Flying with your guide dog can be a positive experience, but it can also be a stressful one. For longer flights, one must consider the eating, watering, and relieving needs of a guide dog. Airport personnel do not always understand how they can best assist a guide dog handler, and may not understand the special needs and relationship that exist between a guide dog and his or her handler.
Tips for Air Travel
Here are some practical tips when travelling by air, particularly for longer flights:
Advise the airline at the time of booking that you will be travelling with a guide dog. Westjet now offers the ability to do this when booking online, but Air Canada requires you to phone their reservation center after booking to provide this information.
Consider skipping a meal or reducing the amount of food fed to your dog prior to departing. This will help reduce the need for relieving, and avoid unnecessary discomfort for your dog. Do not give them too much water, either.
If you have a stopover, consider using the opportunity to relieve your dog while in transit. Keep in mind that you may have to leave (and re-clear) security in order to do this, so make sure you have enough time to do it comfortably.
Other Information
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has specific screening procedures in place for visually impaired passengers, which include guidelines on how a person with a guide dog should be processed through security. Read CATSA’s screening procedure (in a new window).
For more information on travelling with a guide dog in Canada, or to file a complaint about an air carrier, see our resource information for the Canadian Transporrtation Agency.
For more information on travelling with a guide dog in the United States, call the Department of Transportation’s information hotline at 1-800-778-4838 (TTY: 1-800-455-980), or see our resource list for complete contact information for the Aviation Consumer Protection Division.