Service dogs

Regulations since 01 March 2021

Since 01 March 2021, only trained service dogs are accepted for cabin transportation on Edelweiss flights.

Emotional support dogs are no longer classified as service dogs. We will therefore no longer accept new bookings of emotional support dogs as of this date. They may still travel as pets, in either a suitable container for transportation in the passenger cabin or in the cargo hold, depending on the size and weight, against a fee.

General requirements for taking a service dog into the cabin

Your dog must behave appropriately in public spaces (eg. no growling or barking, no jumping up at people) and be trained to be obedient to your commands, in order to ensure safe and undisturbed flight operation.

Should your dog not behave appropriately, Edelweiss may transfer the dog to the cargo hold at an additional cost or refuse transportation of the animal. You are liable for any damage and additional costs arising from the transport of your dog. We have summarised the most important information for you below.

Definition of service dog

We carry one (1) assistance dog free of charge. Definition of an assistance dog:

  • Only dogs qualify as service animals regardless of breed or type.
  • The dog must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Including a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
  • Emotional support dogs, comfort/companionship dogs and service dogs in training are not considered service dogs.

    • Entry regulations

    It is your responsibility to ensure that all import and export regulations for animals, as well as animal welfare provisions, are met for the entire trip.

    Required Forms

    One of the following certificates must be submitted to meda@flyedelweiss.com:

    a) A certificate stating the type of training and task the dog has successfully completed and what it entailed, length of training for that service, and name and location of the trainer and training facility.

    b) A certificate from a training school which is accredited by the following organizations:

    • Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
    • Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu)
    • International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)


    Please note that an obedience certificate is not sufficient. Should you not be able to provide the above certificates, the normal pet policy applies. In such a case, the dog will (against the appropriate fee) travel as a pet, either in a suitable transport container in the passenger cabin or in the cargo hold, depending on the size and weight of the animal.

    In addition, information on the dog’s breed, weight and age is required.

    Travel requirements

    The service dog

    • must be harnessed or leashed and remain under direct control at all times
    • must fit in the foot space in front of your assigned seat
    • may not sit on a passenger seat
    • we ask you to bring a muzzle along for your dog. Should a situation arise in which your dog poses a threat to the safety of other passengers, you will be required to muzzle your dog or your dog will be denied travel.
    • must be of a minimum age of at least 4 months

    Definition of service dog

    You may bring two (2) service dogs free of charge. Definition of service dog:

    • Only dogs qualify as service animals regardless of breed or type.
    • The dog must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Including a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
    • Emotional support dogs, comfort/companionship dogs and service dogs in training are not considered service dogs.

    Required Forms

    To travel with a service dog as of 01 March 2021, you must submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) forms for each service animal. Please download, complete and submit the form, latest 48 hours prior to departure of your flight, to meda@flyedelweiss.com.

    The air transportation form is attesting to the service dog’s health, training, and behavior and providing other assurances.

    U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form


    The relief attestation form certifies that the service dog will not need to relieve itself on the flight or can relieve itself in a way that does not create a health or sanitation issue for flight segments of eight (8) hours or more.

    U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Form


    Keep the completed forms with you during your trip.

    Entry regulations

    It is your responsibility to ensure that all import and export regulations for animals, as well as animal welfare provisions, are met for the entire trip.

    Travel requirements

    The service dog

    • must be harnessed, leashed or otherwise tethered at all times and remain under the direct control of you or the dog handler at all times
    • must fit in the foot space in front of your assigned seat
    • may not sit on a passenger seat
    • while it is not a requirement for traveling with a service dog, we recommend that you bring a muzzle with you for your dog. Should a situation arise in which your dog poses a threat to the safety of other passengers, you will be required to muzzle your dog or your dog will be denied travel.
    • must be of a minimum age of at least 4 months

    Acceptance for travel

    Our ground staff may make inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service dog. This may be done either by observing the animal’s behavior to determine whether the animal displays disruptive or aggressive behavior which demonstrates that it has not been successfully trained to behave properly in a public setting, or by looking for certain physical indicators (eg harness, etc).

    Refusal to transport a service dog

    Edelweiss may refuse to transport a service dog in accordance with U.S. DOT regulations if:

    • the dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
    • the dog causes a significant disruption in the cabin or at an airport gate area, or its behaviour on the aircraft or at an airport gate area indicates that it has not been trained to behave properly in public;
    • the service dog’s carriage would violate applicable safety or health requirements of any U.S. federal agency, U.S. territory or foreign government; or
    • the passenger with a disability seeking to travel with a service dog in the cabin of the aircraft does not provide completed current forms as required by Edelweiss.