Blind Citizens Australia Home Page
AIRLINE
POLICY for Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue.
First published on BCA home page:
Last updated:
BCA advisory
notice: BCA recommends to all members that in addition to the
information provided below, it is advisable that you call the relevant carrier
prior to purchasing a ticket to double check and clarify their policy on fares
and guide dogs.
In addition to this information, you may want to read
the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) ‘Travel tips for
people who are blind or vision impaired’
Reservations: 131313
Web: www.qantas.com.au
Before reading the Qantas policy below, it is
important that members read the following caveat stated by Qantas in their
correspondence with BCA: The caveat states - ‘Policies and Procedures change
regularly and are revised by Legal. They are available through Reservations
when making bookings on 131313. It is advisable to contact Reservations for
updated policies before purchase’.
Carers Fare changed to ‘Community Fares’:
Qantas have changed their Carers Fare structure to
what is now called Community Fare. People who are blind or vision impaired and
their nominated career, travelling together, are eligible to discounts under
the Community Fare Structure. These discounts are :
- 50% off full Business Class Fare
- 10% off full Economy Class Fare
- 10% off the majority of other Economy Class Fares,
excluding Red e fares.
- Wavier on the booking fee.
The Community Fare cannot be booked through travel
agents. They are only available through direct contact with Qantas via their
reservations number 131313 or a Qantas Travel Centre.
Passengers who are blind or vision impaired who have
booked a Community Fare need to produce one of the following forms of
identification when checking in:
- A Centrelink Pension Card (Blind);
- NICAN card; or a
- NSW Vision Impaired Persons permit. This is Issued
by State Transit and State Rail Authorities of NSW. The pass entitles the
holder to concessions on government transport in NSW and free travel for an approved attendant. Contact: NSW City Rail
Passes and Concessions Office (02) 9379 4441
The Community Fare is not available for international
travel. It is only available for domestic travel within Australia and domestic
travel within New Zealand on the Qantas network.
Guide Dogs
Information from Qantas website on Guide Dogs:
“Special Case of Guide Dogs
If you are sight or hearing impaired, your fare also
covers carriage of your guide dog as part of your cabin baggage. However, you
must notify us of the requirement for your guide dog to travel when you make
your reservation. You must bring all the dog's health and vaccination
certificates, entry permits, and all other documents required by any applicable
law, regulation or order. Guide dog carriage shall be subject to such other
policies as Qantas may implement from time to time in relation to the carriage
of guide dogs”. http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/conditionsCarriageLong#jump1
Additional information provided by Qantas on guide
dogs:
Qantas understand that service dogs trained by any of
the registered organisations within Australia are trained to the highest
degree. However because their policies are used worldwide it is necessary to
spell out what level of training is required before a service dog will be
allowed to travel in the cabin. This certainly does not impact on any
registered organisation that is devoted to training service dogs. However
Qantas have on occasions been asked to carry dogs that have been trained
independently of such organisations and as such Qantas need to be satisfied
that the dog is able to travel with us.
Reservations: 131 538
Web: www.jetstar.com.au
Fares: Jetstar is a discounted carrier, so there are
no discount fares for people who are blind or vision impaired
Guide Dogs: Taken from Jetstar web site - http://www.jetstar.com.au/fullterms.html
“GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE, JETSTAR AIRWAYS PTY
LIMITED
ABN 33 069 720 243, General Conditions of Carriage
Passenger and Baggage) July 2005
5.3 Carriage of Wheelchairs and Guide Dogs
Your fare also covers carriage of your registered
guide dog, hearing or mobility dog if you require one to travel. The dog must
be seated at your feet during the flight if possible. You must notify us of the
requirement for your dog to travel when you make your Booking as the number of
dogs that can be carried per flight is limited and we may need to suggest
alternative dates or times of travel if your dog cannot be accommodated on your
selected flight.
In the case of guide, hearing and mobility dogs, you must
confirm that the dog is properly registered at the time of Booking and you must
provide a recognised ID card or documentation for the dog at the time of
checking in.
Your wheelchair, should you require one, may be
carried in the hold at no extra charge. We can accommodate up to two wheelchair
passengers on each flight, subject to the limitations of the aircraft. Further
information is available from Jetstar Reservations.
Carriage of guide, hearing or mobility dogs and
wheelchairs shall be subject to such other requirements as we may implement
from time to time”.
Reservations: 131011
Fares: Singapore Airlines provide a locally approved
policy (applicable in Australia only) whereby Singapore Airlines offers a
person escorting a blind passenger a discount of 50% off selected fare types.
Quotations for travel for passengers who may fall into this category can be
obtained from any Singapore Airlines ticket office in Australia. Such
discounted travel must be supported by relevant documentation from a medical
practitioner or accredited organization.
Guide Dogs: Guide dogs accompanying their owners will
be accepted in the passenger cabin provided a moisture absorbent mat is placed
on the cabin floor, underneath the dog, at all times. Guide dogs will be
carried without charge and they must be muzzled and harnessed. It is the
responsibility of the passenger to ensure that all government regulations and
documentation requirements for the uplift, transit and disembarkation of the
guide dog are complied with.
Reservations: Virgin Blue Australia 13 6789
Reservations: Pacific Blue Australia 13 1645
Fares: Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue are discounted
carriers, so there are no reduced fares for people who are blind or vision
impaired
Guide Dogs: Guide Dog policy for Virgin Blue and
Pacific Blue taken off the internet: http://www.virginblue.com.au/info/terms.php
“18.2 All Travel: Service assist dogs accompanying
sight or hearing impaired Guests may be carried free of charge in addition to
the Carry-on Baggage allowance, subject to any conditions specified by the
Carrier. International Travel Guests must bring all the dog’s health and
vaccination certificates, entry permits and all other documents required by any
applicable laws, regulations or orders of any country to be flown from, to or
over. The Carrier will not be liable for injury to or loss, illness, disability
or death of any service assist dog, or in the event that it is refused entry
into, or passage through any country, state or territory”.
In addition to the guide dog information above, the
guide dog should be fully trained and if not fully trained, accompanied by
trainer and in harness. As well, the dog should be seated on an absorbent mat
which can be provided by Virgin Blue. Virgin Blue can carry up to 2 guide dogs
per flight.