Service Dogs (Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs) and Service Dogs Under Training that have been approved by Jetstar are permitted to be carried in the aircraft cabin on Jetstar flights.
In addition to Jetstar's general Conditions of Carriage that apply to all passengers, these specific conditions of carriage apply to Service Dogs and Service Dogs Under Training.
A. All flights – domestic and international
1. The Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training must be accompanied by its Handler or Accompanying Trainer at all times during the flight.
2. The Handler must ensure that the following current identity documents are available in their carry-on baggage and produced if requested:
- an identity card issued by a member organisation of Assistance Dogs International (ADI); or
- an identity card issued under the Queensland Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act (Queensland Act); or
- an approval letter issued by Jetstar.
For Jetstar Japan (GK) flights only, a certificate and a health check book defined by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare must be presented.
3. The Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training must be wearing its harness, vest, coat and/or medallion, identifying it as a Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training.
4. The Handler or Accompanying Trainer must occupy the seat, and the Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training must be seated on the floor in the space allocated by Jetstar, not on the adjacent seat or in the Handler or Accompanying Trainer's lap.
5. The Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training must be placed on a moisture absorbent mat and be secured in a way to prevent it from moving from the mat at all times during the flight. For safety reasons the dog must be restrained by attaching its leash to the aircraft seat leg, seat track ring or other tether point approved by Jetstar. The leash should have the ability to be shortened or lengthened as required. For safety reasons, the dog should not be secured directly from its collar or to the aircraft seatbelt being worn by a passenger, and must not obstruct the aisle or emergency exits.
6. The Handler, Accompanying Trainer and/or Training Organisation must accept full responsibility for the Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training, including attending to the dog’s needs for the duration of their travel and any damage to other people, premises or facilities caused by the dog.
7. The Service Dog or the Service Dog Under Training does not receive a separate baggage allowance.
8. Handlers or Accompanying Trainers (and the Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training) must generally pre-board the aircraft (i.e. before other passengers board the aircraft). This is for the passenger and dog’s safety and comfort, and to allow time for cabin crew to complete their individual safety briefing to the passenger and to ensure that the dog is properly secured.
9. Jetstar’s priority is the safety of our aircraft, our passengers and our crew. Jetstar will not carry any Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training which is likely to affect a person on the aircraft in any way that may adversely affect the safety of the aircraft. The Pilot in Command has the final decision as to whether or not the Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training is carried on the day of travel and may impose any further conditions that he or she requires in the interests of safety. Jetstar reserves the right to take any action necessary to ensure the safety of the aircraft, including in circumstances where a Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training is behaving in an uncontrollable, aggressive, and/or dangerous manner.
10. If a Service Dog or Service Dog Under Training has been approved to travel in the aircraft cabin and there is an issue with the dog at the airport or during flight (including but not limited to any issue that compromises or threatens to compromise cabin safety, the safety of staff, the public or passengers), Jetstar reserves the right to refuse any future request for that dog to travel in the cabin of the aircraft.
B. International flights only
In addition to the conditions of carriage set out above, the following additional conditions of carriage apply to Service Dogs on international Jetstar flights:
1. Service Dogs may be permitted in the aircraft cabin on international flights, subject to operational requirements, local airport authority requirements and civil aviation safety and/or quarantine regulations.
2. Service Dogs are not permitted to travel to or from Thailand. With the exception of Thailand, Service Dogs are generally permitted to travel on international routes operated by Jetstar to countries outside of Australia, however you should check with the Quarantine Authorities in the relevant countries before making your booking.
3. It is the Handler’s responsibility to ensure that all Quarantine requirements are met for all international travel.
4. When travelling internationally, restrictions and regulations concerning the uplift, transit, disembarkation, inoculation and quarantine of animals must be checked by the Handler. Most countries have strict regulations and failure to adhere to these regulations may result in the Service Dog being separated from the Handler for several months or at worst, the dog being euthanised. The Handler should refer to the relevant Quarantine Authority for more information.
5. The Handler must ensure that the correct documentation (including inoculation certificates or entry permits) is carried with the Handler in their carry-on luggage at all times to ensure that the Service Dog can lawfully depart the country of origin and be cleared for entry into the country of arrival. Under no circumstances will Jetstar accept liability for the failure of entry clearance of the Service Dog at the destination or any other arrival port, including due to incorrect or insufficient documentation.
6. When travelling internationally, the Handler should consider relevant local customs or regulations concerning dogs in public places, such as restaurants and hotels. Jetstar accepts no responsibility or liability should the dog be denied access to such public places.
7. If the aircraft is diverted, Jetstar will assist where possible but under no circumstances will Jetstar accept liability if the Service Dog is no longer approved for quarantine clearance at the destination, any other arrival port or when entering or returning to the departure port.
8. If you are travelling on any international flight with a carrier other than Jetstar, you must speak to that carrier to discuss carriage of your Service Dog.
9. Service Dogs Under Training are not carried on international flights operated by Jetstar.
C. Service Dogs Under Training
In addition to the conditions of carriage set out above, the following additional conditions of carriage apply to approved Service Dogs Under Training.
1. Service Dogs Under Training are limited to a maximum of:
- two individual Economy Class Domestic flights (e.g. a return city pair) for the purpose of travelling to experience the aircraft environment prior to certification, where each flight should not exceed three hours; and
- a single Economy Class Domestic flight for the purpose of delivery. Service Dogs Under Training that have completed their training program and are travelling for placement with their Handler can undertake a Domestic flight of any duration.
Note: if additional flights are requested and approved by Jetstar, the Accompanying Trainer or Training Organisation must pay for the second seat that the dog sits in front of, and their own seat.
2. Service Dogs Under Training are not carried on international flights operated by Jetstar or on any flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) or Jetstar Japan (GK).
3. If a Service Dog Under Training is approved for carriage in the aircraft cabin, that approval is only approval for carriage as a Service Dog Under Training. Once the dog's training and certification has been completed, the dog will require a new approval as a Service Dog.
4. The Accompanying Trainer must ensure that the following current identity documents are available in their carry-on baggage and produced if requested:
For the Accompanying Trainer:
- a current trainer's identity card issued by a member organisation of ADI; or
- a current trainer’s identity card issued under the Queensland Act; or
- an approval letter issued by Jetstar.
For the Service Dog Under Training:
- current documentation issued by a member organisation of ADI or under the Queensland Act for the Service Dog Under Training demonstrating that the dog has achieved a standard suitable for travel on public transport, including an aircraft cabin (e.g. a Public Access Test).