Traveling with Your Service Dog on Spirit Airlines
If you rely on a service dog to assist you with daily tasks or provide support for medical conditions, you’ve likely wondered about flying with your canine companion. As the owner of a service dog, Spirit Airlines’ pet policies are an important consideration when planning air travel. In this article, I’ll address common questions people have about bringing their service animal on a Spirit flight.
Does Spirit Airlines Allow Service Dogs?
The short answer is yes – Spirit Airlines does permit service dogs to accompany passengers in the aircraft cabin. Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), all major US airlines must allow service animals to travel in the passenger cabin with their handler at no additional cost. This includes Spirit Airlines.
However, from my experience dealing with different carriers over the years, certain budget airlines like Spirit tend to have more stringent guidelines around service animal documentation and accommodations compared to larger legacy carriers. So it’s important to be prepared with proper paperwork proving your dog’s trained tasks when flying with Spirit.
What Documentation is Required?
Spirit Airlines requires travelers with service dogs to provide one of the following at check-in:
- A signed “Spirit Airlines Service Animal Certification form” completed by your doctor/medical professional within one year of your flight date(s). You can find and download this form on Spirit’s website.
- A valid identification card or other written documentation from a government or health care professional.
The documentation must affirm that you have a disability requiring the use of a service animal and describe the animal’s trained tasks to mitigate your disability. Printed online certifications alone are not sufficient – it needs to come directly from a licensed medical provider.
What are Spirit’s Size and breed Restrictions?
Spirit has no restrictions on service dog breeds. The animal simply needs to be housebroken, under the handler’s control at all times, and not posing a direct threat to other passengers. However, size limits do apply – your service dog cannot be over 20 pounds or take up a seat on the aircraft.
This could potentially disqualify larger breeds like Great Danes or Bernese Mountain Dogs from flying as a service animal on Spirit. But small to mid-sized dogs are generally fine within these weight guidelines.
Where Does My Service Dog Sit?
On Spirit flights, your service dog must remain on the floor at your feet or on your lap for the entire flight – they are not allowed in-cabin seating. This means you’ll want to choose a smaller dog if possible for airline travel comfort.
From my experience, this “on the floor” policy can make for a challenging trip, especially on longer hauls. Your dog may get restless or cranky being confined to a small space for hours. Be prepared with training, plenty of breaks if possible, and distraction items like chew toys.
Are there Advance Notice or Reservation Requirements?
Spirit recommends notifying them of your service dog at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled flight. This allows them to better prepare the aircraft and notify relevant staff of your accommodation needs.
However, last-minute reservations are understandable – basically, try to give Spirit a heads up if you can, but don’t stress if that doesn’t work out. Just be ready with official documentation upon check-in.
You cannot make an advance reservation specifically for your service animal like you can with typical pets. The dog travels free of charge as an extension of your own passenger ticket.
What Conduct is Expected of Service Dogs?
Spirit enforces behavior and conduct standards to ensure safe, disruption-free flights for all passengers:
- Your dog must remain under your control at all times through voice or physical commands.
- Excessive barking, growling, or other noisy/disruptive behavior is prohibited.
- The dog should not sniff other passengers, jump on/off seats, or behave aggressively.
- Accidents or soiling of the aircraft cabin are not acceptable.
- Service dogs should have recent training/experience with airport/plane environments.
Basically, the standard of behavior expected is that your dog blends in discreetly without causing any disturbances. Bring cleanup supplies in case of “emergencies” – air travel can induce stress even for the best-trained pups!
What If My Dog Becomes Disruptive Onboard?
Even with extensive training, there’s always the possibility your service dog may become frightened, overstimulated, or act out onboard the aircraft. Know that Spirit reserves the right to relocate you and your dog to a different seat or require the animal be secured in a carrier for the rest of the flight if this occurs.
As a last resort, the crew may deny boarding or deplane the animal if it poses excessive safety issues. So make sure to only fly with a calm, stable service dog well-versed in public access situations to avoid potential removal from the flight.
Any Other Tips When Flying Spirit With a Service Dog?
A seasoned handler once told me, “Expect the worst and hope for the best” when taking your service animal on a budget carrier flight. Consider packing extra supplies, contact info for your vet, and expecting delays just in case issues arise. Bring documents in an easily accessible location like a wristlet for quick reference if staff requests proof.
It also can’t hurt to check-in extra early, avoid flight transfers if at all possible, and know your animal’s rights under the ACAA regulations backward and forward. A polite, knowledgeable dog owner will usually have a smoother travel experience versus someone who becomes adversarial or confrontational with staff. But in the end, Spirit is legally bound to accommodate your service dog as long as guidelines are followed.
With some preparation, patience and flexibility, Spirit Airlines can certainly get you and your service dog where you need to go. Just be sure to thoroughly research their specific requirements ahead of time. As always, maintaining control of your well-behaved dog’s behavior and focusing on a successful trip will serve you best in the end.
I hope this overview helped answer questions about flying with your service animal on Spirit. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional concerns about the process. Safe travels to you and your canine companion!
Service Dog Guidelines on Spirit Airlines
| Type of Service Dog | Documentation Required | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Guide Dog | None | Free |
| Psychiatric Service Dog | Letter from licensed mental health professional | $100 each way |
| Other Service Dogs | Letter from licensed doctor or mental health professional | $125 each way |
| Service Dog in Training | Vest/leash tagged as in training + letter from training program | Free |
| Emotional Support or Comfort Animal | Letter from licensed mental health professional | Not allowed as onboard passenger, must travel in kennel in cargo hold |
FAQ
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Can I bring my service dog on Spirit Airlines?
Generally yes, Spirit Airlines allows service dogs to accompany passengers in the cabin. However, there are some rules about paperwork and the dogs behavior.
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Do I need any documents for my service dog?
For a service dog on Spirit, you’ll need a letter from your doctor or medical provider stating that you need the dog because of a disability. This documentation helps prove that your dog is a true service animal and not just a pet.
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Is there a size limit for service dogs on Spirit?
Nope, there are no size restrictions for legitimate service dogs on Spirit flights. The size of your service dog does not matter. What’s important is how well-trained they are to behave properly in the cabin.
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Will my service dog fly in the cabin or cargo?
All true service dogs must remain in the cabin with their handler. Spirit does not allow service animals to be stored in the cargo hold like a regular pet would be. The dog needs to be at your feet or on your lap during the whole flight.
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What behaviors are expected from a service dog?
Service dogs must remain under their handler’s control at all times on the plane. They should not bark, growl, jump on people, or display any other disruptive behaviors. Proper etiquette and training are a must for flying with an assistance pup!
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Is there a fee for traveling with a service dog?
No way, Spirit Airlines does not charge extra fees for legitimate service dogs accompanying their owner in the cabin. You’ll pay the regular ticket price whether flying solo or with your canine crewmember.
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What happens if my dog acts up on the flight?
If a service dog is being overly rambunctious or unruly, and the handler can’t get them under control, the flight crew reserves the right to relocate the dog and owner to a more isolated area – or possibly ask them to deplane altogether if safety becomes an issue. Proper behavior is a must!