It's quite an emotional day for some passengers after flag carrier Singapore Airlines revised their policy, with the new reflection indicating that it is disallowing passengers to fly with their emotional support dogs from April 1st next year. And no, this is most certainly not an advance April Fool's prank.

Traveling with emotional support dogs

Before the policy revision, Singapore Airlines welcomed passengers to fly with their emotional support dog without additional weight or booking charges in the aircraft cabin as long as the dog complied with specific conditions and the regulations of the departure, transit, and destination country.

All emotional support dogs must be at least four months old, be trained to obey commands, and not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other passengers. Furthermore, smaller dogs that aren't larger than the size of a two-year-old child may sit on passenger's laps, while larger dogs must sit on the cabin floor.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380
Photo: Getty Images

The airline also requires passengers to produce a signed statement from a licensed mental health professional to indicate what the emotional support dog is needed for and what mental or emotional disability the passenger has. However, all bookings for the emotional support dogs and documentation has to be made at least two weeks before the passenger's departure.

For example, two corgis recently flew a 17-hour flight on Singapore Airlines flight SQ 33 from San Francisco International Airport to Changi International Airport in business class. The pups had specific built-in corgi seating areas onboard as bookings were made in advance, and emotional support animal documentation was provided.

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Down to the cargo hold they go

Flying in aircraft cabins for emotional support dogs will no longer be possible from April 1st. Should passengers wish to transport their emotional support dogs, they should contact their local Singapore Airlines Cargo office for transportation assistance before their flight so that payable arrangements can be made for the dogs to be in the cargo hold.

The policy revision comes as certain countries have stricter import and export regulations, such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Bali, and the UK. Regarding the change, an airline spokesperson said:

"Singapore Airlines is continuously reviewing and benchmarking our policies against the industry norm."

The flag carrier also highlights that while the policy revision takes immediate effect from April 1st, passengers departing from Singapore may still travel with their emotional support dogs onboard after the cut-off date, but only if the request and bookings were made before April 1st.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10
Photo: Getty Images

Bottom line

Although Singapore Airlines generally do not allow pets in aircraft cabins, assistance dogs and emotional support dogs have been the exceptions for several years. However, the policy revision will only impact passengers traveling with emotional support dogs. In contrast, assistance dogs, such as guide and hearing dogs, are still allowed in the cabins without additional charges.

Source: Channel News Asia

  • Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-941 (2)
    Singapore Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SQ/SIA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Singapore Changi Airport
    Year Founded:
    1972
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    CEO:
    Goh Choon Phong
    Country:
    Singapore