Air travel if you are blind or visually impaired

When you travel by air, always let your airline, travel agent or tour operator know if you need any extra assistance at the airport or on the plane. Request this at least 48 hours before you fly, so that there is time to organise the support you need.

At the airport

For blind or visually impaired people, there are support services on request at airports. These include:

someone to meet you and guide you through check-in, baggage check and customs controls
someone to tell you personally when your plane is boarding if you are in a 'silent airport'
someone to help you board the plane and stow any luggage

At a security search, always explain your impairment and ask airport security staff to repack bags in a specific order for you, so that you know where essential items are located.

The Northern Ireland Consumer Council has produced an access to to air travel guide which you can download as a PDF document at the following link:

On the plane

The safety demonstration given by the cabin crew to all passengers at the beginning of a flight should be available in other formats, such as Braille and audio versions. You should request this in advance if needed.

Cabin crew should:

tell you more general information about the plane
tell you about its services and facilities
describe the layout of your food tray to you
open any packaging that is awkward
help you find your way to the toilet

Guide dogs and air travel

If you want to take your guide dog on the plane with you, always tell the airline about this in advance. The airline can ask the owner to produce proof that the dog has been trained by a recognised organisation. In the UK these organisations are members of Assistance Dogs UK.

Assistance Dogs UK website

You should also check the airline's policy on carrying guide dogs. Guide dogs should be allowed to travel free-of-charge and in the passenger cabin with you.

When travelling with a guide dog, you should carry identification for yourself and the dog and a car safety harness suitable for securing the dog at take-off and landing and at any other time that the airline requires it.

Pet Travel Scheme

If you want to take your dog with you on an international trip, the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) could help you avoid long quarantine periods for your dog when you return to the UK.

Not all airlines operate the scheme, so it is best to check with them beforehand. Pets travelling on airlines under the scheme are normally carried in the hold of the plane, but there is an exemption that allows guide dogs and other assistance dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners.

There is more information on the scheme in the travel, transport and roads section of this website.