Travelling with an assistance dog | Finnair Singapore

Travelling with an assistance dog

Assistance dogs, such as guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs, are warmly welcome to travel with you free of charge on board all our flights. 

Please carefully review the instructions below if you are flying with an assistance dog.

Bringing your assistance dog on your flight 

An assistance dog is trained to support a person with a disability or medical condition in various environments. 

The assistance dogs listed below are welcome to travel in the cabin on our flights, free of charge, provided that they have completed qualified training and hold a valid certificate. The dog must travel together with the person it assists. Assistance dogs in training are transported in the aircraft hold. Learn more about booking a flight for a pet travelling in the hold

We accept certificates from training organisations that are accredited members of the following associations:

  • Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
  • Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu)  
  • An official guide dog card issued by the Finnish Guide Dog Association is also accepted as valid certification.

Required documents must be submitted to us before your flight so we can approve your dog for cabin travel. Please see the bottom of this page for detailed instructions on how to notify us about your dog. 

Assistance and service dogs accepted in cabinRequired documents
Guide dogs and hearing dogs that assist individuals with vision or hearing lossCertificate of training
Diabetic alert dogs and seizure alert dogsCertificate of training 
Dogs trained to assist physically impaired people in daily lifeCertificate of training 
Psychiatric service dogs* (only on flights to/from the United States)U.S. DOT Service Animal forms  

* On our direct flights to or from the United States, passengers are permitted to travel with a psychiatric service dog, that is individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Please note that emotional support animals are no longer classified as service animals under the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, and Finnair will no longer accept or accommodate the emotional support animal classification.

For direct flights to or from the United States, you need to complete and submit only the following U.S. DOT Service Animal forms to us before your flight:

Furthermore, there are country-specific regulations for example in Great Britain and Iceland. Please make sure to check the country-specific restrictions in advance from local authorities.

Before your travel

You must inform us at least 48 hours before your flight departure if you are traveling with your assistance dog. You can inform us about the dog through the special assistance form. Log in to Manage Booking to see the status of your request, and when the place for your dog has been confirmed.

When submitting the special assistance form, please remember to: 

  • Let us know your dog’s breed and size (height and weight).
  • Attach the required documents (see the list of required documents above).
  • Inform us if you need also assistance services at the airport.
Fill in the special assistance form

Please consider the following when preparing to travel with your dog:

  • Make sure your dog has the required vaccinations and certificates for both the departure and destination countries.
  • Make sure that you have completed all the required certificates and forms.
  • Flying can be exciting for animals, so we recommend that you accustom your dog to travel and various situations that may arise during the journey in advance.
  • We recommend that your dog wears a vest or other identifier indicating it is on a work assignment.

At the airport 

If you need assistance services, please arrive at least two hours before your flight departure

You can familiarize yourself with airport services on their websites. For example, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has toilets for dogs.

During the flight 

Please consider the following during the flight: 

  • Your assistance dog may travel on the floor in front of your seat.
  • Your dog must remain harnessed throughout the flight.
  • When the fasten seatbelt sign is on, the dog should be under the seat in front.
  • If you are travelling in Premium Economy or Business Class, your dog may limit the use of your seat’s leg rest.
  • Please note that the cabin crew is not able to take care of your dog's needs during the flight.

If you are wondering whether there is enough space for your dog in the cabin, ask for more information through the special assistance form.

After the flight

If you have prebooked assistance service, an airport assistant will come to meet you at your seat or at the aircraft door after your flight. Other passengers will disembark first so you can leave the aircraft at your own pace. The assistant will escort you through the arrivals hall to your next mode of transportation. If you have a connecting flight, the assistant will escort you to your next flight's departure gate. 

When arriving in the United Kingdom with a dog, you must remain on board the aircraft. A local official will meet you to inspect your dog and verify its documentation. 

Please be aware that other countries may also have specific regulations requiring your dog to be inspected upon arrival.

Read more if you are travelling with a working dog on an official search or rescue mission.

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