Air Madagascar

How Air Madagascar accepts animals

Air Madagascar (IATA: MD) carries live animals under the IATA Live Animals Regulations and only with prior airline approval. Space for pets is limited on each flight and some aircraft or routes may not accept animals, so it’s essential to request carriage when you book and wait for confirmation. As a rule, very small cats and dogs may be allowed to travel with you in the cabin, while larger pets are transported in the hold in temperature‑controlled, pressurized compartments. Certain species must move as air cargo via a freight agent, and local laws can override airline permission. In all cases, your request is reviewed case‑by‑case against the route, aircraft type, season, and your documentation.

Carriers, sizes and weights

For cabin travel, your pet must remain inside a secure, ventilated carrier that fits entirely under the seat in front of you; carriers cannot be placed on laps or partially under seats. Soft‑sided carriers are often easiest because they flex slightly, but they must be leak‑proof with a stable base and ample ventilation. Under‑seat space varies by aircraft (ATR turboprops are tighter than Boeing narrow‑bodies), so Air Madagascar will confirm the exact maximum at booking; as a planning guide—not an official limit—many travelers look at compact carriers around 45 × 35 × 20–25 cm. Whatever you choose, your pet must be able to stand, turn, and lie down naturally, and the carrier must stay closed from boarding to arrival.

Air Madagascar also applies a combined weight limit for cabin acceptance (pet plus carrier). If you exceed it, your animal travels in the hold in an IATA‑compliant rigid kennel with metal door, secure fasteners, absorbent bedding, and attached water container; wheels must be removed or locked. Extremely heavy animals or oversized crates may need to travel as manifest cargo instead of checked baggage—industry practice often caps checked‑baggage animals around 32 kg per crate, but the airline will decide based on aircraft and route. Some brachycephalic (snub‑nosed) breeds may require reinforced CR82‑type crates, and travel can be restricted during hot weather for safety.

Documents and health rules

Documents differ by origin, transit, and destination, and Madagascar has its own veterinary import procedures. Typically you’ll need proof of rabies vaccination, a recent veterinary health certificate, and identification by ISO‑compatible microchip; many destinations impose waiting periods after vaccination. For entry to or transit through French territories (such as Réunion or Mayotte) or the EU, rules are stricter and may include an antibody titre test and an EU‑format certificate or pet passport. CITES permits are mandatory for protected species, and endemic Malagasy wildlife (for example, lemurs) is not permitted as pets. Start early: some paperwork takes weeks to months, and airlines cannot board animals whose timelines don’t meet legal requirements.

When you request approval with MD, be ready to share scanned copies of key papers. The checklist below covers what is most commonly asked for; your circumstances may require more:

• Rabies vaccination record within the destination’s validity window
• Veterinary health certificate issued shortly before departure
• ISO 11784/11785 microchip number (and a microchip scanner if non‑ISO)
• Madagascar import/export permit from the competent veterinary authority, if applicable
• Transit/entry documents for every stop (EU/French territories) and any required CITES permits

Fees, species and route restrictions

A dedicated pet fee applies whether your animal travels in the cabin or in the hold, and it is charged per flight segment; the amount varies by route and by whether the animal is in cabin, checked as baggage, or shipped as cargo. Only a limited number of pets are accepted per flight and certain seating areas (bulkheads/exit rows) are off‑limits, so early requests help secure a spot. Air Madagascar generally accepts only pet cats and dogs for passenger carriage; rodents, reptiles, and birds are restricted or cargo‑only, and primates are not accepted as pets. Very young, sick, or pregnant animals, nursing litters, and high‑risk breeds in extreme temperatures may be refused for welfare reasons. If your itinerary includes another airline or a transit point with stricter laws (for example, French territories), the most restrictive policy applies to the whole journey.

Preparation tips that make a difference

Good preparation is the single best way to make the journey smoother for your companion. Reserve the pet service as soon as you have flights in mind and wait for written pre‑approval before buying a carrier. Crate‑train well in advance so the kennel feels familiar: feed inside it, add a worn T‑shirt for scent, and try short trial rides. Avoid tranquilizers unless your veterinarian prescribes them for air travel; at altitude, sedation can depress breathing and mask distress. On the day, offer a light meal well before departure, provide water, and allow ample exercise before you head to the airport.

Arrive earlier than usual and bring printed and digital copies of all documents; keep one set taped to the crate and one in your carry‑on. At check‑in, declare your animal so staff can complete live‑animal acceptance and security screening without rushing. Build generous connection times and avoid midday heat where possible; if heat embargoes apply, ask the airline to rebook to a cooler time. On arrival, expect possible veterinary inspection before customs and arrange pet‑friendly ground transport in advance. Finally, policies can change without notice—before you pack the leash, contact Air Madagascar or your travel agent to confirm the latest approvals, fees, and aircraft‑specific limits.

Age categories at a glance

For Air Madagascar (now marketed as Madagascar Airlines, IATA: MD), ages are the starting point for every rule. An infant is generally a child under 2 years old on the day of travel; a child is from 2 to 11; and an adult is 12 and up. These cut‑offs affect whether a seat is required, how tickets are priced, and what baggage is included. If your child turns 2 before the return flight, plan for a paid seat on that sector. For minors traveling without a parent, MD offers an unaccompanied minor service on selected routes (usually mandatory for ages 5–11 and optional up to 15/16); request it in advance and bring any consent letters required by Madagascar and transit/arrival countries.

Seats and tickets for infants

You can fly with an infant either as a “lap infant” (no separate seat) or by purchasing a seat so your baby can ride in an approved car seat. Lap infants pay a reduced infant fare plus taxes and do not occupy a seat; only one lap infant is allowed per adult, and a second infant with the same adult must have their own seat. Buying a seat often makes long sectors easier, especially if you’ll use a car seat, and it can simplify meal and baggage arrangements. MD’s long‑haul flights may offer bassinets at bulkhead rows; these are limited, must be requested early (ideally 48–72 hours before departure), and have strict size/weight limits (typically around 10–11 kg and 70–75 cm). Because aircraft types and layouts vary, always confirm bassinet availability for your exact flight number before you choose seats.

If you plan to use a car seat onboard, pick a window seat and avoid exit rows and seats with airbag seat belts. Choose a model with clear approval markings such as “For use in aircraft” (ECE R44/04, UN R129 i‑Size, FAA, or equivalent) and make sure it fits the seat width. Rear‑facing seats are usually permitted for younger infants within the airline’s installation rules; forward‑facing seats are common for older toddlers who meet the seat’s limits. Crew may ask you to demonstrate the installation with the lap belt; bring any locking clip your seat requires. When a seat is not purchased, the car seat must be checked or gate‑checked, and the infant will be secured using the airline’s approved method during taxi, takeoff, and landing.

Baggage rules for little travelers

For children aged 2 and above with their own seat, the cabin and checked baggage allowance typically mirrors the adult allowance associated with the ticketed fare and route (piece concept on many international routes; weight concept common on regional/domestic sectors). Check your e‑ticket’s “Free Baggage Allowance” line, as some light fares reduce checked bags even for children. Infants without a seat usually receive a small checked allowance and may carry a diaper bag in the cabin; policies vary by fare and sector, but MD commonly accepts one collapsible stroller or car seat free of charge. If your e‑ticket shows “INF 10K” or similar, that indicates the infant’s checked allowance; if not, assume only the free infant equipment is accepted and pack accordingly. In the cabin, keep liquids like formula, sterilized water, and baby food separate for security screening—reasonable quantities for infant care are permitted even above standard liquid limits.

A simple, traveler‑friendly program

If you fly to, from, or within Madagascar, Air Madagascar’s loyalty program is a straightforward way to turn regular trips into future savings and comfort. It’s built for island hoppers as much as long‑haul travelers connecting through Antananarivo, rewarding you for both distance and frequency. While the network is compact, the program’s earn‑and‑burn rules are easy to grasp and the elite perks are genuinely useful on busy travel days. As the airline transitions under the Madagascar Airlines brand, policies are being refreshed; it’s wise to double‑check details before a big redemption.

Membership tiers and how to qualify

You’ll start as a basic Member and can climb to Silver and Gold status. Qualification is based on status miles (from distance and fare class) or on a set number of eligible flight segments within a 12‑month period. Flights marketed and operated by Air Madagascar, including domestic services historically operated by Tsaradia, count toward status; select codeshare flights may also qualify when ticketed on the MD code. Requalification follows the same pattern, so consistent travel—rather than a single long trip—can be just as effective. If you fall short, expect a standard reset at the end of your qualification year rather than a long grace period.

At the entry level, you simply earn and redeem miles. Silver recognizes regulars with frontline conveniences like priority services and a small baggage boost. Gold is the program’s top tier, unlocking lounge access and the broadest set of fee waivers and priority lanes. The progression is intentionally compact, which keeps the benefits meaningful and easy to understand.

Earning miles and points

You earn miles on Air Madagascar‑marketed tickets, with accrual tied to booking class: fully flexible fares earn the most, discounted economy earns less, and some deep‑discount classes may not earn at all. Status miles accrue alongside redeemable miles on eligible fares, accelerating your path to Silver and Gold. When you fly a partner on an MD‑coded itinerary, accrual typically follows Air Madagascar’s tables—always check the fare basis and keep your boarding passes until the credit posts.

Beyond flights, non‑air earning is modest but not nonexistent. The airline periodically partners with local hotels, car rental agencies, and travel services around Madagascar and the Indian Ocean. These offers rotate, so it pays to look for limited‑time promotions before you book ground services. Posting times vary; retro‑claims are usually possible within a defined window if you forget to add your membership number.

Fleet snapshot

As of late 2024–early 2025, Air Madagascar—now trading as Madagascar Airlines but still using IATA code MD—operates a compact, dynamic fleet tailored to the realities of island flying. The backbone is a mix of ATR 72-500/-600 and ATR 42-500 turboprops, typically totaling about six to eight active aircraft depending on season and maintenance. A single Boeing 737-800 is brought in or rotated out for regional peaks and longer stage lengths when demand warrants. For the Paris–Antananarivo trunk, the carrier relies on a seasonally adjusted, wet‑leased widebody (most often an Airbus A330 or similar twin‑aisle) rather than a permanently based long‑haul jet. This flexible approach allows the airline to match capacity with demand while keeping costs in check.

The workhorses and the onboard feel

The ATR 72 is the everyday workhorse, with a 2‑2 cabin and roughly 68–72 seats in single class, built for quick turnarounds on short hops across Madagascar and the Indian Ocean. You’ll notice the practical cabin: good window views, short taxi times, and bins adequate for compact carry‑ons, all optimized for frequent, short sectors. The smaller ATR 42 (about 48–50 seats) serves thinner routes and airports with tighter performance margins, mirroring the ATR 72’s service rhythm. When a 737-800 is available, it typically handles denser regional missions; layouts can vary by lease, but expect either an all‑economy arrangement or a two‑class setup around 12 business and 150 economy seats. On the Paris route, wet‑leased A330s generally feature two cabins and modern IFE, though exact seat counts vary with the operating partner.

Newest and oldest aircraft

The newest metal in regular service is usually the ATR 72-600, bringing updated avionics, quieter cabins, and refreshed interiors for a smoother ride. These frames joined from the mid‑2010s onward and are gradually taking more of the domestic workload. At the other end of the spectrum, some ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 airframes date back to the early 2000s, sustained by diligent maintenance and periodic cabin refreshes. The 737-800 examples used by MD tend to be mid‑life jets from the late 2000s or early 2010s that cycle through via lease. For long‑haul, aircraft age and interior style depend entirely on the lessor, but passengers can generally expect contemporary cabins.

What to expect by route and cabin

On most domestic and short regional flights, you’ll be offered a simple snack—think a small sweet or savory bite—plus water or juice. As flight time increases, the tray grows: on medium regional sectors a light cold meal or a hot snack is common, usually with bread and a small dessert. For long‑haul services (such as flights to/from Europe), Economy Class typically receives a hot meal with a choice of main (often poultry or fish, with a vegetarian option when loaded), salad, bread, and dessert, followed later by a second service like breakfast or a substantial snack. Timing can be adjusted for overnight departures, and menu details may differ depending on where the catering is loaded. Because aircraft and suppliers can vary, expect small differences from one route to another.

If you’re traveling in the premium cabin, the service is more elaborate. Even on shorter routes, you can expect an upgraded snack or light meal presented on a larger tray with a broader drink selection. On long‑haul, Business Class usually adds a plated starter, your choice of main course, and a separate dessert service, with coffee or tea to finish. Portions and presentation are more refined, and crews may pace courses so you can rest between them. When time is tight, the same quality items may be combined into a single, efficient service.

Special diets and allergies

Air Madagascar (branded Madagascar Airlines on many documents) accepts common IATA special meals on most international flights. Request yours at least 48 hours before departure through the call center, your travel agent, or the “manage booking” path if available. Typical options include vegetarian (both vegan and non‑vegan), gluten‑free, child meal, low‑salt, and diabetes‑friendly choices; religious meals such as Muslim/Halal are usually possible ex‑major stations. Availability on short domestic or regional hops can be limited, so it’s wise to confirm when you book. If a special meal isn’t offered on your sector, bringing sealed snacks that meet security rules is a practical backup.

For allergies, the airline cannot guarantee a nut‑ or allergen‑free environment, as catering and cabin surfaces are shared. If you’re highly sensitive, let the airline know early, carry your medication, and wipe down your seating area. Crews can avoid serving open‑nut items nearby when possible, but cross‑contact risks remain. When in doubt, choose the simplest dishes and verify ingredients politely with the cabin crew.

Drinks and alcohol onboard

What you’ll find on board

Air Madagascar (MD) keeps entertainment simple and practical, with options that depend strongly on the aircraft and route you’re flying. On most domestic services—often operated by turboprops—there is typically no built‑in in‑flight entertainment, so your own phone or tablet will be your best companion. Some regional and longer routes may feature either overhead monitors for shared content or, on select aircraft and partner‑operated services, individual seatback screens. When seatback systems are available, you can expect a standard mix of movies, TV episodes, music, the moving map, and sometimes basic games. Because fleets and leases can rotate, availability varies by aircraft and route, so it’s worth checking your booking details a day or two before departure.

How to watch and listen

Access is straightforward when seatback screens are provided—simply plug in your headphones and browse the menu. Air Madagascar does not currently promote a wireless streaming portal, so you shouldn’t rely on streaming to a personal device from an onboard server. Power supply can be limited; some aircraft have few or no outlets, so bring a charged device and a power bank to stay comfortable. If you plan to use the cabin audio, pack wired headphones; on older seats, a dual‑pin adapter can be helpful, though many jacks are standard 3.5 mm.

Variety and quality of content

Where installed, the catalog is modest but covers the essentials: a handful of recent releases, recognizable classics, short‑form TV, and family choices. Audio sections usually include regional and international music, which can be a pleasant way to sample Malagasy sounds alongside global playlists. Interfaces on older systems may feel basic and screen resolution can vary, but the moving map and flight data remain a reliable highlight. Language availability leans toward French and English; subtitle and dubbing options differ by title, so it’s smart to check audio settings on each selection.

Cabin differences you might notice

Entertainment differences are mostly tied to the aircraft rather than the fare you purchased. On flights with a full IFE system, Business Class typically enjoys a larger screen and more comfortable, over‑ear headphones, while Economy shares the same catalog on smaller displays. On domestic and short regional hops, both cabins may have little to no built‑in entertainment, making your own device the primary option. It’s a good idea to set expectations accordingly on shorter sectors.

Wi‑Fi and connectivity