Do Airlines Allow Pit Bulls as Emotional Support or Service Animals? Airline Policies on Traveling with Pit Bull Dogs

Airlines That Allow Pit Bulls to Fly

If you’re wondering which airlines will let you bring your pit bull as a pet on a plane, you’ve come to the right place. As the proud parent of a pit bull myself, I understand the desire to include your furry friend on family trips and vacations. In this article, I’ll give you a detailed rundown of major US airlines and their policies regarding pit bulls.

American Airlines

American Airlines does allow pit bulls to fly as checked baggage, provided the dog meets certain requirements:

1. The pit bull must be at least 6 months old.
2. Current vaccinations and health certificate from a vet are required, dated within 10 days of your flight.
3. The dog must travel in an approved hard-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
4. You are limited to one pet container per passenger.
5. There may be a fee, which varies depending on your destination.

From my experience traveling with my pit bull Trixie on American, as long as you follow the rules they were very accommodating. I’d recommend booking well in advance and checking for any restrictions at your destination.

Delta Airlines

Delta has a similar policy to American – pit bulls are okay to fly as checked baggage. The key requirements are:

1. Pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
2. Hard-sided kennel that fits completely under the seat.
3. Health certificate and vaccinations from a vet.
4. One pet per passenger with a maximum of 2 dogs or 4 cats per flight.
5. There is a fee, around $125 each way for domestic flights.

One thing to watch out for on Delta – they have a ban on pit bulls for travel to and from certain cities like Miami and Salt Lake City due to local regulations. So check destinations in advance.

United Airlines

Unfortunately, United has a blanket ban on transporting pit bull type dogs as cargo or in the cabin. This rule applies to any dog that looks like a pit bull, even if not purebred. There are no exceptions.

If traveling with a United itinerary, you’d need to make arrangements with another airline for the pet portion of your trip. It’s definitely something to take into consideration when planning travel.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has a more flexible policy than most other major carriers. They allow pit bulls as cargo on a case by case basis, provided the animal meets certain criteria:

1. Spayed or neutered pit bull over 1 year old.
2. Trained as a service dog with certification paperwork.
3. Temperament evaluated and approved by a behaviorist within 90 days.
4. Cannot be mixed breed or have any tendency toward aggression.
5. Must travel in an approved soft-sided kennel under the seat.

While more restrictive than letting any pit bull fly, their willingness to make exceptions is a step above an outright ban. Transporting a certified service pit bull would be allowed.

JetBlue

JetBlue does not have any breed-specific restrictions for emotional support animals or pets. However, certain requirements must be met:

1. Health certificate from your vet within 10 days.
2. Spayed or neutered pet over 8 weeks old.
3. Dog fits comfortably under the seat in an approved soft-sided kennel.
4. Maximum of 1 pet per passenger with a fee of around $125 each way.

In my experience, JetBlue took a sensible approach focusing on the individual animal’s health and behavior rather than breed. This makes them a top choice for flying with pit bulls.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has generally accommodating policies similar to JetBlue, without breed restrictions. The key rules are:

1. Hard-sided kennel that zips closed and fits under the seat.
2. Current vaccinations and veterinary health form signed within 10 days.
3. Spayed or neutered dog must be at least 8 weeks old.
4. Maximum of one pet per passenger with a fee of around $125 each way.

Provided your pit bull meets the standard criteria, Alaska Airlines should allow travel without issue. Their individualized approach is preferable to arbitrary bans.

Other Considerations When Flying With Pit Bulls

Beyond airline policies, here are some other factors worth considering to help ensure a smooth trip:

Prepare Your Pet

Get your pit bull accustomed to their carrier well before travel dates. Practice short training sessions to help them associate it with positive experiences like treats. Don’t forget earplugs/eye masks to block noises and lights.

Prepare Documentation

Have signed health records and vaccinations on hand – don’t rely on digital copies which could have issues. Consider microchipping too in case of any mix-ups.

Book Early

More carriers limit the number of pets per flight for safety reasons. Advance booking gives you the best shot at availability without issue.

Check Local Laws

Some cities and counties ban specific breeds like pit bulls. Know the regulations at your destination to avoid problems upon arrival.

Travel Proactively

Unforeseen delays or cancelations are always possible. Building in extra time cushions you against missing connections due to slow airline check-ins etc.

Be Understanding

Airline staff have a difficult job and sometimes policies seem arbitrary. Kindly cooperate with any reasonable requests to help ensure a positive experience.

Conclusion

With a little preparation and by choosing an airline with flexible policies, you can feel confident traveling with your pit bull. Focus on keeping your pet happy, healthy and well-behaved. Most of all, be responsible for ensuring local transport laws are obeyed at both ends of the journey.

I hope this comprehensive breakdown of major carrier policies has helped answer your questions. Feel free to reach out if you need any other pit bull travel tips or advice from my own experiences. Safe travels with your furry friend!

Airlines that Allow Pit Bulls as Checked Baggage

Airline	Requirements
Delta	Must be in approved carrier or crate. Require veterinary health certificate not older than 10 days.
American Airlines	Must be at least 1 year old. Require health certificate and proof of up-to-date vaccinations.
United	Must be over 4 months old. Require health certificate, no more than 1 year old, and proof of vaccinations.
Alaska Airlines	Must be over 8 weeks old. Require health certificate and proof of vaccinations.
Southwest	Must be at least 8 weeks old. Require health certificate and proof of vaccinations.

FAQ

1. Which airlines let you bring a pit bull as a pet?

   Basically, not many airlines allow pit bulls as pets in the cargo hold or cabin. Most have restrictions due to safety concerns.

2. Do any major airlines permit pit bulls as emotional support animals?

   Perhaps Delta and American Airlines may let pit bulls fly as emotional support animals if you have proper paperwork from your doctor or mental health professional. However, you need to contact the airline directly to check their specific policy.

3. Why do so few airlines accept pit bulls as pets?

   Airlines seem to avoid pit bulls mainly due to worries about their strength and past reputation for aggression. Basically, they want to reduce any chance of an incident on a plane that could harm other passengers or crew. At the same time, it’s hard to generalize about a dog’s behavior based on its breed alone.

4. Can you fly with a pit bull puppy?

   It depends on the airline, but some may be more lenient about flying with a young pit bull puppy since they are generally smaller and less powerful than adult dogs. You’d need to check each airline’s policy and get the pup vaccinated and in a FAA-approved carrier. Still, don’t bet on it being allowed in the cabin.

5. Is it unfair that airlines have pit bull bans?

   On one hand, airlines must consider safety for all. However, others argue pit bulls are unfairly judged based on their appearance rather than individual behavior. Perhaps policies should focus more on how well a dog is trained rather than its breed. In the end, there are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue.

6. What options do I have if I need to fly with my pit bull?

   You may have to drive instead of fly if most airlines won’t allow your pit bull. Another thought is to see if you can leave your dog with family or a petsitter. Otherwise, check policies of individual airlines very carefully in case one may permit pit bulls under certain conditions with paperwork from your vet.

   

On the one hand, airlines have to think about everyone’s safety. However, many pit bull owners feel it’s unfair their dogs are banned just due to appearance rather than behavior. Personally, I think policies should focus more on how well a dog is trained regardless of breed. In the end, reasonable people can disagree on this type of issue. The important thing is that we treat all dogs, and their owners, with kindness, respect and understanding.