Flying with animals

Assistance dogs are welcome aboard TAP

Dogs are the only assistance animals allowed on board TAP. They travel for free and are generally carried in the cabin.
Emotional assistance dogs

TAP will no longer accept bookings for transportation of Emotional Assistance Animals (ESAN), used for therapeutic purposes, without the need for any training beyond the basic, from 15 January 2021.

The service continues to be guaranteed on bookings already confirmed to this date.

Meet the assistance dogs allowed on board:

Assistance dogs allowed on board our flights must be at least 10 weeks old
They are in the Assistance Animal category (SVAN) and receive training to perform owner/tutor assistance tasks such as:
1
Guide Dog
2
Hearing dog
3
Service dog
Training assistance dogs are accepted if accompanied by their trainer or host family. Host families are considered to be those who receive assistance dogs during the animal's socialisation and adaptation phase to human coexistence and are accredited as such.

What do you need to fly with your assistance dog?

To travel with a service dog on TAP, you must always:
  • Request this service, at the counter or through this form, at least 48 hours before the flight.
  • Ensure that the dog is properly identified as a Service Animal (SVAN).
  • Present a training certificate1 of the dog issued by a recognised institute when you book.2
  • Ensure that the dog has an animal passport, issued by a veterinarian, attesting to its identification and anti-rabies vaccination or, in countries which do not issue animal passports, an official veterinary health certificate.
  • Proof of compliance with legally required health requirements.
  • Proof of compliance with the obligations concerning liability insurance.
On flights to/from the USA, it is not necessary to present your dog's training certificate. The following forms must be completed and submitted when booking flights to and from the USA:
US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (PDF, 150KB, EN) For passengers wishing to travel with an SVAN. Open in a new window
US Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (PDF, 113KB, EN) For passengers wishing to travel with a SVAN on flights of 8h or more. Open in a new window
Before transporting your assistance animal (SVAN) to the UK, please contact the destination airport (for the contacts of to the airports of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, see below).

It is the passenger's responsibility to have all the documents necessary for the transport of their animal. For more information, see the page: Guide and Assistance Dogs (English page). After landing, you must wait for assistance at the destination, so that all documentation is confirmed before leaving the plane. 

Contacts for assistance services at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports:

Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Pet checker: ARC Heathrow
Phone: +44 (0) 208 745 7894
E-mail: Harc@cityoflondon.gov.uk 
URL: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/animal-reception-centre

Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Pet checker: ARC Heathrow
Phone: + 44 (0) 129 355 5580
E-mail: office@animalaircare.co.uk 
URL: https://www.animalaircare.co.uk 

Manchester Airport (MAN)
Pet checker: ABM (Duty Manager)
Phone: + 44 (0) 758 447 6200
URL: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/pet-travel-scheme 

1The certification of the animal's training as an assistance dog is made through the issuing of a proper and distinctive card issued by the national or international assistance dog training establishment which issues an identification card to host families and assistance dogs in training.

2On flights to/from the USA, it is not necessary to present this certificate.

How to transport your assistance dog

Assistance dogs always travel in the cabin.

Service dogs must be transported under the following conditions to ensure the safety and welfare of passengers and animals:

  • Without a container, at the owner’s feet.
  • Always on a leash.
  • Without occupying a passenger seat.
  • Without moving around in the cabin.
Do you have any other questions about the carriage of assistance dogs?
    Please read our FAQ.
View FAQ

This information only concerns the non-commercial movements of dogs recognised as Service Animals (SVAN). If you need information regarding the import and export of animals, you should contact the respective embassies or consulates.

TAP Air Portugal reserves the right to refuse acceptance if the animal presents signs of disease, agression, lack of hygiene, or any other abnormal characteristic likely to impact flight safety.

TAP complies with the following regulations in force:
- EU Regulation No. 1107/2006 of 5 July 2006 on the rights of passengers with reduced mobility.
- Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 382 of the US Department of Transportation, in force since 13 May 2009, applicable to passengers travelling to/from the US.