Finnair

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Finnair allows certain assistance and service dogs with valid documentation to travel in the cabin.

• Accepted assistance and service dogs:
  • Guide dogs and hearing dogs for visually or hearing-impaired individuals
  • Diabetic alert dogs and seizure alert dogs
  • Dogs trained to assist physically impaired people in daily life
  • Psychiatric service dogs (only on flights to/from the United States)
  • Narcotic detection dogs
  • Search and rescue dogs on official missions
• Required documents:
  • Certificate of training
  • U.S. DOT Service Animal forms
  • Certificate of training and explanation of the mission
• Notify Finnair at least 48 hours before departure if traveling with an assistance or service dog.
• When submitting the special assistance form, include:
  • Dog’s breed and size (height and weight)
  • Required documents attached
  • Any additional assistance needed at the airport

Please consider the following when preparing to travel with your dog:

• Ensure your dog has required vaccinations and certificates for departure and destination countries.
• Complete all required certificates and forms.
• Accustom your dog to travel and possible situations during the journey.
• Use a vest or identifier indicating the dog is on a work assignment.
• If assistance services are needed at the airport, arrive at least two hours before departure.

Your assistance or service dog may travel on the floor in front of your seat. When the seatbelt sign is on, the dog should be under the seat in front.

Cabin crew cannot take care of your dog's needs during the flight.

Other passengers will disembark first so you can leave at your own pace. An assistant will escort you through arrivals or to your next departure gate if connecting.

When arriving in the United Kingdom with a dog, you must remain on board until a local official inspects your dog and verifies documentation. Other countries may have similar inspection requirements upon arrival.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals are no longer classified as service animals under the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

Finnair will no longer accept or accommodate the emotional support animal classification.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

Small pets such as cats, small dogs, pet rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs* can travel in the cabin if the combined weight of pet and carrier does not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lb).

• The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and remain closed throughout the flight.
• Pets are not allowed in Business Class on long-haul flights due to limited space under seats.
• Only one pet carrier per customer is permitted.
• Typically, two customers with pets are accepted per flight, but this may vary based on aircraft type, destination weather, or passenger allergies.

Your pet must stay in a securely closed carrier from the departure gate until arrival for safety and comfort.

• The pet should be able to stand and lie down comfortably inside the carrier.
• If the carrier is too small, the pet may be denied boarding during check-in.
• Soft carriers are recommended for flexibility and ease of fitting under the seat.
• Up to two pets can share one carrier if the total weight does not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lb).

Maximum pet carrier sizes:

• Flights operated by Finnair:
  • Soft carriers: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in)
  • Hard carriers: 35 x 30 x 20 cm (14.8 x 11.9 x 7.9 in)
• Flights operated by Norra:
  • Soft carriers: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in)
  • Hard carriers: 35 x 30 x 20 cm (14.8 x 11.9 x 7.9 in)

Pets must remain in their carrier placed under the seat throughout the journey, from departure gate to arrival terminal.

Boarding with pets occurs with your assigned boarding group as shown on your boarding pass.

To help your pet during the flight:

• Offer food and water well before the flight; avoid feeding just before departure to prevent nausea.
• Bring a diaper if needed.
• A familiar blanket can help calm a restless pet.

Customers traveling with pets are usually seated in the rear of the aircraft.

In Cargo Carrier Details

We recommend booking your journey well in advance.

• Book your flight online at least 7 days before departure.
• Inform Finnair about your pet within 24 hours via chat, providing carrier dimensions and total weight of pet plus carrier.
• You will receive a payment link through the chat service.
• Finnair aims to confirm pet bookings within 2 days; for flights to/from the USA, confirmation is aimed at least 2 weeks before departure.
• If your pet cannot be accepted, you may get a refund of your ticket.
• Minimum transfer time between flights with a pet in the hold is 3 hours.
• Usually, two pets are accepted in the hold on Finnair-operated flights, one pet on Norra-operated flights; limitations may apply due to aircraft type, weather, or allergic passengers.
• Pets cannot travel in the hold if your ticket includes flights operated by airlines other than Finnair or Norra.
• Pets in the aircraft hold do not transfer automatically at Helsinki Airport; you must collect and re-check your pet for connecting flights.

Transportation Container Requirements

• Container must allow pet to stand, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
• If the carrier is too small, the pet will not be accepted at check-in.
• Pets over 40 kg (88 lb) must be transported in a strong transportation box.
• Finnair does not sell or rent transportation containers.
• One container can hold:
  • Two adult pets of comparable size, or
  • Up to three puppies (under 6 months, same litter).
• Maximum weight per pet when sharing a container is 14 kg (30 lb).
• Some countries may restrict transporting multiple pets in one container.

Maximum Container Dimensions by Aircraft Type

Travel Conditions in the Hold

• The hold is air-conditioned and heated, always above +10° Celsius.
• No lights are present in the hold due to fire safety requirements.
• The hold cannot be accessed during the flight.

Recommendations for Pet Comfort

• Familiarize your pet with the container before travel.
• Most pets relax and sleep in the dark; a familiar blanket may help.
• Reserve water for your dog in the carrier, preferably using a sipper water bottle to avoid leaks.
• Avoid feeding your pet just before the flight to prevent nausea.
• IATA discourages the use of sedatives or tranquillisers during transport.

After the flight, collect your pet in the arrival hall and show the baggage receipt given at check-in to the agent.