Air travel should not mean piecing together the essentials

Flying with a guide or assistance dog

Planning a flight with an assistance dog means navigating airline policies, entry rules and the dog's needs—often across several websites. We are exploring a clearer way to bring those checks together in one clearly structured journey.

This is a concept, not a flight search or a decision about anyone's right to travel. The Montréal–Paris example below summarises published policies that must be checked again before booking.

A journey in three steps

A useful answer must reflect the actual route and the documents it requires. First, we want to learn from people who travel with assistance dogs: are we asking the right questions, and asking them respectfully?

Set out the route
Departure, destination and any connection that could change the requirements.
Identify the relevant category
The dog's training status shapes what needs checking. We do not ask for a traveller's diagnosis.
Know what to confirm
Airline requirements, border rules and documents are kept separate, with uncertainties made clear.

Explore the planning journey

This demonstration is separate from the MyDogCanFly flight finder. It does not store or send your itinerary.

Departure city or airport (optional)For example, Montréal. This prototype does not suggest airports as you type.

Destination city or airport (optional)For example, Paris. Transit requirements would be checked separately.

Which situation are you planning for?

I travel with a trained guide or assistance dogThis includes a dog trained to perform tasks related to a psychiatric disability. This preview does not verify the dog's status. The dog is still in trainingDifferent rules may apply. They would need to be checked separately. I am not sure which category appliesA future version should help you find the right questions to ask, without deciding the dog's status for you.

An emotional support dog is not automatically recognised as a trained assistance dog. Separate rules may apply depending on the country and airline, particularly in Canada. This page does not certify or recognise any dog.

We do not ask for a diagnosis, name, medical records or contact details.

A worked example: Montréal → Paris

This is how a useful answer might look for someone travelling with a trained guide or assistance dog. The three cards summarise published airline policies—not available flights or approval for an individual traveller.

Example status: policies to review. We have not checked schedules, nonstop services, seat availability, the operating airline or space for the dog. Confirm the conditions for the flight you intend to take before booking.

Air Canada

Published policy: Air Canada provides for eligible service dogs to travel at no charge on flights it operates. Its service dog form also covers international travel.
What to do: Air Canada asks travellers to send its service dog form and evidence of the dog's training to Accessibility Services at least 48 hours before departure. It says it will do its best to accommodate later requests.
Still to confirm: Does Air Canada operate the flight in question? Is there enough floor space for this dog in that cabin? Which documents apply to this booking?

Airline sources reviewed on 19 September 2026: Air Canada's service dog policy and its service dog form (PDF).

Air France

Published policy: Air France says trained guide and assistance dogs may travel in the cabin free of charge, subject to its conditions. The dog must wear a harness and must not obstruct the aisles.
What to do: Air France recommends making the request at least 48 hours before departure. For flights leaving Canada, it directs travellers to its local assistance team.
Still to confirm: Who operates the chosen flight? What proof of training will be reviewed? Where can the dog safely rest in that cabin?

Airline source reviewed on 19 September 2026: Air France's guide and assistance dog policy.

Air Transat

Published policy: Air Transat says certified service dogs travelling with a person with a disability are welcome in the passenger cabin when accompanied by the required certification and documents.
What to do: Check the exact arrangements with Air Transat's accessibility team before booking. We do not show a route-specific deadline until it has been established clearly.
Still to confirm: Does Air Transat operate the proposed flight? Which documents will it require for this dog, and what cabin space can it provide?

Airline source reviewed on 19 September 2026: Air Transat's pets and assistance dogs policy.

This is an illustrative, source-led example—not a live flight result. It does not determine the dog's status, reserve a place or replace confirmation from the airline and relevant authorities.

What a live service would need to keep separate

The airline's policy

Eligibility, booking, evidence, notice periods and onboard conditions—each with its own source and review date.

The route's requirements

Departure, entry and transit rules. Anything unresolved should be labelled clearly, not turned into a one-size-fits-all answer.

Information everyone can use

We are designing this journey to make sense on screen and when read aloud: clear headings, short steps, keyboard navigation and answers that never rely on colour alone. That clarity also helps family members, travel advisers and journalists understand the process.

Before claiming the journey is accessible, we want to test it with people who use assistance dogs and with a range of reading tools:

NVDA and JAWS screen readers on desktop;
VoiceOver on Apple devices and TalkBack on Android;
text and display magnification, including at 200% and 400% zoom.

Current status: these tests are planned, not completed. We are not claiming verified compatibility with these tools or any accessibility certification.