Swiss International Air Lines

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Assistance Dogs Outside of USA

Swiss International Air Lines carries one (1) assistance dog free of charge per passenger.

• Definition: A dog, regardless of breed or type, individually trained to work with or carry out tasks for a person with a disability, including visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities.
• Entry Regulations: Passengers are responsible for compliance with all import/export and animal welfare regulations throughout the journey.
• Mandatory Forms:
  • Training certificate from an accredited institution (ADI, ADEu, IGDF) or a certificate from a training facility/trainer including name, address, training details, duration, and tasks completed.
• Conditions for Boarding:
  • Dog must be at least 4 months old.
  • Dog must not sit on a seat; it must sit in the foot space in front of your seat.
  • Note for First and Business Class guests: the seat may not fully recline into a horizontal bed.
  • Dog must behave appropriately and remain under direct control throughout the flight. Dogs that bark, growl, bite, or jump up will not be accepted.
  • A muzzle must be brought. If the dog poses a risk, a muzzle will be required or carriage refused.
  • On flights to/from Canada, muzzles are not obligatory but strongly recommended.

Assistance Dogs on Nonstop Flights To/From USA

Swiss International Air Lines carries two (2) assistance dogs free of charge per passenger.

• Definition: Same as above. Emotional support dogs and assistance dogs in training are not accepted as assistance dogs.
• Important Note: Since 1 March 2021, only trained assistance dogs are accepted in the cabin. Emotional support dogs travel as pets under usual conditions with an additional fee.
• Additional Form: Required for flights over 8 hours, confirming the animal will not relieve itself or pose health/hygiene risks during the flight. Keep this form handy.
• Entry Regulations: Passengers must ensure compliance with all relevant import/export and animal welfare regulations.
• Age Requirement: Only dogs at least 6 months old are accepted on flights to the USA.
• Conditions for Boarding:
  • Dog must be at least 6 months old.
  • Dog must not sit on a seat; it must sit in the foot space in front of your seat.
  • Note for First and Business Class guests: the seat may not fully recline into a horizontal bed.
  • Dog must behave appropriately and remain under direct control throughout the flight. Dogs that bark, growl, bite, or jump up will not be accepted.
  • Muzzles are not obligatory but recommended. If the dog poses a risk, a muzzle may be required or carriage refused.
• Acceptance Before Departure: Ground crew will verify the dog's qualifications, behavior in public, and external features such as harnesses.
• Refusal of Carriage: Swiss may refuse carriage if the dog:
  • Represents a direct threat to health or safety.
  • Causes significant disturbance onboard or at the gate.
  • Shows behavior suggesting improper training.
  • Required forms are not presented by the passenger.
  • Carriage would violate safety or health requirements.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support dogs and assistance dogs in training are not considered assistance dogs by Swiss International Air Lines.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

The following animals can travel in the cabin:

• Dogs and cats weighing up to 8 kg (including travel carrier)
• Larger dogs trained as guide dogs (e.g., for visually impaired passengers) that fit in front of the seat

Conditions for the travel carrier:

• Soft, clean, leak-proof, and scratch-resistant
• Maximum dimensions: 118 cm total (55 x 40 x 23 cm) to fit under the seat
• No solid frame
• Enough space for the animal to stand naturally, turn around, and lie down
• Animal must remain fully inside the carrier for the entire flight

Additional requirements for the animal:

• Clean and healthy
• Must not disturb other passengers
• Not dangerous, pregnant, or emitting unpleasant odors

The transport container must be stowed under your seat during take-off, landing, and turbulence.

Dogs with protective or assistance functions have no size or weight restrictions and can travel freely in the cabin without a transport container.

Please notify Swiss International Air Lines well in advance if you plan to bring your animal. This can be done online via "My bookings" (except for USA flights) or through the Service Center. Transport regulations and space availability will be checked.

For all flights, a completed and signed confirmation form is required to bring a pet as hand baggage. Present two printed copies at check-in.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Swiss International Air Lines allows certain pets to travel in the hold under specific conditions.

• Eligible animals: Dogs and cats not belonging to snub-nosed breeds, weighing more than 8 kg including the transport container, or traveling in a container exceeding 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm).
• Animals other than dogs and cats are not permitted in the hold; some species may be carried as freight.
• Pets must be clean, healthy, not dangerous, not pregnant, and odor-free.
• Only one pet per transport carrier, except two animals of similar size each under 14 kg or a mother with her young.
• Pets must be able to move, stand, lie down, and turn inside the crate; if two animals share a crate, they must be accustomed to each other.
• Transport carriers must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations.
• Pets must travel in a suitable crate with enough food and water for the journey.
• Check-in with your pet at least 2 hours but no more than 3 hours before departure, bringing the pet in an appropriate transport container.
• Book no later than 72 hours before departure; contact the Service Centre up to 24 hours before departure if needed.
• Minimum pet age: 15 weeks for flights from/to Germany, 12 weeks for other countries; for flights to the USA after 1 August 2024, dogs must be at least 6 months old.
• New bookings for dogs entering the USA after 1 August 2024 are accepted only at Washington DC, New York (JFK), Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia airports.
• Restrictions may apply for specific countries (e.g., Australia, Bahrain, China) and aircraft types.
• SWISS Airtrain carriage is not possible.

Cargo Crates for Dangerous Dog Breeds

• Dangerous dog breeds must be transported in suitable cargo crates; they are not permitted in the cabin.
• Dogs aged 3 to 6 months are exempt from this regulation.
• Cargo crates must comply with IATA Live Animals Regulations Container Requirement 82.
• Crate materials: wood, metal, synthetic materials (not plastic), welded or standard wire mesh; no plastic parts allowed.
• Additional requirements apply to the frame, sides, floor, roof, and door of the crate.
• The door must be heavy-duty wire mesh, metal, or reinforced wood with a safety lock to prevent accidental opening.

You cannot visit your pet in the hold during the flight. Conditions in the hold are similar to the cabin, with pleasant temperature and air pressure on longer flights.