Airline Esa: Only Your Dog?

As of 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) no longer requires airlines to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs). This means that airlines can decide whether or not they allow emotional support animals on their flights, and most airlines have chosen not to accept them. However, some airlines still allow ESAs, including LATAM, JSX, Lufthansa, and Volaris.

If you want to fly with your dog as an ESA, you will need to check the specific rules of the airline you plan to travel with. Some airlines only allow certain types of animals, such as dogs or cats, while others may have size or weight restrictions. In addition, some airlines may require you to provide documentation from a licensed mental health professional or proof of your dog's health and vaccination status.

It's important to note that even if an airline accepts ESAs, they may not be allowed in the cabin and may have to travel in the cargo hold or as checked baggage. This is because ESAs are not considered service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and are therefore not afforded the same protections. Only trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), are allowed to fly in the cabin without additional fees.

Emotional support animals are not considered service animals and are therefore not protected by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not considered service animals and are therefore not protected by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). This means that airlines are not legally required to accommodate ESAs and can set their own policies regarding these animals. While some airlines may still allow ESAs on board, they are treated as regular pets and subject to the same rules and restrictions.

The distinction between ESAs and service animals lies in their training and the tasks they perform. Service animals, including psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), are individually trained to perform specific tasks related to their handler's disability. They are protected by the ACAA and allowed to accompany their handlers in the cabin of an aircraft without charge. On the other hand, ESAs provide emotional support and comfort to individuals with mental or emotional disabilities but are not specifically trained to perform tasks.

The change in policy regarding ESAs on flights came into effect on January 11, 2021, when the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that airlines were no longer required to accommodate them. This decision was met with opposition from disability advocacy groups and ESA owners, who argued that it infringed on their rights. However, the DOT's rules are permissive rather than mandatory, and airlines can still choose to allow ESAs on a voluntary basis.

The new regulations have significantly impacted ESA owners' ability to fly with their animals, as they now have to comply with the same requirements and fees as pet owners. Additionally, larger ESAs that do not fit into the cabin may not be allowed on board at all. To mitigate this issue, some ESA owners have explored the option of training their animals to become PSDs, which are still permitted in aircraft cabins without restrictions.

While the current landscape for ESAs on flights may be challenging, it is important to note that ESA owners still enjoy federal rights for housing, and individual states continue to enact protections for ESA owners. Furthermore, the trend towards utilizing ESAs for mental health support is unlikely to slow down, and there is hope that future changes in leadership and regulations will result in more favorable policies for ESA owners.

Airlines are not legally required to honour ESA letters

As of January 11, 2021, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) is no longer requiring airlines to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs). This means that airlines are not legally required to honour ESA letters. This is a significant change, as prior to this, all airlines were required by law to accommodate ESA owners with proper documentation from a licensed mental health professional.

The new DOT rules state that psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are the only type of assistance animal that must be accommodated in the cabin of an airplane free of charge and without weight and size restrictions. PSDs are also exempt from breed restrictions, which may apply to pets.

While some airlines may still accept ESAs on a voluntary basis, most US-based airlines have discontinued their ESA programs. This means that ESA owners may now have to pay fees for their animals to travel and may face weight, size, and breed restrictions.

To fly with a PSD, a special form from the DOT must be submitted to the airline before departure. The form requires PSD owners to certify that their dog is trained to perform tasks related to their mental health disability.

ESA owners who wish to have their animals travel with them may want to look into whether their ESA can become a PSD, as PSDs still have the right to fly in the cabin with their owners free of charge. However, it is important to note that only dogs can be PSDs, and the dog must have special training.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to board flights in the cabin free of charge

Psychiatric Service Dogs Allowed to Board Flights

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to board flights and are protected by federal law. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination based on disability, and psychiatric service dogs are recognised as service animals. This means they are allowed to accompany their handlers in the cabin and fly free of charge.

A psychiatric service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. This can include mobility impairments and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Flying with a Psychiatric Service Dog

To fly with a psychiatric service dog, you must submit the Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the airline at least 48 hours before your flight. This form includes basic information such as your name, your dog's name, and a description of the animal. It also asks about the animal's health, training, and behaviour. If your flight is over eight hours, you will also need to complete a Service Animal Relief Attestation Form, which states that your animal will not need to relieve itself during the flight or can do so in a sanitary manner.

At the airport, staff may ask you if the dog is a service animal required due to a disability and what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. They cannot ask about your specific disability or ask the dog to demonstrate its skills.

Behaviour Requirements

Psychiatric service dogs must be well-behaved and trained to perform specific tasks related to their handler's disability. They should not display any disruptive behaviour, such as biting, jumping on people, or relieving themselves inappropriately. If a dog exhibits aggression or is out of control, it can be removed from the airport or airplane.

Size and Seating

Psychiatric service dogs are not subject to the size limitations that apply to pets. They are allowed to sit at your feet, as long as they do not extend into the aisle or the foot space of another customer. They may also ride in your lap during the flight if they are no larger than a lap-held child (under two years old).

International Travel

If you are flying internationally, be sure to check the regulations at your destination regarding service dogs, as rules may differ from those in the United States.

Each airline has its own set of policies regarding how they treat pets and ESAs

Since the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is no longer requiring airlines to accommodate emotional support animals, each airline has developed its own policies regarding how they treat pets and emotional support animals (ESAs). While some airlines have discontinued their ESA programs, others still allow ESAs on their flights. However, these policies can change rapidly, so it is essential to check with the airline before booking your travel.

Airlines That Still Allow ESAs

A few international airlines that are disability-progressive and ESA-friendly still accept ESAs on their flights, even though they are not legally required to do so. These airlines include LATAM, JSX, Lufthansa, and Volaris. Additionally, some Central and South American airlines accommodate ESAs with in-cabin travel. However, their policies may change, so it is crucial to contact the airline directly to confirm their current ESA policies.

Airlines That No Longer Accept ESAs

As of March 1, 2021, U.S.-based airlines no longer accept emotional support animals. This includes major airlines such as American Airlines, which now classifies ESAs as pets rather than service animals. Other airlines that no longer accommodate ESAs include China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. If your airline no longer recognizes ESAs, your animal companion will be treated as a standard pet, subject to fees and the airline's size, weight, and breed restrictions.

General Requirements for Flying with an ESA

If you plan to fly with an ESA, most airlines will require an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. This letter should be submitted to the airline at least 48 hours before your departure. Additionally, your ESA may need to meet specific behaviour and health requirements, and you may need to fill out additional forms provided by the airline. It is important to contact your airline directly to understand their specific requirements and policies.

Alternatives to ESAs

If your ESA is no longer permitted to fly with you in the cabin, there are alternatives you can consider. One option is to train your ESA to become a psychiatric service dog (PSD). PSDs are protected by federal air travel law and are allowed to board flights in the cabin without charge. However, PSDs must be individually trained to perform tasks related to the handler's disability and must be well-behaved in public settings. Another alternative is to have your ESA travel as a standard pet, but this may incur additional fees and restrictions, depending on the airline's policies.

ESAs must meet the airline's requirements for normal pets, and a pet fee will be applied each way

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are no longer recognised by airlines in the US, following a ruling by the Department of Transportation in 2021. This means that ESAs are now treated as regular pets and are subject to the same rules and fees.

If you want to fly with your ESA, it must meet the airline's requirements for normal pets. This includes size, weight and breed restrictions. For example, some airlines may not allow certain breeds of dog due to concerns about aggressive behaviour. There may also be limits on the number of pets allowed in the cabin, and your ESA may have to travel in the hold.

You will also have to pay a pet fee each way, which can be costly. These fees vary depending on the airline, but they can be as much as $175 each way.

To fly with your ESA, you will need to provide documentation from a licensed mental health professional, including a letter stating that you have a mental or emotional disability and that your ESA is necessary for your health. The letter should be on the professional's letterhead and should include their contact information and license details. You may also need to provide proof of your ESA's health and vaccination status.

It's important to check the specific requirements of the airline you plan to fly with, as these can vary. Some airlines may require additional forms to be submitted in advance, and there may be different rules for international flights.

Frequently asked questions