ESTCA
European Standard for Travel with Canine Animals
A behavioural and welfare readiness certification. An accredited ESTCA trainer assesses the dog across five areas: foundation behaviour, settled behaviour in a confined space, environmental resilience, equipment and handler interaction, and integrated travel readiness. If the dog meets the standard, the certificate goes into the public register, where airlines and the public can verify it by passport number.
It does not: identify the dog, confirm vaccinations, or grant cabin access on its own. It is a signal of readiness; airlines retain final authority over their cabin-pet policies.
EU Pet Passport
Identity and veterinary document
Issued by an authorised vet under EU pet movement rules. Records the dog's microchip number, rabies vaccination, and other veterinary requirements. Required to move pets between EU countries.
It does not: say anything about behaviour, training, temperament or suitability for cabin travel. ESTCA is designed to complement the pet passport, not replace it.
Emotional Support Animal letter
US mental-health document about the owner
A letter from a mental-health professional asserting that the animal's presence supports their client. It is documentation about the human, not an assessment of the animal. Largely no longer accepted by US airlines after rule changes, and never a defined category in EU aviation.
It does not: certify the dog's behaviour, training, or readiness in any way. ESTCA is not a replacement for an ESA letter — they answer different questions.
Service dog
Trained working animal for a person with a disability
A dog individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability — guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility-assistance dogs, medical-alert dogs. Operates under disability-rights frameworks with broad public-access rights, including aircraft cabins.
It is not: a category that ESTCA assesses. ESTCA covers pet dogs travelling with their owners. Service dogs follow separate, stricter training and access rules.
