Aer Lingus

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Aer Lingus accepts trained service dogs for passengers with a disability or reduced mobility. A trained service dog must be individually trained to perform tasks for the passenger's benefit.

Only dogs are accepted as service animals in the cabin. Pets, emotional support animals, or service animals in training are not accepted on board.

General Requirements

• Service dogs must be clean, well-behaved, and harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times.
• The following breeds must be securely muzzled and led by a person aged 16 or older capable of controlling the dog:
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bull Mastiff
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • English Bull Terrier
  • German Shepherd (Alsatian)
  • Japanese Akita
• Contact the Special Assistance team as early as possible, and at least 24 hours before departure, to arrange seating.
• Service dogs must fit at your feet, under your seat, or in your lap. More than one dog or a large dog may not be seated in your lap.
• If the dog is in a kennel, the kennel must fit under the seat in front of you.
• In business class, the lie-flat seat feature is forfeited to accommodate the service dog on the floor.
• Service dogs may not be seated in exit rows or block aisles.
• Service dogs travel free if they fit in the allotted space. If not, you may need to pay for an additional seat, rebook, or transport the dog as a pet.
• Final approval for travel is determined at the airport based on the dog fitting safely in the allotted space.

Flights Within Europe

• Trained service dogs must have an Assistance Dog Identification Card from a qualifying organization.
• Dogs must be trained by organizations affiliated with the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
• Documentation proving affiliation must be provided.
• Notify Aer Lingus via special assistance request at least 48 hours before travel.
• One service dog per passenger travels free, except on connecting flights to/from USA and Canada.

Flights To/From North America

• Passengers to/from the USA must submit the US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form before travel.
• For flights 8 hours or longer, a US DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form is also required.
• New US CDC requirements for service dogs apply from 01 August 2024.
• Passengers to/from Canada or Barbados must submit the Service Animal Air Transportation Form before travel.
• Documentation must be submitted at least 48 hours before the flight via the Special Assistance Request Form for bookings made 48 hours or more in advance.
• For bookings made less than 48 hours before departure, documentation can be presented at check-in or gate.
• Two service dogs per passenger are allowed free of charge on flights to/from North America, including connecting flights to Europe.
• Aer Lingus may refuse carriage if required documentation is not provided before boarding.

If you have difficulty accessing required forms, contact the Special Assistance team.

Emotional Support Animals

Airlines decide individually whether to allow animals providing other types of assistance, such as emotional support, to accompany passengers in the cabin.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine permits pets (cats or dogs) to travel in the cabin or as excess baggage when accompanied by their owners.

• The airline has the final decision on where the animal travels on the plane.
• There is no ban or embargo on pets entering Ireland.
• Your pet must arrive in Ireland with you, or within five days before or after your travel if accompanied by an authorized person.
• Original paperwork must accompany your pet at all times.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Before your journey, feed your pet a light meal and allow it to urinate and defecate before placing it in its container.

During the flight, pets are stored in the aircraft's hold, which is temperature-controlled and unlit to help pets settle and travel better.

Ensure your pet meets pre-entry requirements. It is advisable to have a vet check that the microchip is readable, as microchips can migrate within the body.

Pet Travel Container Requirements

• Minimum container size for cats departing from the USA and Canada: 200 series kennel (27" L x 20" W x 19" H / 68cm x 50cm x 48cm).
• For all other countries, series 100 kennels are acceptable.
• Snub-nosed dogs and cats require a container 10% larger than the minimum size.
• Container must be strong, secure, and have ventilation on all four sides to maintain air quality.
• Door must be secured to prevent accidental opening or escape during handling and transport.
• Nose and paws must not fit through any ventilation openings or door mesh.
• Container must include a water pot accessible from the outside, secured and proportionate to the pet's size without taking excessive floor space.
• Fibreboard, wire mesh, and wicker containers are not suitable for air transportation.
• Minimum internal dimensions must allow pets to stand and sit erect without touching the top and to turn around comfortably.
• Allow extra room if placing a blanket or bedding inside the kennel.