Blindness is not a topic most of us give much thought when planning our travel adventures. Statistics are not available for the number of foreign tourists who descend on India annually. But of the estimated 37 million blind people worldwide, approximately 15 million of them call India home. Recent events involving two separate airline carriers in India have sparked a reminder that blind people traveling by airplane must prepare for flight differently from most passengers.

India’s Civil Aviation guidelines state no airline can refuse to carry persons with disability or persons with reduced mobility provided such persons inform the airline of their requirement at the time of booking or check-in for travel. Playing by the following rules will help you avoid a refusal of service by the airlines of India:

Jet Airways:

Assistance with directions, navigating the terminals, and wheelchair use is available. Persons traveling without a service animal must be accompanied by a seeing co-passenger.

Service animals are accepted on International flights and flights within India, subject to the following conditions:

•   The guest with the disability and the service dog may travel in any class, subject to seat assignment complying with safety regulations.
•    The guest is required to carry a mat (moisture absorbent), appropriate food for the animal and a container for water.
•    It is recommended that the animal be muzzled in the cabin.
•    The moisture absorbent mat must be placed on the floor near the seat where the animal will sit.
•    All government regulations for uplift, transit and disembarking stations are to be complied with regarding the carriage of the animal (certification of vaccinations, entry permits etc. as required by the country of disembarkation).
•    The animal should not obstruct access to an emergency exit or aisle.

IndiGo

Guide dogs for blind customers are allowed, but any customer traveling with a guide dog should make his/her reservation via the IndiGo Call Center and provide us notice that a guide dog will be traveling. Please note that guide dogs for the blind may not occupy any seat.  The customer is required to bring a moisture absorbent mat, and to place it under the guide dog.  Further, the guide dog should be properly trained, restrained and muzzled.

Kingfisher

Assistance is available at the airport. Persons with special needs must inform the reservation agent at the time of booking. Specific rules for guide dogs is not provided. An accompanying seeing passenger may be required for travel.

SpiceJet

•    Guests who are not self reliant (capable of taking care of all their physical needs independently in-flight) must travel with a ticketed companion for assistance.
•    SpiceJet would request visually impaired guests to check-in early for their flight (approximately 2-3 hours before flight departure) to ensure a smooth flight experience.
•    If assistance is required within the airport, please identify your needs at check-in or at the time of booking. SpiceJet will be able to extend a meet and assist service to the guest to help in boarding, deplaning and also during flight connections.
•    Visually impaired guests traveling with a guide dog should make his/her reservation via the SpiceJet Call Centre and provide us notice that a guide dog will be traveling. Please note that guide dogs for the blind may not occupy any seat. The Customer is required to bring a moisture absorbent mat to place it under the guide dog. Further, the guide dog should be properly trained, restrained and muzzled. A meet and assist service can be provided, if assistance is required at departure and on arrival.

Air India

•    A dog trained to lead the blind, which accompanies the passenger with impaired vision will not be carried unless proper permits are obtained for entry into the country or territory of destination and countries of transit, where such permits are required.
•    All permits are required to be presented at the time of reservation.
•    The dog must be properly harnessed and muzzled.
•    The dog may be carried in the passenger cabin or in the hold depending upon the individual country’s regulations as well as size of the dog.
•    The dog shall not be permitted to occupy a seat.
•    The dog will be carried free of charge in addition to the normal free baggage allowance.
•    If any country or territory on the route prohibits the entry of dogs, carriage will be refused.
•    All formalities required by the government authorities at the destination/transit stations are complied with.
•    On long haul and non-stop flights, Pets/Dog in the passenger compartment or hold is not permitted.