Air India

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Air India permits trained service dogs to fly in the cabin free of charge, subject to country-specific regulations.

A service animal is defined as a dog individually trained to perform tasks for a qualified individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disabilities.

Travel Requirements for Service Dogs

• Must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered and under control at all times.
• Must be clean, well-behaved, and fit at your feet, under the seat, or in your lap (lap animals must be smaller than a two-year-old child).
• Must not be seated in an exit row, block aisles, or occupy a passenger seat.

Final approval for travel is confirmed at the airport after verifying the animal fits safely at your feet.

For flights on partner airlines, contact the partner airline directly to complete required forms and documents.

If the Animal is Too Large or Heavy

• Rebook a flight with more open seats.
• Purchase extra seats to accommodate the animal (the animal cannot occupy a passenger seat).
• Transport the animal as a checked pet free of charge.

Animal Behaviour Guidelines

• Service dogs must be properly trained to behave appropriately at the airport and onboard.
• Disruptive behaviours such as running freely, repeated barking or growling, biting or attempting to bite, lunging at people, or urinating/defecating are not permitted.

If disruptive behaviour is not corrected, the animal will be treated as a pet and all pet fees and requirements will apply.

Flying with a Service Animal on US-Bound Flights

Air India recognizes dogs as service animals assisting qualified passengers on flights to or from the United States, in accordance with US Department of Transportation regulations.

Psychiatric service dogs are permitted on direct US flights; only dogs are recognized as psychiatric service animals. Passengers may bring up to two psychiatric service dogs on US-bound flights.

Required Paperwork for Flights to and from the US

• Submit completed US Department of Transportation forms up to 48 hours before the flight. If ticketed less than 48 hours before departure, forms may be completed at the airport.
• Service Animal Air Transportation Form: attests to the animal’s health, training, and behaviour.
• Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (for flights over 8 hours): confirms the animal does not need to relieve itself or can do so without health or sanitation issues. Bring absorbent mats if needed.

US CDC Suspension for High-Risk Countries

The US CDC has temporarily suspended dog imports, including service dogs, from countries considered high-risk, including India.

Additional documentation is required to comply with federal, territorial, or foreign jurisdiction regulations beyond the standard DOT forms.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals are not considered service animals by Air India.

They may travel as pets under the airline's pet travel policy.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

Please book your flight at least 72 hours before departure to travel with pets in the cabin. Multi-city bookings are not allowed when travelling with a pet.

• Standard excess baggage charges apply based on weight or piece, regardless of free baggage allowance.
• Pet carriage weight, including containers or carriers, is excluded from free baggage allowance.
• Charges depend on the combined weight of your pet, container (kennel, cage, or bag), and pet belongings (e.g., food).

We welcome domesticated dogs and cats in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage in the aircraft hold, subject to Air India approval.

• Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin and 3 months or older for cargo hold travel.
• Pregnant pets are not allowed; inform us if your pet has given birth within 48 hours.
• All dog and cat breeds are allowed in the cabin; however, snub-nosed or flat-faced breeds are not permitted in the cargo hold due to health risks.
• Pets must be muzzled and on a leash during the flight.

The carriage rules based on combined weight of pet and container:

• Under 7 kg (15 lb): travel in the cabin.
• Over 7 kg (15 lb) and under 32 kg (70 lb): travel as checked baggage.
• Over 32 kg (70 lb): must be carried as cargo.

Pet carriers must be soft, ventilated bags or kennels not exceeding 46 cm x 46 cm x 30 cm (18 in x 18 in x 11 in).

• Only two pets are allowed in the cabin per flight, each accompanied by a passenger.
• Label each pet's kennel, bag, or cage with its name and place an extra absorbent mat at the base.
• Carry extra absorbent mats for the pet during the journey.
• Do not sedate or tranquilize your pet due to health and safety risks.
• No food items are allowed inside the container.
• Unaccompanied minors cannot travel with pets.
• Passengers travelling with infants or needing wheelchair assistance are advised not to travel with pets in the cabin; pets can travel in the cargo hold instead.

Documents Required

• Validated vaccination and health certificates signed and stamped by the sanitation department within 72 hours before travel.
• Certificate confirming rabies inoculation by a registered veterinarian.
• Completed indemnity form; two copies required for direct flights.
• Original documents and photocopies must be presented at check-in.

For international travel, entry permits and other documents required by countries of entry or transit must be held by the passenger.

At the Airport

• Report at least three hours prior to departure to complete travel formalities.
• Priority check-in and boarding are provided when travelling with a pet.

Seat Assignment

• Passengers with pets are assigned seats in the last row of the booked cabin class.
• On single cabin (all-economy) flights, two passengers with pets will be seated at least five rows apart.
• Pets are not allowed to occupy passenger seats or be carried on laps or in hands.
• Emergency exit rows are not assigned to passengers with pets.
• Seat assignment is at Air India's discretion.

Additional Guidelines for International Flights

• Owners must ensure pets meet all quarantine requirements; quarantine periods vary by destination.
• Air India is not responsible if pets are refused entry or passage through any country or territory.
• Pets cannot be transported in the cabin or as checked baggage to/from USA, Canada, and Australia.
• For flights from UAE, pets may travel in the cabin depending on destination regulations; pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights from India to UAE.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Your pets are in safe hands with our team trained in special handling of animals. When carried in the cargo hold, an optimal temperature range is maintained to ensure a well-ventilated, comfortable journey. Air-conditioned vehicles are provided during ramp transfer.

Restrictions may apply depending on aircraft type and routes requested.

Restrictions for Carriage of Pets

• Pregnant pets are not allowed as cargo to ensure their safety.
• If your pet has given birth in the last 48 hours, please inform our team.
• Certain breeds, such as snub-nosed or flat-faced pets, are carried only when temperatures are below 25°C due to transport risks.
• Pet birds listed under CITES cannot be carried as personal cargo.
• Pets must be at least 3 months or older to travel in the cargo hold.
• Vaccination and health certificates, validated by the sanitation department and dated within 72 hours before travel, are required.

Pets Traveling to and from the UK

• Pets can be transported only in the cargo hold on flights to and from the UK.
• Allowed airports: London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW) only.
• Pet transport is strictly not allowed to or from Birmingham (BHX) airport.
• All pet travel must be pre-booked with Air India Cargo and accompanied by a valid Air Waybill (AWB) number.

Cut Off Time for Sending Pets as Cargo

Pets are accepted up to 4 hours before departure, subject to prior booking confirmation and customs clearance.

Container Requirements for Pet Transport

• Containers must be comfortable and spacious enough for prolonged stays.
• Cages must be securely equipped to prevent unauthorized access and accidental door opening.
• Ventilation apertures should be small enough to prevent any part of the animal from protruding outside.

Please refer to IATA regulations for detailed container specifications.

International Shipping for Pets

Air India Cargo ships pets as cargo to most destinations across India and worldwide.

Currently, pets are not accepted as personal cargo on ultra long-haul flights (over 12 hours) to the US and Canada.