Assistance dogs - British Airways

Assistance dogsDeaf passengers – SSR DEAF/Blind passengers – SSR BLNDPlease specify if the passenger is accompanied by a guide dog. Certifiedassistance dogs will be carried in the cabin.An assistance dog trained to provide assistance to customers with reducedmobility may travel with the passenger in the aircraft cabin free of charge.bmi can carry assistance dogs on any UK domestic flight (bmi Regional) and allinternational flights to and from London Heathrow.bmi will normally only carry one assistance dog per flight however two may beaccepted if they are travelling as a family or group. Assistance dogs can travel inany cabin.Acceptance of carriage is subject to the following criteria:The booking must be made at least 7 days in advanceIt is the owners responsibility to ensure that their dog is compliant withthe rules of the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme*. The dog must be microchipped and the owner must carry all the required paperwork. Moreinformation can be found on the DEFRA website:http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/The dog must be reserved and issued a window seatAll reasonable efforts will be made to ensure a bulkhead seatThe seat next to the customer will be blocked off at no additional chargeA SSR must be entered showing "ASSISTANCE DOG"The clearing agent must be pre-advised of any booking made*.Reservations will contact the clearing agent by fax. The standard bmi faxtemplate should be used and must include the customer's name, flightdetails, pre travel contact details and details of the agent transmitting theinformation. See below for clearing agent contact details.The PETC comment must be used at check-in. In addition to the "pet incabin" comment the appropriate PRM identifier should be used such asDEAF or BLNDThe dog should be wearing a harness that allows it to be looped throughthe aircraft seatbelt for take off and landingThe dog should have a coat or harness identifying them has an assistancedog.*Only required for flights to the UKClearing agent detailsAnimal Reception CentreBeacon RoadLondon Heathrow AirportMiddlesex

HounslowTW6 3JFTel: +44 (0) 208 745 7894/5Fax: +44 (0) 0208 745 3477At the airportOn arrival at London the customer will be asked to wait for a bmi escort. Thecustomer will then be taken to the clearing agent. This rendezvous point willnormally be on the airbridge, coach arrival point or clearing agent premises. Theclearing agents will carry out the DEFRA checks and provide the customer with aclearance certificate. The clearing agent should also escort the customer throughcustoms and immigration.Should the dog fail the DEFRA checks, the dog will be transferred in a securekennel to the clearing agents premises to attempt to resolve the problem. If theproblem cannot be resolved the dog will be transferred to a licensed quarantinekennels at the owner's expense.