Service Dogs

Find information when travelling with a Guide, Assistance or Hearing Dog. Including definitions, criteria and conditions of carriage you need to know.

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Welcoming Service Dogs onboard

Qantas recognises the important role accredited Service Dogs play in the community and welcomes Service Dogs in the aircraft cabin when they meet our Criteria for Carriage. These criteria reflect our safety obligations and requirements under the Civil Aviation Act.

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Criteria for Carriage

Qantas’ focus is always on providing a safe travel experience and the aircraft environment can present unique challenges, so we need to be satisfied that Service Dogs can safely and competently work with their handlers in this environment.

A dog is permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin on a Qantas flight if it:

  • is a Service Dog (Guide, Hearing or Assistance Dog) that has been trained to assist a person with a disability, to alleviate the effects of that disability; and
  • has been trained and certified or accredited by a training organisation or trainer that:
  1. is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI); or
  2. is approved under the Queensland Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Queensland Act); and
  • has a current Public Access Test (PAT) and meets the appropriate standards of hygiene, behaviour and safety for an animal in a public place, including an aircraft cabin; and
  • has not been declared a dangerous dog or restricted breed; and
  • does not have an infectious disease or pose a threat to public health or the health of other animals; and
  • does not exceed 45kg in weight; and
  • does not exceed the applicable length limit for the operating aircraft cabin, as determined by Qantas during the application and booking process.

These are the minimum requirements that Qantas considers necessary to meet its safety obligations, including its civil aviation safety obligations.

Dogs undertaking Service Dog training may be permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin at Qantas’ discretion if they are being trained by a training organisation or trainer that is a full member of ADI or approved under the Queensland Act, where the dog has achieved a standard suitable for travel on public transport, including an aircraft cabin, and the flight is being taken as part of the dog’s final training or for the purpose of delivery. Review the Service Dogs Conditions of Carriage (Section C: Service Dogs Under Training) prior to completing the Application Form.

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Application to travel

If the dog meets all of the Criteria for Carriage

  1. Complete and submit the Application Form [PDF]  at least 14 days prior to travel. Once the Service Dog is approved, this form is valid for future travel and you will not need to complete a new form every time you fly with the approved Service Dog, provided you inform us if there is any material change in your circumstances or those of the dog, such as the dog has retired due to age or illness.
  2. Give Qantas advance notice that you wish to travel with the Service Dog at the time of booking, each time you make a booking, to ensure the appropriate seating arrangements can be made.
  3. Additionally, review and complete the International Declaration Form [PDF] every time you make an international booking at least 14 days prior to travel, as there may be further requirements and limitations depending on your travel destination. 

If the dog does not meet all of the Criteria for Carriage

If the Service Dog has not been trained and certified or accredited by an organisation or trainer that is a full member of ADI or approved under the Queensland Act, we will need more information from you. This information must be provided at least 14 days prior to travel to help us determine if it's safe to carry the Service Dog in the aircraft cabin. You can download the required forms in two formats:

If the dog is not approved to travel in the aircraft cabin, it may be able to travel as a pet in the cargo hold with Qantas Freight

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Preparing for travel

Once the Service Dog has been approved and you have given advance notice that you wish to travel with the Service Dog at the time of booking, follow these simple tips to ensure your journey with us is hassle-free:

  • Bring your identity documents in your carry-on baggage, such as a current identity card issued by your training organisation or trainer.
  • The dog should be wearing its harness, vest, coat and/or medallion to identify it as a Service Dog.
  • On the aircraft, the dog is to be seated on the floor in the space allocated by Qantas adjacent to your seat. Qantas will provide a moisture absorbent mat and the dog is to be secured by its leash to the aircraft seat leg, seat track ring or other tether point approved by Qantas.
  • Review the Service Dogs Conditions of Carriage for more information.
  • Watch this video for what to expect when travelling with a Service Dog on a Qantas aircraft.
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Using Qantas Points

Using Qantas Points for a Classic Flight Reward

You can use Qantas Points when booking via qantas.com or Qantas Contact Centres. If booking via qantas.com, you still need to contact us to advise that you are travelling with a Service Dog.

Upgrading with Qantas Points for a Classic Upgrade Reward

If you’re booked to travel with a Service Dog and you are opting for a Classic Upgrade Reward, you should contact us at least 48 hours in advance of travel to make your request. See how many Qantas Points are required for a Classic Reward Upgrade

Due to the preparation and planning required to carry the dog in the cabin, passengers travelling with a Service Dog are not eligible for the following:

  • Domestic On Departure Point Upgrades (upgrade at the lounge) using Qantas Points
  • International Opt in for upgrades at the airport using Qantas Points.
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Service Dogs FAQs

While many dogs, whether trained or untrained, play a variety of important roles in the community, they are not all considered to be Service Dogs. Ambassador dogs, therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, comfort dogs and facility dogs that are not appropriately trained to perform tasks to alleviate the effects of a person’s disability are not considered to be Service Dogs.

Dogs undertaking Service Dog training may be permitted in the aircraft cabin at Qantas’ discretion, where:

  • it is being trained by an organisation or trainer that is a full member of ADI or approved under the Queensland Act; and
  • it has achieved a standard suitable for travel on public transport, including an aircraft cabin, and
  • the flight is being taken as part of the dog’s final training and/or for the purpose of delivery.

Service Dogs Under Training are limited to a maximum of:

  • two individual domestic Economy flights (eg: a return city pair such as SYD-MEL-SYD) for the purpose of travelling to experience the aircraft environment prior to certification, where each flight should not exceed three hours; and
  • one domestic Economy flight for the purpose of delivery.

Service Dogs Under Training are not carried on international flights operated by Qantas. 

Qantas does not accept animals other than approved Service Dogs to travel in the aircraft cabin.

Approved Service Dogs and Service Dogs Under Training can travel in the aircraft cabin free of charge, provided they comply with all of the Service Dogs Conditions of Carriage, as determined by Qantas.

The information on this page relates to flights operated by Qantas and QantasLink only. If you are travelling on a codeshare flight operated by another carrier, you and the dog must seek approval for carriage and meet the requirements of that carrier.  

Yes, however make sure you provide your booking reference when you contact us with advance notice that you wish to travel with your Service Dog to ensure the appropriate seating arrangements can be made.  

A Service Dog must not exceed the 45kg in order to travel in the aircraft cabin.
If a Service Dog exceeds the length limitations of the operating aircraft, as determined by Qantas during the application process, you may be able to:

  • pay for an additional seat or seats; or
  • travel on a different aircraft type; or
  • travel in a different cabin, noting that some restrictions may apply.

Alternatively, the Service Dog may be able to travel as a pet in the cargo hold with Qantas Freight 

Currency of a PAT is determined by the certifying or accrediting organisation or authority. For example, full members of ADI require dogs in their programs to undertake a PAT annually in order to hold a current and valid Identity Card.  

You will need to determine if the dog is a dangerous dog or restricted breed prior to submitting your Application to Qantas by referring to your local government authority, local council or the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Generally yes, pending seat availability. Contact us to let us know you are travelling with your Service Dog so we can confirm the appropriate seating arrangements.

Most countries that Qantas operates to have strict animal import regulations which must be adhered to. It is strongly recommended that these requirements are checked with the relevant local authorities before making your booking. You should ensure that any requirements stipulated at transit ports and your country of origin are also checked prior to booking.

The International Travel Declaration Form [PDF]  will provide further detail about additional requirements and will need to be completed at least 14 days prior to departure.

 

Although rare, diversions or extended transits can occur on international services, in particular on flights to or from the United Kingdom. The use of a crate may be recommended or required, either by the local authorities or the authorities at the planned destination, to ensure that the Service Dog has remained separated from other animals from a biosecurity perspective.

Qantas' highest priorities in this situation are:

  • for the handler and Service Dog to remain together and safe, whilst also complying with any local laws in that country; and
  • to seek guidance from the planned destination quarantine authority as to what actions should be taken whilst at the transit port, in the interests of the Service Dog and the handler.

 

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Important information

Refer to the Service Dogs Conditions of Carriage for more information.