A guide dog

Begleithund

An assistance/guide dog is an appropriately trained and specially marked dog, in particular a guide dog of a blind or visually impaired person, and a dog assisting a person with a physical dysfunction, which helps the person actively participate in social life.

An assistance/guide dog:

  • is transported in the passenger cabin free of charge,
  • does not have to be placed in a transport container,
  • must have a harness,
  • does not have to wear a muzzle, but for safety reasons please bring one with you,
  • should be protected against any possible contact with other passengers on board (e.g. kept on a harness),
  • is not subject to any weight limits.

Please remember that you need to hold all the required documents, including a certificate confirming the status of your assistance dog, a certificate of the required veterinary vaccinations, a passport, etc.

Additional requirements on flights to/from the USA

According to the US definition, a service animal (or an assistance animal) means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. 

Under US regulations, if you wish to travel with an assistance animal on flights to/from the USA, you need to remember that:

  • a single passenger may take maximum of two assistance dogs,
  • the passenger must fill in the documents listed below and send them with a contact form 48 hours before the scheduled departure at the latest.

Remember that the assistance dog allowed to travel to from the US in the passenger cabin :  

  • Obediently responds to its owner's commands and behaves appropriately in a public place 
  • Does not pose a direct or indirect risk to the life AND health of fellow passengers. 
  • Does not satisfy physiological needs in the passenger cabin or at the gate, unless this is done in a manner that does not cause health risks or hygienic problems. 
  • Has the necessary documents and its owner has completed the necessary forms for travel on this route

» USA - Service Animal Air Transport Form

» USA - Service Animal Relief Attestation Form

Emotional Support Animal - ESAN

As of April 1, 2021, new bookings of emotional support animals will no longer be accepted. All ESAN bookings made before April 1, 2021 will be realized. Pets that are not trained assistance / guide dogs may be transported for a fee on board (within the permitted quantity and weight limit, in a suitable carrier / cage) or in the hold.

Learn more about travelling with animals