Guide Dogs On-Board
Aug 24, 2018, 11:59 am
#1
Moderator: Qatar Airways
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Guide Dogs On-Board
Flew back to LHR last night, and there was a passenger with his Guide-Dog.
I've seen it in the US, but this was the first time I've ever seen a Guide-Dog onboard a BA flight.
I presume there are strict rules on boarding Support Animals?
M
I've seen it in the US, but this was the first time I've ever seen a Guide-Dog onboard a BA flight.
I presume there are strict rules on boarding Support Animals?
M
Aug 24, 2018, 12:07 pm
#3
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Aug 24, 2018, 12:10 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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travelling with assistance dogs
And these are proper accredited assistance dog not an 'emotional support animal' who will be in the hold
And these are proper accredited assistance dog not an 'emotional support animal' who will be in the hold
Aug 24, 2018, 12:25 pm
#5
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There is a BA staff member whose partner has a guide dog and I occasionally see them and their dog on the shorthaul travels. I think I've now done about 8 flights with this very well behaved CE passenger.
Doggy photos in the links!
guide dog on the A380... where to sit?
Guide Dog on SYD > SIN
Doggy photos in the links!
guide dog on the A380... where to sit?
Guide Dog on SYD > SIN
Aug 24, 2018, 12:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I was on an EDI-LHR once sat in 1F and as I boarded the CSD said there was a lady sat in 1D who had a guide dog - was I okay with that?
The dog was a lovely Alsatian and she sat as good as gold all the way in the space below 1E.
Talking to the lady I found out the dog’s name was Rebecca.
Two years later - I boarded a flight back to EDI - same seat, same conversation with the CSD.
After I sat down the lady said she hoped I didn’t mind her dog. I sai of course not it’s lovely to see you and Rebecca again!
Delighted I’d remembered the name of her dog.
I’m sure I wrote a blog about this somewhere.
The dog was a lovely Alsatian and she sat as good as gold all the way in the space below 1E.
Talking to the lady I found out the dog’s name was Rebecca.
Two years later - I boarded a flight back to EDI - same seat, same conversation with the CSD.
After I sat down the lady said she hoped I didn’t mind her dog. I sai of course not it’s lovely to see you and Rebecca again!
Delighted I’d remembered the name of her dog.
I’m sure I wrote a blog about this somewhere.
Aug 24, 2018, 3:15 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2015
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My wife has been waiting 17 months for her (first) Guide Dog. The wait in London for a first time applicant is now around 3 years.
We fly a fair amount for leisure, so had conversed with British Airways regarding flying with a GD as it's usually BA we fly with.
The rules are much more stringent than in the US, in that Emotional Support Animals are not recognised. For a Guide Dog you need to present a pet passport if travelling non-domestically, and also the registration card given by Guide Dogs for the blind. B.A. block a seat in economy or premium economy for the GD, and you can also bring any equipment/food for the dog in addition to your checked baggage allowance.
One thing we did have to discuss with both Heathrow and Gatwick was pet relief areas, as we do have a tendency to arrive at an airport early to ensure a calmer experience for both my wife, and I as it's me guiding her*, using the lounges. I found a leaflet from Heathrow airport online mentioning 'plentiful' places for Guide Dogs to relieve themselves airside. There are a plentiful number of 0, in T3 or T5. There is apparently one location in T2, landside. None in Gatwick, either.
Both airports eventually gave the same proposed resolution. They would collect us from the lounge, with a disability assistant agent, a cleaner, and a member of security staff, and take us to a gate with no plane. We'd take the dog outside, give it the command to do his or her business, and hope he/she plays along. Then stand around awkwardly whilst it's cleaned up and brought back in! Sounds good in theory, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly all of it will come together if we're in the lounge and the dog signals it's time to go...
We fly a fair amount for leisure, so had conversed with British Airways regarding flying with a GD as it's usually BA we fly with.
The rules are much more stringent than in the US, in that Emotional Support Animals are not recognised. For a Guide Dog you need to present a pet passport if travelling non-domestically, and also the registration card given by Guide Dogs for the blind. B.A. block a seat in economy or premium economy for the GD, and you can also bring any equipment/food for the dog in addition to your checked baggage allowance.
One thing we did have to discuss with both Heathrow and Gatwick was pet relief areas, as we do have a tendency to arrive at an airport early to ensure a calmer experience for both my wife, and I as it's me guiding her*, using the lounges. I found a leaflet from Heathrow airport online mentioning 'plentiful' places for Guide Dogs to relieve themselves airside. There are a plentiful number of 0, in T3 or T5. There is apparently one location in T2, landside. None in Gatwick, either.
Both airports eventually gave the same proposed resolution. They would collect us from the lounge, with a disability assistant agent, a cleaner, and a member of security staff, and take us to a gate with no plane. We'd take the dog outside, give it the command to do his or her business, and hope he/she plays along. Then stand around awkwardly whilst it's cleaned up and brought back in! Sounds good in theory, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly all of it will come together if we're in the lounge and the dog signals it's time to go...
Aug 25, 2018, 1:00 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
BA have a regular traveler between the UK and SYD with his dog in F. The dog is extremely well behaved and does his business in a thing like a cat litter. There was a kindly captain that got in trouble with the boss one day after he offered to take a passengers guide dog outside to lift his leg on a stopover. Somebody took a photo from the spectators area of the Captain and guide dog, which of course made the press.
At least I only had a picture of the flight engineer chasing a rat out of F with the crash axe.
At least I only had a picture of the flight engineer chasing a rat out of F with the crash axe.
Aug 25, 2018, 1:11 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
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A few years ago there was a regular domestic traveller with his guide dog and they both had BAEC Silver status - the guide dog was quite a celebrity on their travels and all the crew loved him.
Aug 25, 2018, 2:07 am
#12
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Aug 25, 2018, 6:06 am
#13
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There is a BA staff member whose partner has a guide dog and I occasionally see them and their dog on the shorthaul travels. I think I've now done about 8 flights with this very well behaved CE passenger.l
Aug 25, 2018, 9:16 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 699
The lady is called Inger and she has a beautiful guide dog called Billie.
A few years ago there was a regular domestic traveller with his guide dog and they both had BAEC Silver status - the guide dog was quite a celebrity on their travels and all the crew loved him.
A few years ago there was a regular domestic traveller with his guide dog and they both had BAEC Silver status - the guide dog was quite a celebrity on their travels and all the crew loved him.
Aug 25, 2018, 10:22 am
#15
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