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Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Kenya Airways accepts service dogs in the cabin when providing assistance to passengers with disabilities, including blindness and mental or psychiatric disorders.

• Service dogs must be certified and individually trained to assist a person with a disability.
• Passengers with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities may need to present documentation from a licensed medical professional dated within one year, confirming the necessity of the service dog for travel or destination activities.
• Service dogs are accepted free of charge.
• They may travel in the cabin without a kennel or cage if properly harnessed and must not occupy a seat.
• Service dogs must be well-behaved; animals showing disruptive behavior are not accepted even if trained.
• For flights 8 hours or longer, passengers may be asked to provide documentation that the animal will not need to relieve itself during the flight or proof of items such as nappies or medicine to avoid health or sanitation issues. Without this, the dog cannot be accepted.
• Passengers with service dogs can be seated anywhere in the cabin.
• The service dog must sit at the passenger’s feet or at the feet/floor of an adjacent seat and must not obstruct the aisle.
• Advanced reservation is required with PNR code "ESAN". This information is also included in the Passenger Information List (PIL) for crew awareness.

Transportation of Dogs to the USA:

• All dogs imported into the United States must be healthy upon arrival.
• Dogs not from high-risk countries in the past 6 months are not required by the CDC to present a rabies vaccination certificate or other paperwork, though rabies vaccination is recommended.
• These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies and service animals.

Emotional Support Animals

Kenya Airways no longer considers emotional support dogs as service animals.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

All live animals must be consigned as cargo only.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Kenya Airways offers comprehensive live animal transportation with a focus on safety, comfort, and hygiene.

• Transportation of live animals under optimum conditions.
• Continuous care by specially trained staff before, during, and after flights.
• Service available on all online Kenya Airways destinations.
• Transportation of both accompanied and unaccompanied pets.
• Late cut-off times for acceptance.
• High up-lift priority if booking is confirmed.
• Dedicated sales and customer service team for queries.
• Tracking available for animal shipments.

Container Requirements

Animals must be carried in closed containers that:

• Are well constructed and able to withstand freight damage.
• Prevent escape through gaps at seams or joints.
• Are ventilated on at least three sides, mostly on the upper part.
• Have maximum dimensions of L240cm x W114cm x H76cm for B737 aircraft.
• Have a maximum weight of 150kg.

Container Markings

• Full name, address, and 24-hour telephone contact of the shipper.
• Scientific and common name of the animal(s) as per shipper’s certificate.
• Number of animals in the container.
• “THIS ANIMAL BITES” marking if applicable.
• Shipper’s instructions for feeding and watering.
• Details of any medication administered prior to shipping.

Required Documents

• Shipper’s Certificate.
• Transfer Certificate for animals in transit (contact local KQ Cargo office).
• Import and Export Permits.
• Valid Health Certificate and Vaccination Certificate attached to the air waybill (AWB).

Important Tips

• Book at least 48 hours before flight departure.
• Provide separate food and water receptacles inside or attached to the container with access for refilling; must be non-toxic and have rounded edges.
• Include written feeding and watering instructions affixed to the container and with shipping documents.
• Provide some food for the animal, ensuring compliance with transit and import regulations.
• Ensure the pet has a long walk before travel and last meal 6-8 hours before take-off; only small amounts of water should be given.
• Tranquilisation is not advisable due to risks at flight altitude; allowed only if accompanied by a vet on board. Consult your vet.

Restrictions

• Compliance with breed allowances per country.
• Size of animal container limited by aircraft cargo hold door dimensions, varying by aircraft type.
• Pets are not accepted in the cabin except guide dogs; pets must be transported as cargo through the cargo terminal.
• Different countries have varying transit and import restrictions; contact nearest KQ Cargo office for details.