Assistance Dogs

Your one-stop guide to travelling through East Midlands Airport with your assistance dog

Have a comfortable journey through the airport

Recognised assistance dogs are welcome in the terminal, and can travel on a plane as long as they comply with the Pet Travel Scheme.

We’ve rounded up the key things to know for each part of your journey through the airport, for a smooth and comfortable experience. For further information, you can also visit Guide Dogs UK.

Before you travel

Contact your airline directly at least 48 hours prior to travel, so they can make any necessary arrangements.

Make sure your dog also has the correct paperwork for your return journey back to the UK. You can find more information on documentation on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.

Departing

When you arrive at the airport, please head over to the Assisted Travel desk in the main Check-In Hall before you go through Security. This will allow our team to complete the important paperwork.

We have two assistance dog relief areas at the airport. If you need to use one before Security, head outside of the terminal and you'll find it to the right after crossing the Rapid Drop Off area. Our Assisted Travel team will be able to point you in the right direction if needed.

The second is an artificially grassed relief area, located after Security - head just beyond Gate 17 on the upper floor, next to the lift doors. If your dog requires an outdoor or grassed space to spend (after Security) please request this from a member of the Assisted Travel team when registering, as you'll need a member of our team to escort you.

Security

Both you and your assistance dog need to go through Security screening to meet UK standards - we make this process as easy as possible.

When you arrive at the Security lane, our officers will ask you to any place personal belongings into the screening trays. You can keep the harness on your assistance dog.

You’ll be asked to stand in a body scanner to complete the check - your assistance dog isn’t allowed to be in the scanner at the same time. An officer will hold your assistance dog just until this step is complete.

Afterwards, you’ll be asked to take a seat whilst your dog’s harness is searched and swabbed. Once this is complete, you’re all done and you can continue on your journey.

Please remember to collect all your belongings from the Security trays before leaving the area. Our friendly Assisted Travel and Security team will be happy to help with this if necessary.

If you prefer some privacy, we have a separate search room where you and your assistance dogs harness can be screened.

Arriving

For your return journey back to East Midlands Airport, your airline should have already made our Assisted Travel team aware of your arrival. Please stay onboard until all other passengers have left the aircraft, and our trained team member has carried out all necessary documentation checks.

Once this has been completed, you’ll be assisted off the plane, and you can continue your journey through Immigration and onwards to Arrivals – this can be with or without the support from our Assisted Travel team, whatever you need.

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