Brazil Senate approves 'Lei Joca' permitting pets up to 50 kg in airplane cabins

The Brazilian Senate passed the so‑called Lei Joca, a bill that would allow dogs and cats weighing up to 50 kg to travel inside the passenger cabin of commercial flights. The legislation, named after a Golden Retriever that died in an airborne incident in 2024, requires owners to buy an additional ticket for the animal and mandates onboard monitoring protocols, trained staff, vaccination and behavior standards, and a limit on the number of pets per flight.

The proposal has been sent back to the Chamber of Deputies for further debate and a final vote. It will only become law after approval by the lower house and sanction by the President. Until then, airlines continue to apply existing limits of 7‑10 kg per pet‑carrier in the cabin, with heavier animals sent to cargo under ANAC regulations.