Air China

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Starting February 1, 2025, Air China will temporarily suspend the transportation of dogs, including guide and hearing dogs traveling with disabled passengers, on flights to the United States.

Service dogs are specially trained to assist disabled individuals, including guide dogs and hearing dogs. Emotional comfort dogs are not considered service dogs and must follow small animal transport rules.

• Passengers with visual or auditory disabilities traveling with service dogs in-cabin must be at least 16 years old.
• Service dogs must have the following certificates presented at ticket purchase and travel:
  • Valid official quarantine certificates, rabies vaccination certificates, and professional training certificates issued by the departure, transit, or destination country.
  • Valid microchips when entering China or on international/regional transit domestic flights.
• Passengers should verify quarantine regulations of entry-exit countries in advance to ensure compliance.
• If a dog transport booking to the U.S. was made before the suspension, ticket changes or refunds are available.
• Reservations for service dogs must be made through Air China ticket offices or authorized agents at least 48 hours before departure.

Check-in

• Arrive at the check-in counter with the service dog at least 120 minutes before departure.
• No additional fees apply for service dogs meeting boarding requirements.
• If checked, service dogs travel free of charge with container and food; their weight does not count toward baggage allowance.
• Disabled passengers with service dogs cannot occupy emergency exit seats or upper cabin seats on Boeing B747 aircraft.
• Terminal assistance is provided for disabled passengers with service dogs unless restricted by local authorities.

In-flight Service

• Support is provided to disabled passengers traveling alone with service dogs as much as possible.
• Assistance with eating, toileting, excretory functions on seats, or medical services is not provided.
• Service dogs must wear a work shirt and towing rope during boarding; mouthpieces may be waived with passenger consent.
• Service dogs must not occupy seats, run freely, or disturb other passengers.
• Passengers are responsible for their service dog's excretion and maintaining cabin hygiene.
• Passengers bear liability for any injury or damage caused by their service dogs.
• There are limits on the number of disabled passengers with service dogs per aircraft; early booking is advised.

Compartment Carrier Details

China quarantine requirements

Based on Announcement No. 5 [2019] of the General Administration of Customs of China.

• Only cats or dogs (including service dogs) allowed. One pet per person.
• Must provide valid quarantine certificates and rabies vaccination certificates from official agencies.
• Pets must have ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchips (15-digit numeric code). - If not compliant, owner must provide their own compatible reader.
• Pets must undergo 30-day quarantine at designated China Customs facilities unless exempt (see below).

Exemptions from 30-day quarantine

• Designated countries/territories: Pets from 19 specific regions (e.g., New Zealand, Australia, UK, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, etc.) → If microchipped and pass on-site quarantine.
• Non-designated countries: Allowed if microchipped, pass on-site quarantine, and provide a valid rabies antibody test (≥ 0.5 IU/ml, from an approved lab).
• Guide dogs, hearing dogs, search/rescue dogs: Allowed if microchipped, pass on-site quarantine, and owner presents valid user + training certificates.

Pet container requirements

• Pets requiring quarantine must arrive through ports equipped with quarantine facilities.
• The General Administration of Customs of China publishes an updated list of such ports on its official website.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Key rules

• One pet may be checked per passenger.
• Max weight: 32 kg (70 lb) total including carrier, food, and water.
• Check-in deadline: Arrive and complete pet check-in ≥ 120 minutes before departure.
• You must sign a liability waiver on the back of the baggage tag at check-in.
• No interline service: Not available with other airlines.
• Customs notice: If entry rules are not met, pets may be repatriated or destroyed by Customs; the airline is not liable.

Pet carrier requirements

• Use an air-travel approved carrier, secured properly. For detachable roofs, all latches, nuts, bolts must be present and intact.
• Door security: Add an extra external lock (e.g., cable tie/clip) that does not harm the pet.
• Carrier must be acceptable to Air China; non-compliant carriers will be refused.

Dimensions

• Contact Air China in advance to confirm carrier fits aircraft door and hold capacity.
• Carrier must allow the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally.

Materials

• Allowed: fiberglass, metal, rigid plastic, welded mesh, hardwood.
• Not suitable: containers made entirely of welded mesh or wire solder.

Ventilation

• Holes in the upper third of the walls on three sides (excluding the door).
• At least 16% of total wall surface area must be ventilation.
• Extra holes may be added on the top/sides as needed.
• All openings must be wire-mesh covered to prevent paws/nose from extending out.

Doors & handling

• Door forms one end of the container and must have a sliding chain or hinge lock.
• Doors must be welded metal, strong enough to resist bending/damage.
• Plastic-shell carriers: door must have ≥ 1.6 cm top/bottom protuberances for hinges/locking pins.
• Spacer bars/handles should be fitted along the mid-outer walls on both sides for handling and protection.

Floors

• Solid floor to prevent leakage; provide absorbent bedding (no straw).

Roofs

• Solid roof; ventilation across the roof is allowed if it does not reduce structural integrity.

Food & water

• Carrier must have a fixed water container that can be refilled from outside without opening the door.
• Feed containers must be fixed inside or firmly attached; you may attach food externally for possible delays.