Turkish Airlines

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Service animals are trained assistance animals traveling with passengers who need service or medical support.

• On flights between Istanbul and the United States, Turkish Airlines follows the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) rules for service dogs.
• Passengers must confirm their reservation at least 48 hours before the flight when traveling with a service animal.
• Service animals must comply with US CDC rules and provide all necessary CDC documents in addition to US DOT forms.

Conditions for Transporting a Service Dog (SVAN)

• The service dog must be professionally trained and certified.
• Passengers must provide a valid training certificate, vaccination certificate, ID card, and any other documents required by the destination country.
• If required documents are missing, the dog may be denied boarding or must travel in a carrier/cage in the cabin (PETC) or in the aircraft hold (AVIH), depending on the flight.
• Dogs on the list of animals not permitted to enter the destination country will not be allowed on the flight.

General Policies

• Service dogs, guide dogs for the visually and hearing impaired, and medical alert dogs travel free of charge in the cabin.
• Psychiatric service dogs are transported free of charge on flights between Istanbul and the United States.
• On connecting flights before or after Istanbul-US flights, psychiatric service dogs must be caged and carried in the cabin or hold for a fee, collected at the first exit point.
• Passengers with psychiatric service dogs must bring an empty carrier/cage of appropriate size; transport of the empty cage is free.

Psychiatric Service Dog Handling

• At US airports, empty cages containing psychiatric service dogs are received from passengers continuing to Istanbul; cages are prepared before the next flight.
• Once secured in the cage, psychiatric service dogs may travel in the cabin or hold according to Turkish Airlines regulations.
• Passengers arriving in Istanbul with psychiatric service dogs and connecting to US flights may carry the dog in a carrier/cage in the cabin or cargo section from the origin.
• When boarding Istanbul-US flights, the dog's cage is delivered empty and stored in the hold.

Requirements for Service Animals on Flights Outside the United States

• Passengers must present a document at check-in stating the dog will not need to use the restroom or will not cause health issues if it does.
• Valid documents include:
  • A signed veterinarian statement
  • A written declaration of measures to prevent restroom use
  • A signed declaration with photos or visuals showing the dog can relieve itself hygienically
  • A promise to clean any accidents, with passengers carrying cleaning supplies (bag, napkin, cloth, wet wipes)
• The service dog must wear a vest and/or identification collar, and the leash or harness must be attached to the passenger's belt throughout the flight.
• The dog must remain clean and seated in front of the passenger's feet; sitting in the passenger seat is prohibited.
• A muzzle must be available in case of excessive barking or aggressive behavior.

Behavior and Safety

• Dogs exhibiting aggressive or disruptive behavior, poor grooming, or that pose a security risk may be denied boarding or rebooked.
• If not accepted in the cabin, dogs may be transported in the cabin carrier (PETC) or aircraft hold (AVIH).
• Passengers are liable for any damage caused by the service animal.
• Seat changes may be required for safety reasons.
• Passengers with service dogs may select seats except emergency exit rows or rows with infant bassinets.

Search and Rescue Dogs

• Transported free of charge during emergencies and disasters.
• May travel in the cabin during search and rescue team journeys, even if normally carried in the hold (AVIH).

In-Cabin Carrier Details

The only animals permitted to travel in the cabin are cats, dogs, and small songbirds (budgies, canaries).

• Pet and crate combined weight must not exceed 8 kg.
• Crate dimensions must not exceed 23 cm height, 30 cm width, and 40 cm length.
• Pets must be transported in specially designed soft-sided cages or bags.
• Transportation of pets is not included in the checked baggage allowance and is subject to a fee.
• Passengers must keep pets in a carrier under the seat in front of them.
• Passengers traveling with pets in the cabin are restricted to window seats, except in emergency exit or infant bassinet rows.
• Only animals of the same species and living habits may share a cage in the cabin.
• Two birds, two cats, or two dogs accustomed to each other may travel together in the same cage if their combined weight does not exceed 8 kg.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Pets not permitted in the cabin due to carrier non-compliance are transported in the aircraft hold if carrier dimensions are suitable.

Transportation of pets is not included in checked baggage allowance and is subject to a fee.

Carrier Requirements

• Maximum weight: 50 kg
• Maximum dimensions: 75 cm high, 75 cm wide, 125 cm long
• Carriers must have a hard surface; soft-sided carriers are not accepted
• Carrier must be large enough for the pet to sleep, stand, and turn around
• Carrier must be ventilated, watertight, and have a lateral locking system

Additional Provisions

• If waiting time ≥ 4 hours or flight time > 8 hours, carrier must include:
  • Informative instructions
  • Food
  • Automatic water dispenser
• A tag with the pet’s identification information must be attached to the carrier

Breeds with Special Conditions

Certain cat and dog breeds prone to respiratory problems may not be suitable for cabin carriage but can be transported in the aircraft hold via Turkish Cargo reservation and boarding procedures.

• Cat breeds: Birman, Exotic, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, etc.
• Dog breeds: Affenpischer, Pekingese, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Dog, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Little Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bullmastiff, British Mastiff, etc.

Dangerous Breeds

Dangerous breeds may only be transported in the aircraft hold if accepted by Turkish Cargo.

• American Bulldog, Bandog, Tosa Inu, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, French Mastiff, Pincher, all Doberman breeds, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Mastiffs (except Bullmastiff), Wolfhounds, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Boerboel, and hybrids of these breeds

Multiple Pets in One Carrier

• Up to two adult dogs of similar size, accustomed to living together and/or same breed, may share a carrier if each weighs ≤ 14 kg
• Up to two cats may share a carrier if each weighs ≤ 10 kg
• Up to three kittens or puppies of the same litter, aged 10–24 weeks, may be accepted together
• Pets weighing more than 14 kg must travel alone in the carrier