Service Dogs
Service Dogs are specially trained to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities. Service Dogs can include Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Mobility Assistance Dogs or any other assistance dog that assist a person with a disability.
All Service Dogs carried by Qantas in the aircraft cabin must be registered as a service animal.
Qantas allows Service Dogs to travel in the aircraft cabin on all domestic and single-sector international flights. From 1 March 2006, as a result of changes to UK quarantine regulations, Qantas also allows the carriage of Service Dogs to the United Kingdom, via Singapore only.
For a Service Dog to travel with you in the aircraft cabin you must:
- Confirm that the Service Dog is registered as a service animal at the time of booking.
- Carry and present a recognised Service Dog ID card or documentation at the time of check-in.
- Provide documentation that confirms that the Service Dog has been trained to an acceptable level (where requested).
- Provide evidence of your disability and how the Service Dog assists to alleviate the effect of that disability (where requested).
Quarantine
When travelling internationally, you must check restrictions and regulations concerning the uplift, transit, disembarkation, inoculation and quarantine of your animal. You must ensure correct documentation (such as inoculation certificates and entry permits) is available for your Service Dog to depart the country of origin, be accepted into the country of arrival and re-enter the country of origin (if required). All documentation should be carried in your carry on baggage at all times.
- Information regarding Australian quarantine regulations can be found on the AQIS website.
- Quarantine information related to Service Dogs travelling to the United Kingdom can be found on the Defra website.
- For all other countries, refer to the local authority.
Qantas will not, under any circumstance accept liability if your Service Dog is not approved for quarantine clearance at the destination or when entering Australia.
Fares
There are no special fare concessions for passengers travelling with a Service Dog, however the Service Dog will be carried without charge.
Service Dogs lie on an absorbent mat either in front of your seat in Business and First or in front of the adjacent seat in Economy. The additional seat in Economy is provided free of charge.
Making a Booking
Contact your local Qantas office to make a booking or to obtain more information. Ensure you advise the consultant if you are travelling with a Service Dog.
If you book on qantas.com, you must advise your local Qantas office immediately after you have purchased your ticket to confirm your special arrangements. Alternatively, you can e-mail your special arrangements through our feedback page.
Travel to the United Kingdom
If you choose to travel to the UK with a Service Dog, you are required to provide a collapsible crate. The crate is for use in the unlikely event of a diversion. This is a Defra (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) requirement for carriage. The crate is only a requirement when entering the UK. Qantas will accept the carriage of the crate in the aircraft cabin free of charge to and from the UK.
If you choose to travel to the UK with a Service Dog, you must sign a Declaration Form at check-in. The Declaration Form states that it is your responsibility to ensure that your Service Dog meets Defra's entry requirements as per the PETS Travel Scheme. The Declaration Forms are available at the check-in counters at the airport.
If the aircraft is diverted to a 'non approved' country as defined by AQIS or the equivalent organisation, Qantas will assist where possible but under no circumstances will Qantas accept liability if the animal is no longer approved for quarantine clearance at the destination or when entering Australia.
