Regional Express: Pet Policy

Does my pet qualify for travel as checked baggage?

Domestic animals, with the exception of guide & hearing dogs will be accepted for check-in provided the animal is carried in a suitable domestic animal container that that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements. Animals will be accepted as excess baggage only and charged at the current excess baggage rate per kilogram. Hoved animals are not accepted on any Rex services.

Assistance Animals

  • Rex allows the carriage of guide dogs and assistance dogs for the hearing or vision impaired in the cabin of our aircraft free of charge. If you require this type of assistance animal to travel in the cabin with you, at least 48 hours notice must be given at the time of booking.
  • Other assistance animals which provide an actual service to the customer in the cabin such as medical alert dogs, must be approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on a case by case basis before we can allow them to travel in the cabin. 5 full working days are needed to obtain appropriate CASA approvals. Any CASA fees in obtaining such an approval will be passed onto the customer.

The animal must be trained to a level which meets or exceeds the requirements of Assistance Dogs International. In determining the suitability of the training, Rex shall consider the training organisation’s accreditation against the requirements of Section 9 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Assistance animals will only be permitted in the Cabin if they have been trained by an organisation accredited by or affiliated with Assistance Dogs International, Assistance Dogs Australia or which satisfies the requirements of various state legislation and guidelines in training for Public Access.

The animal must have passed a Public Access Test within 12 months prior to the flight date. Proof of the test such as the certificate or a current assistance animal Identity Card must be produced at check-in. Failure to provide the documentation will result in the animal being carried in the cargo hold. In this case the customer may be required to take the animal to Australian Air Express for consignment.

The animal must be suitably harnessed, relieved before boarding and at any intermediate stops. The owner must supply an absorbent mat to prevent soiling of the cabin. The animal may also travel in the aircraft hold at your request. All other animals must be consigned as freight or checked-in for carriage in the aircraft hold. REX will not be liable for any injury, loss or death of any assistance animal.

For more information contact Regional Express directly.