What is the role of a seeing-eye dog for a blind passenger?

The role of a seeing-eye dog, also known as a guide dog, is to provide specialized assistance to visually impaired or blind individuals by guiding them safely through their environment. This includes helping the passenger navigate obstacles, find their way in unfamiliar spaces, and ensure they can safely proceed to their destination.

In the context of air travel, a seeing-eye dog plays a critical role in ensuring that the blind passenger can move around the airport and on the aircraft with confidence and safety. The dog is trained to respond to commands and to navigate around various situations that might arise during travel, such as crowded areas or changes in elevation. Their assistance primarily focuses on guiding the passenger rather than providing companionship or directly alerting cabin crew members. This functionality is vital for the independence and safety of the visually impaired individual during their journey.