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Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

An assistance dog is individually trained by a recognised centre to perform tasks for a person with a disability or assimilated medical condition, to whom it is permanently linked.

Assistance Dogs Recognised by Iberia

• Guide dogs for visually impaired people
• Service dogs supporting people with physical disabilities
• Hearing dogs alerting people with impaired hearing to sounds
• Medical response dogs assisting people with diabetes, epilepsy, or other conditions causing loss of consciousness or sensory disconnection
• Dogs for people with autism spectrum disorders
• Rescue dogs trained with government security forces, wearing harnesses and travelling without a seat
• Dogs in training accompanied by their trainer with a certificate from the training centre

Travel Requirements

• Inform Iberia when purchasing your ticket or at least 48 hours before departure if travelling with an assistance dog
• Provide proof that your dog is an assistance dog and that you are its user
• Comply with documentation, health requirements, and check authorised airports for entry to Spain if travelling from outside the EU
• Ensure your assistance dog behaves appropriately on board

Flights to/from the United States

Iberia follows US federal laws (14 CFR Part 382) amended in 2021 for service animals:

• An assistance dog is any dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disabilities
• Maximum of two assistance dogs per person allowed
• Preferably inform Iberia at least 48 hours before departure unless booking last minute
• A US Department of Transportation form attesting the dog's training and behaviour is required
• For flights over 8 hours, you must confirm the dog will not relieve itself onboard and assume responsibility

Accreditation: Present one of the following before boarding:

• Official badge, card, letter, or certificate confirming assistance status and user name issued by the competent authority
• If unavailable, a certificate from the training entity stating membership in IGDF or ADI, or a guide dog credential from ONCE

Documents

• Carry all legal documents including official health and vaccination certificates as required by the destination country
• For travel to the UK, comply with the government Pet Travel Scheme
• Contact Animal Aircare at least 72 hours before the flight for pre-approval to show at boarding

Location On Board

• Your assistance dog must sit at your feet without blocking aisles or other passengers' space
• Seating next to emergency exits is not allowed for safety reasons
• If your dog cannot safely travel at your feet due to size or space, Iberia may offer a flight change

Dog's Behaviour On Board

• Keep your dog under control at all times with a lead, collar, harness, or secure mechanism
• The dog cannot roam freely, occupy other passengers' space, or cause inconvenience
• You may request crew assistance to move safely through the cabin

Reasons for Denied Boarding

• Failure to present proof that the dog is an assistance dog
• Dog shows poor hygiene or has external parasites (fleas, ticks)
• Aggressive behaviour such as growling, barking, or biting that cannot be controlled
• Inability to sit quietly at the user's feet causing safety or disruption issues

Emotional Support Animals

Therapy or emotional support dogs are not considered assistance dogs by Iberia.

They are subject to the same acceptance conditions as pets.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

Dogs, cats, ornamental fish, tortoises, and birds (except poultry and birds of prey) are accepted in the cabin with prior authorisation from Iberia Booking offices.

Your pet can travel with you in the cabin if it has the required documentation and meets the following conditions. Proof of compliance must be shown at check-in, where the agent will fill in the official IATA form.

• Maximum weight: 8 kg including the carrier.
• Maximum carrier size: 45 cm (length) x 35 cm (width) x 25 cm (height); total dimensions must not exceed 105 cm.
• Carrier must be robust, ventilated (at least 16% of total surface on four sides), and have a safe, leak-proof base.
• On Iberia flights operated by Air Nostrum, the carrier cannot be rigid.
• Birds must be transported in a strong cage with a secure lock and non-spillable food and drink; the cage must be kept covered at all times.
• Two small, lightweight animals of the same species can share a single carrier.
• Pets travel at the owner's responsibility and must not inconvenience nearby passengers.
• The carrier cannot be placed on a seat and must be secured under the seat at the passenger’s feet when the seat belt sign is on.
• Your pet must remain inside the carrier for the entire flight.
• Animals with special characteristics such as strong odour that may inconvenience others are not accepted.
• Pets are not allowed in seats next to emergency exits for safety reasons.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Iberia allows dogs and cats to travel in the hold, except snub-nosed dogs and dangerous breeds.

Conditions for Transport in the Hold

• Maximum weight allowed: 45 kg (pet + carrier).
• The carrier must comply with international regulations:
• Robust with a secure locking system to remain closed at all times.
• Comfortable size allowing the animal to stand naturally, turn around, and lie down.
• No exterior or interior damage that could harm the pet; must have adequate ventilation.
• Waterproof bottom with cushioning or insulating layer to avoid direct contact with aircraft floor.
• One carrier may hold two adult animals accustomed to living together weighing no more than 14 kg each, or three animals less than 6 months old from the same litter.
• For connecting flights, transit time must be between 90 minutes and 4 hours.
• Permission to travel with your pet is granted only when all flights in the booking are confirmed.

Acceptance as Cargo

If your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin or hold, it can be transported as cargo in these cases:

• Pet plus carrier weighs more than 45 kg.
• Legal entry restrictions or destination country only accepts animals as cargo.
• Breed has transport restrictions (dangerous breeds or snub-nosed dogs and cats).
• Animal species not accepted for cabin or hold transport.
• Pet needs to be sent unaccompanied.