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Emotional Support Animals On Planes: Guidelines & Which Airlines Allow ESAs 2024
Updated on
- Written by Jessica Holbrook, RN
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Maya Frankfurt, PhD
In January of 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation changed the laws regarding allowing emotional support animals on airplanes[1]. After this change, commercial airlines in the United States are no longer required to make accommodations when emotional support animals on planes.
While trained service dogs and their humans are still protected by the American Disabilities Act, airlines are not required to permit emotional support animals to be in the cabin of a plane.
How To Take Emotional Support Animals On Planes?
If you want to bring your emotional support animal into the passenger area of the plane, you will most likely have to pay a pet fee. If you have a large animal, you may have to put them in a crate and they will have to travel in the cargo area. Small animals may be allowed in the passenger area of a plane, but only if their carrier will fit in the foot space underneath an airline seat. Some international flights to still allow therapy animals to travel for free and in the passenger seating area, but you must have proper documentation for your emotional support animal.
Steps That Must Be Taken To Bring An ESA On A Plane
Certapet reviews can help you get a legitimate ESA letter so that you can travel with your emotional support animals on planes. If you want to bring service animals with you on a flight, you need to get your paperwork submitted at least 48 hours prior to boarding.
Step 1: Get A Medical Assessment Letter / ESA Letter
Before you can bring your animal on a plane, you need to know how to get an ESA letter.
The best legitimate ESA letter will come from a licensed mental health professional. If you have a mental or emotional disability that requires pet assistance, your provider can write you a letter providing evidence that you need your emotional support dog or other animals.
If you plan to use an ESA letter to travel with your pet, make sure you choose an airline that still honors ESA letters.
Step 2: Get A Pet Passport For Your Emotional Support Animal
Getting a Service Dog Pass ID (SDP ID) can make traveling with your assistance animals easier. If you have a trained service dog, you can get them an SDP ID that will ensure they are allowed access to all public areas and on an airplane. Emotional support animals that are not individually trained do not qualify for these service dog passes.
Step 3: Submit Your Documents To The Airline
There are many documents that must be submitted before you can bring your service animal on a flight. Some of these include:
- Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Sanitation Form.
- DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
- CDC Dog Import Permit.
- Service Animal ID (SVAN ID).
Step 4: Prepare Your Animal For Flight
Animals must be well-behaved during a flight. Any animal that displays disruptive behavior during a flight will be considered a pet and will be subject to fees and rules that apply to non-service animals on an airline.
If you plan to keep your emotional support dog or other animal with you on a flight, ensure they have relieved themselves or can control their bowel and bladder for the duration of the flight.
Airlines That Still Accept Emotional Support Animals
Most large commercial airlines only allow ESAs in the cabin if they fit in a pet carrier underneath a seat, and if their owner has paid a pet fee. Large animals will have to travel in the cargo area as a checked pet.
ESA owners with unusual species such as an emotional support peacock or a miniature horse may not be able to bring their assistance animal at all. Very few airlines still allow emotional support animals[2] on any flight.
Airlines That Allow ESA’s On Domestic Flights
- Volaris.
- Westjet.
- Air Canada.
- Southwest.
- Sun Country.
Airlines That Allow ESA’s On International Flights
- Singapore Air (Emotional support dog only, must be at least 4 months old).
Which Airlines Do Not Accept Emotional Support Animals?
Airlines Of North America
- Alaska Airlines.
- Allegiant Air.
- American Airlines.
- Delta Air Lines.
- Frontier Airlines.
- Hawaiian Airlines.
- Jet Blue.
- Spirit Airlines.
- United Airlines.
International Airlines
- Korean Air.
- Emirates.
Emotional Support Animals And Service Animals: Differences
Unfortunately, emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals[3]. Emotional support animals (ESA) can be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional, and you can get an ESA letter that might allow your animal to live with you. Unlike service animals, ESAs can be any type of animal, and they do not have to be trained to perform tasks relating to a disability.
A service dog must be individually trained to perform tasks that improve the functioning or protect the safety of a person with a disability. In general, only dogs are trained as service animals.
Flying With ESAs: New Department Of Transportation Rules
If you have an emotional support animal, you are no longer strictly protected by the Air Carrier Access Act. Because so many people were taking advantage of this rule, now only service animals trained to perform a specific task qualify for this protection.
Ever since the Department of Transportation[4] changed the law in 2021, airlines have become more strict about animals on planes, partially because it can become a health or sanitation issue, and may cause safety problems for other passengers onboard.
Tips You Should Do Before Flying With Your ESA
Ensure Your Dog Is In Good Health
Before you go on a flight, it is a good idea to have your pet checked out by a veterinarian. In addition, ensure that you train your dog to behave properly around other people. If crew members feel that your pet is a direct threat to others or is having disruptive behavior problems, your animal may be removed from the plane.
Get A Comfortable Seat On The Airline
Airlines are known for being cramped. If you plan to bring a service animal with you on a flight, you may need to upgrade to a larger seat with more legroom.
Pack Lightly
ESA owners with several pets may wonder, how many emotional support animals can you have? While there is no limit to how many ESAs a person can have in their own home, you can only travel with two therapy animals at a time.
Because your pet will count as your personal belonging or carry-on item on a flight, you will need to pack lightly. Unless you have extra cash to pay for additional checked bags, try to consolidate your items.
Conclusion
Some airlines still permit emotional support animals on domestic or international flights, but there are some hoops to jump through. Emotional support dogs and other animals must be well-behaved and small to travel on any commercial flights.
In addition, make sure you complete all documentation requirements well before you arrive at the airport. Final approval for your therapy animal as the emotional support animals on planes will not be given until you check in and are about to board your flight, even if you have documented mental illness and a psychiatric service dog letter.
To increase your chances of getting your assistance animals with you on the plane, get them a service ID, ESA letter, and service animal vest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some airlines like Southwest still allow emotional support animals on flights with a valid ESA letter.
Most airlines charge pet fees for ESAs, but not for trained service dogs.
Have a qualified individual give your pet a check-up before you take them on a flight. Make sure your animal has plenty of water and consider getting them a supplement or medication for anxiety before you fly.
Large animals, reptiles, and aggressive breeds may not be allowed to fly, even in the cargo area. Contact your airline for specific rules about transporting animals.
+ 4 sources
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- BILLING CODE 4910-9X DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary 14 CFR Part 382. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Service%20Animal%20Final%20Rule.pdf.
- ESA Certificate – The easiest way to make your pet an official Emotional Support Animal. (2021). Which Airlines still allow Emotional Support Animals – ESA Certificate. [online] Available at: https://esacertificate.org/which-airlines-still-allow-emotional-support-animals/.
- Service Animal Final Rule FAQs. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Service%20Animal%20Final%20Rule%20FAQs.pdf.
- US Department of Transportation. (2017). Service Animals (Including Emotional Support Animals). [online] Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals.
Written by:
Jessica Holbrook, RN
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
