Yes, you may travel with your service dog as long as you comply with the applicable documentation and regulations. Please let us know that you will be traveling with a service dog in the cabin when purchasing your ticket on avianca.com, or after your purchase through Manage your booking. You may also contact our Contact Center at least 48 hours prior to your flight departure.
In Colombia, the recognition of assistance dogs is governed by Decree 1079 of 2015. Under this regulation, a dog may only be recognized as an assistance dog if it has been trained by organizations that are members of, or accredited by, the Colombian Association of Zootherapy, the only organization authorized by the ICA. This ensures that the assistance dog has received the training and certification required to support a person with a disability in public and private settings.
- For tickets purchased on or after July 31, 2026, you may travel with one service dog, guide dog, or rescue dog, unless the laws of the origin or destination country allow exceptions.
- We do not impose breed restrictions on service dogs. However, some countries may establish entry requirements or restrictions. It is the passenger’s responsibility to comply with the regulations of the competent authorities at the destination.
- We accept service dogs at no additional charge, regardless of their size, provided they can be safely accommodated in the cabin without obstructing aisles, emergency exits, or aircraft evacuation procedures.
If it is determined that, for safety reasons, your service dog cannot travel in the designated cabin space, you may choose one of the following options:
- Your dog may travel in the cargo hold at no additional cost.
- You may purchase an additional seat so your dog has more floor space. The seat may not be occupied by the dog during any phase of the flight.
- We will make every effort to relocate you to another seat within the same cabin class where your dog can be safely accommodated.
If none of these options are feasible, we may rebook you on another flight.
Review the required documentation. We recommend completing the form and submitting the required documents up to 48 hours before your flight departure so they can be reviewed prior to travel.
Register your service dog before traveling to the United States from Colombia
To make your trip easier, we have partnered with Open Doors Organization, an organization that promotes accessibility in the travel and transportation industry. If you are traveling from Colombia to the United States with a service dog, we recommend registering your dog's documentation on the Open Doors Organization platform at least 48 hours before your flight's departure. This will allow the information to be reviewed before your trip. Follow these steps:
- Go to the platform and register your service dog.
- Complete the required information. Before starting the process, review the documentation required to travel with a service dog to the United States.
- Wait for confirmation.
- Your request will be reviewed, and your service dog will be assigned a 10-digit Unique Identification Number (Service Animal ID) along with its name.
- On the day of travel, you must carry your Service Animal ID, the confirmation email, a copy of the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form, and all health requirements established by the relevant authorities.
For future trips
You will only need to access the portal again and add your new reservation information through Travel Notification. Your service dog's Service Animal ID can also be used to travel with other airlines that are part of the Open Doors Organization network.
Important: If your dog does not meet the requirements to be considered a service dog, it may travel under the applicable conditions for pets.
If you have questions about the process, contact our Contact center.
- Please present yourself at the airport counter to verify all required documentation. For international flights, arrive at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time. For domestic flights, please arrive at least 2 hours in advance.
- If you are traveling to the United States and already have your boarding pass, you may proceed directly to the boarding gate with the required documentation.
- Remember to bring all required travel documents, as they may be requested at the airport, including the form for transporting pets in the hold and cabin. If you don’t have it, you can get it from our service agents at the airport counter.
- Starting August 10, 2026, you will be able to register your service dog's documentation through Open Doors Organization. If you have already completed the application, on the day of your flight you must present the confirmation email, your Service Animal ID, the PDF of the DOT form issued by Open Doors Organization, and all health requirements established by the relevant authorities, in either physical or digital format.
- The airport animal health authorities and avianca reserve the right to refuse to admit or transport the pet if the pet doesn't meet the safety and regulatory requirements for a flight.
- The service dog must behave appropriately in public. For example:
- Remain on your feet.
- Do not run freely around the airport.
- Do not bark or growl repeatedly at other people at the airport.
- Do not attempt to bite other people.
- Do not jump over people.
- The dog must not do its physiological needs at the airport.
- If your dog exhibits potentially aggressive behavior, you must carry a muzzle and use it when necessary. Our crew may require its use if behavior is identified that could pose a risk to other passengers, crew members, or the operation.
- If your service dog displays inappropriate behavior, boarding may be denied. Whenever possible, we may transport the dog in the cargo hold, subject to availability.
- You must place the dog at your feet or on your legs during the flight (as long as the dog does not exceed the size of a small child in a position to fly on your legs).
- For safety reasons, your service dog may not occupy a seat during any phase of the flight.
- The service dog must behave appropriately in public. For example:
- Remain on your feet.
- Do not run freely around the aircraft.
- Do not bark or growl repeatedly at others onboard.
- Do not attempt to bite other people.
- Do not jump over people.
- The dog must not do its physiological needs onboard.
- If your dog exhibits potentially aggressive behavior, you must carry a muzzle and use it when necessary. Our crew may require its use if behavior is identified that could pose a risk to other passengers, crew members, or the operation.