Do Airlines Allow Emotional Support Animals? | Airline Policies for ESAs

Do Any Airlines Allow Emotional Support Animals?

If you’re wondering whether emotional support animals (ESAs) are permitted on airplanes, you’re not alone. With many people relying on companion animals for mental health reasons, this is a common concern. In this in-depth article, I’ll explore the rules different airlines have regarding ESAs and how to travel safely with your support animal.

Understanding Emotional Support Animals

Before delving into airline policies, it’s important to define what an ESA is. An ESA provides therapeutic benefit to someone with a diagnosed mental or psychiatric disability like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Simply owning an animal for comfort or support does not qualify it as an ESA under the law.

To have a valid ESA, you need documentation from a licensed mental health professional stating your disability and how the animal serves as an accommodation. This is commonly called an “ESA letter.” ESAs are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but they are covered by the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act.

Major Airline Rules for ESAs

Most major US carriers allow ESAs to fly in the cabin free of charge, but they do have some rules:

1. American Airlines: Allows ESAs on flights as long as you provide a letter. The animal must stay on the floor or in your lap under seat.
2. Delta: Requires a vet health form and ESA letter 48 hours before travel. The animal must fit on your lap or at your feet.
3. United: Requests ESA documentation submitted at least 48 hours in advance. Animals must remain on the floor at your feet; no sitting them in an extra seat.
4. Southwest: Accepts one ESA per passenger at no charge when traveling with the owner. The animal must remain on the floor at the passenger’s feet.

Important Things to Know

While ESAs are generally allowed, here are some caveats from my experience traveling with support animals:

1. Your ESA documentation must be issued by a licensed mental health professional (not an online medical certification site).
2. The animal must be well-behaved, house-trained, and able to fit on your lap or at your feet without disturbing others.
3. Airlines may refuse animals too large or that show signs of aggression. Talk to the airline ahead of time if you have a less common ESA like a miniature horse.
4. Expect to show your ESA letter and vet health form if requested. Airlines don’t permit ESAs if they don’t have valid documentation.

As a pet owner myself, I’ve faced issues where dogs acted up during flights due to unfamiliar crowds or noises. Airlines have the right to refuse transportation if an ESA displays disruptive behavior that poses a safety threat.

Low-Cost Carriers and ESAs

Budget airlines like Spirit Airlines and Frontier have more restrictive ESA policies:

• Spirit charges $125 each way for ESAs and requires health/immunization records and a letter
• Frontier only permits cats and dogs as ESAs free of charge, with letter and health form required
• Allegiant does not accept any ESAs or service animals in the cabin due to aircraft size limits

So if flying on a discount carrier, check their website policies carefully or you may face refusal or added charges for an ESA. It’s always wise to call the airline ahead of time as well.

International Travel with ESAs

If you plan to travel abroad with your ESA, the rules differ by country:

1. Canada and Mexico generally follow the same standards as US airports for ESAs with paperwork
2. The European Union requires an ESA veterinary certificate but does not charge excess fees
3. Many Asian and African nations do not recognize ESAs and may require quarantine if permitted at all

International ESA policies can change with little notice too. My advice would be to contact foreign embassies or your destination’s airport authority for up-to-date information well before flying.

Alternative Options When ESAs Aren’t Allowed

If an ESA isn’t authorized for your itinerary, a few other options exist:

1. Consider visiting your therapy animal at a friend’s home before/after trips instead of bringing it
2. Look into emotional support animal pet sitters who can care for your pet while you’re away
3. See if telehealth therapy sessions via video chat could provide temporary support in the ESA’s absence
4. As a last resort, discuss alternate accommodations like essential travel postponement with your doctor

While travel restrictions can be disappointing, your health and safety should take top priority. With planning and alternatives, emotional support can still be received during trips when an animal can’t accompany you.

Proper ESA Training is Crucial

No matter which airline or destination you choose, make sure your ESA is professionally trained before flights. Well-behaved animals are more likely to be welcomed. From my experience, training should include:

• Basic obedience – Sit, stay, come when called
• Leash walking without pulling or jumping on people
• Being able to remain calm and ignore other animals when in close quarters
• Getting used to noises like sirens and vacuum cleaners to prepare for planes
• Potty training so accidents don’t occur mid-flight

A few group socialization classes can work wonders to get an ESA accustomed to different environments. The calmer and better behaved they are, the less likely you’ll face issues at security checkpoints or aboard the plane.

Final Thoughts on Flying with ESAs

To sum up, while many major airlines allow ESAs on domestic flights with proper documentation, not all carriers permit them. International rules vary widely too. With thorough preparation including veterinary records, a behavioral assessment letter from a mental health professional, and advanced airline notification, flying with an ESA is certainly possible.

Just be sure your companion animal is well-trained for aircraft surroundings. Following airline policies and keeping your ESA gently leashed or cradled the whole trip will hopefully result in smooth sailing at 30,000 feet! Don’t hesitate to contact carriers in advance with any other ESA questions.

With a little planning and understanding different regulations, emotional support pets can still accompany their owners during air travel for mental health reasons. Safe travels to all travelers and their assistive animal companions.

Airline Policies for Emotional Support Animals

Airline	ESA Permit/Letter Required?	Animal Restrictions	Advance Notice Needed?
American Airlines	Yes	None	48 hours
Delta	Yes	None	48 hours
United	Yes	None	48 hours
Southwest	Yes	None	Notification at check-in
JetBlue	Yes	None	10 days

FAQ

1. Do all airlines permit emotional support animals?

   Not exactly. Basically, the rules concerning emotional support animals on flights are sort of confusing. Most major airlines in the US will let you bring an emotional support animal onto the plane for free, so long as you provide documentation from a mental health professional saying you need the animal for emotional support. However, some smaller airlines or international carriers may have additional restrictions. It seems like the policies can vary pretty widely!

   

2. What kind of animals are allowed as emotional support animals?

   Generally speaking, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are most commonly permitted as emotional support animals on flights. Birds, rabbits, and other small caged pets are also often allowed as long as they fit safely inside a carrier under the seat. However, snakes, rodents, spiders or other exotic animals are presumably less likely to be approved, as their care might be more complicated on a plane. Ultimately, it depends on the airline’s regulations. But does anyone really need a tarantula for emotional support?!

3. Do I need a doctor’s note for an emotional support animal?

   Yes, in order to have an emotional support animal qualify to travel with you freely on a plane, you basically need certification from a mental health professional stating that you have a disability and need the animal for emotional support. According to the Department of Transportation rules, this note must specifically diagnose your disability and explain how the animal helps you to lessen the effects of that condition. Seems like the certification is kind of important for the airline to know you truly need the animal for your mental health, as opposed to just trying to get around pet fees!

4. How do I register my emotional support animal?

   There is actually no official nationwide registration or certification process for emotional support animals, believe it or not. However, you will likely need to contact the airline directly regarding their rules for documentation from a health professional. Then you provide this to the airline during the booking process or check-in, or before your flight if possible. Some websites provide forms that a doctor can fill out, but the airlines make their own decisions anyway. I guess it’s best to check with the specific carrier beforehand!

5. Do emotional support animals need training?

   Surprisingly, federal laws do not require emotional support animals to have any formal training in assisting persons with disabilities. They are not limited to specific breeds either. However, at the same time, airlines are allowed to require that the animal behaves appropriately during the flight – for instance, not barking loudly or acting aggressively. So while training isn’t necessarily mandatory, it seems like it would be a good idea to do basic training so the animal is well-mannered and doesn’t disrupt the flight. Otherwise your animal might not be welcomed.

6. Can an emotional support animal be denied from flying?

   Technically, yes – despite their special status, emotional support animals can potentially still be denied from flying if they pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or if they are too disruptive and difficult to control. For example, if an animal was growling and baring its teeth at other passengers, the airline would likely refuse to let it on board. Likewise, if traveling internationally there may be stricter quarantine or vaccination requirements that could lead to denial too. So while reasonable accommodations are supposed to be made, problem pets may ultimately get barred.

7. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all took time to emotionally support each other without needing an official animal?

   That’s an insightful point. On one hand, emotional support animals can undoubtedly assist many folks who struggle with mental health issues. At the same time, what’s to say that all humans couldn’t benefit from offering more kindness, empathy and encouragement to each other as well? Perhaps if we focused on cultivating compassion among people, there would be less need to officially designate other species as “support”. Just some food for thought! We could all use emotional support from our fellow humans on occasion.