Service animal

Definition

A service animal is either: 

1. trained to perform functions to assist a person with a disability or
2. has the ability to assist a person with a disability (i.e. a seizure alert animal)

• The service animal must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others
• It shall not pose a threat of disruption to the in flight service  
• It is not allowed to move around in the cabin. It should be harnessed or otherwise restrained. 
• On flights with a scheduled duration of 8 hours or more, the passenger may be required to provide documentation that the animal will not need to relieve itself on the flight or that the animal can relieve itself in a way that does not create a health or sanitation issue on the flight

EXCEPTION: On flights to/from the U.S., service animals are not required to be harnessed or restrained unless such measures are necessary to mitigate inappropriate behaviour.

Number of service animals

1.  The number of service animals accepted on board is not linked or limited to the quota of regular pets permitted in the cabin (PETC); the transport of service animals is in addition for all of the A320 family of aircraft.
2. For flights operated with DH8-100, ATR-42 and ATR-72 the number of service animals and PETC should not exceed the maximum quota of PETC permitted.

Types of service animals

Trained service dogs:

• Seeing Eye dogs trained to lead passengers with impaired vision.
• Hearing aid dogs trained to lead passengers with impaired hearing.
• Other service dogs trained to assist for example epileptic or autistic passengers.
• Rescue dogs.

Service Animal Request Instructions

• Aegean Airlines only allows dogs as service animals. 
• All other animals must be refused as service animals. 
• The service animal should be requested at the latest 48 hours before departure. 
• It will be accepted regardless of its weight or size.
• The dog should be booked and confirmed in the reservation as SR SVAN (not PETC).
• If not needed during the flight, the service animal can also be accepted free of charge for travel in the hold as AVIH.
• The passenger is responsible for providing a transport case/cage or for buying one at the airport.
• The seat adjacent to the disabled passenger shall, whenever possible, be kept free
  
  

Documentation

Animal Documentation :

Service Animal Request Instructions

• export, import or transit permits
• health and/or vaccination certificates
• Trained service dogs must be certified by an organization that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or European Guide Dog Federation (EGDF) or any national certified Guide Dog School.
  
   

Clarifications

• If a service animal is not allowed to be transported as baggage due to import regulations and needs to be transported as cargo, the applicable cargo rate applies.
• The proof of service animal status will only be checked, when the passenger’s verbal assurances of needing a service animal are not credible.

Passenger Documentation:

• credible written assurances of the disabled passenger needing the animal
• other written documentation
• physical indicators on the animal, such as harnesses, tags, vests, capes or backpacks
• identification cards
• In such cases no further documentation of the service animal status is required.

Charges

Service animals are transported free of charge, providing that:

• the animal fits into the assigned location in the cabin, or
• the animal travels in the cargo hold.

If the animal is oversized and the passenger insists on having the animal(s) in the cabin, the travel agent should:

• offer the option of purchasing a second seat or
• offer a later flight to accommodate them together