Animal Airways, a British company specializing in veterinary travel logistics and pet relocation, has announced a groundbreaking international service designed to support blind and visually impaired passengers flying with their guide dogs. The initiative aims to address long-standing gaps in regulation, veterinary support, and documentation processes that have left many travelers without adequate solutions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 39 million people worldwide who are blind, with an additional 246 million living with moderate to severe vision impairment. This represents a significant global community of potential guide dog users, highlighting the responsibility to ensure that wherever guide dogs travel, they are supported with professional veterinary care, documentation, and safe transport solutions.
The experience of Elad Davidovich, a blind traveler who has flown across the world with his guide dog Mirvis, brings the issue to life. On a recent journey supported by Animal Airways, Mirvis was upgraded to the business class cabin, providing him with the extra comfort and space that large guide dogs often need. “Elad loves sharing the story,” says the Animal Airways team. “Every time he lands, he tells people how Mirvis settled quietly by his side throughout the flight and how stress-free the experience was compared to past trips. For Elad, it’s not just about reaching a destination – it’s about traveling with dignity and independence.”
The United Kingdom is home to one of the world’s largest and most respected assistance dog organizations: Guide Dogs UK. As of late 2024, they support 3,197 active guide dog partnerships. However, the challenge is not only British – around the world, major guide dog associations are striving to support thousands of partnerships between blind people and their guide dogs. With its strong British base and global expertise, Animal Airways has already facilitated flights across multiple continents, ensuring veterinary clearances, paperwork, and airline approvals are in place before departure.
“Across Britain and internationally, guide dog users face similar barriers,” explains Luiza Rosemberg, one of the veterinarians at Animal Airways. “Our mission is to work hand-in-hand with charities, airlines, and regulators worldwide to ensure that guide dog owners can travel freely and safely, wherever life takes them.”
While airlines have made progress in recognizing the rights of passengers with assistance animals, there remains no organization that manages the full chain of veterinary care, legal compliance, documentation, and safe transport for guide dogs. Animal Airways fills this gap with its comprehensive travel service tailored to guide dog users. Services include veterinary pre-clearance and health certification, preparation and submission of all travel documentation, custom flight-path planning, and continuous support before, during, and after flights to ensure smooth journeys.
Animal Airways is not only offering services but also calling for collaboration. “Air travel should be about inclusion, dignity, and independence,” adds Rosemberg. “By removing unnecessary obstacles, we can transform not just the flying experience, but the lives of thousands of people who depend on their guide dogs daily.” The company is inviting partnerships with charities in the UK and worldwide, as well as with airlines that want to strengthen their accessibility policies.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.