How to Fly with Your Emotional Support Dog On a Plane: A Step-by-Step Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Flying with Your Emotional Support Animal

Whether you need comforting company during flights or simply can’t imagine traveling without your furry friend, many people wonder how to bring an emotional support dog on a plane. The process may seem daunting, but with proper preparation and paperwork, you and your emotional support animal (ESA) can take to the skies together.

In this guide, I’ll explain the requirements airlines have for emotional support animals and how to request accommodation. I’ll also address common concerns and share insider tips from my experience flying with ESAs. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do to keep Fido by your side at 30,000 feet.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

To start, it’s important to understand the distinction between emotional support animals and service animals. ESAs provide comfort and support to individuals with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, but they are not specifically trained to perform tasks. Service animals, on the other hand, assist people with disabilities through actions like retrieving dropped items or alerting to sounds and scents.

For air travel, ESAs enjoy some of the same rights as service animals regarding access in the cabin. However, airlines have the right to ask for documentation proving the animal provides emotional support. More on documentation requirements in the next section.

Get Your ESA’s Proper Documentation

All major US airlines require passengers to submit a letter from a licensed mental health professional—usually 30-90 days in advance of travel dates. This letter must be on official letterhead, signed and dated within the past year. It should confirm you have a diagnosed disability and your ESA helps mitigate symptoms.

The letter typically includes:

1. Your name, address and phone number
2. Your doctor or mental health provider’s name, license number, and contact info
3. Your need for an ESA due to a diagnosed mental health issue
4. How your ESA provides emotional support

While companion animals not meeting the ESA criteria must travel in-cabin as cargo or in a pet carrier under the seat, ESAs may accompany passengers in-cabin free of charge. Carry your ESA’s paperwork and health records with you in case an airline requests proof at check-in or boarding.

Follow Your Airline’s Notification Process

Each carrier has its own online form or phone number for requesting ESA accommodation. Submit your request and documentation early as airlines may deny last-minute filings. Many require at least 48 hours’ advance notice. Upon approval, you’ll receive reference information to present at the gate.

If flying with multiple airlines or on partner carriers, be sure to notify each one separately. Don’t assume accommodation approved by one transfers to all flights. It’s tedious, but critical for smooth sailing with Fido or Fluffy. Request a window or aisle seating assignment as well to ensure space for your ESA.

Prepare Your ESA for the Flight Experience

Just as you’d prepare a child for travel, acclimate your animal. Subject them to noises like engine rumbles, overhead bins closing and crying babies playing overhead. Consider flying a practice “flight” in your car, complete with boarding passes. Make a comfort vest for harness identification too.

On the day, keep your ESA leashed, harnessed or in an approved carrier for safety. While in-cabin, have portable food, water and waste bags handy. Most airlines don’t allow animals in bulkhead seating rows or on your lap, so be prepared to stow them under a seat in front of you. With patience and training, your fuzzy friend will adjust to new surroundings.

Address Common Concerns Upfront

Airlines scrutinize ESA requests due to abuse of the rules by some. To avoid denial, be prepared to honestly discuss concerns like:

– Animal behavior: Explain training to ensure your ESA remains under control at all times. Airlines may deny poorly-behaved pets.

– Clean-up: Outline your plan to use only designated relief areas and not allow elimination on aircraft. Passengers dislike animal accidents in tight quarters!

– Allergies: While airlines can’t refuse ESA access due to allergies alone, offer to switch seats if a traveler has severe reactions. Compassion goes a long way.

With clear communication, airlines feel assured your ESA poses no health or safety risks. Honesty is key – if in doubt, consider contacting disability travel specialists for guidance crafting persuasive paperwork.

By sticking to these guidelines, you’ll smooth sailing with your four-legged co-pilot! Let me know if any other questions come up. With preparation, even the most nervous flyer can relax with their comfort animal by their side at 30,000 feet.

Requirements for Bringing an Emotional Support Animal Onboard a Plane

Requirement	Details
Letter from mental health professional	The letter must state that you have a mental health condition and that you need an ESA to treat it.
Current documentation	The letter cannot be more than one year old.
ESA training	The animal must be able to behave appropriately in public. It should be well-trained, vaccinated, and clean.
Control of the animal	You must have your ESA under control at all times with a leash/harness or carrier.
Proof of vaccination	Provide vaccination records and health certificate from a veterinarian if traveling internationally.
Carrier for under seat	Soft-sided carrier allows ESA to travel with you under the seat in cabin.

FAQ

1. What documents do I need to bring my emotional support dog on a plane?

   You’ll need a letter from your mental health care provider stating that you have a disability and that your dog has been prescribed as an emotional support animal to assist you. The letter doesn’t technically need to be on official letterhead, but it looks better if it is. Airlines may also require forms confirming your dog has been properly trained and vaccinated. At the same time, be prepared to answer questions about your condition and how your dog helps.

   

2. Do emotional support dogs need special training?

   Sort of basically, emotional support animals don’t need rigorous training like service animals do. However, they still need some socialization to behave well in public. The dog should know basic commands and not be disruptive on the plane. Although training is not legally required, it’s a good idea to train your dog so they act as calm and well-behaved as possible. That way flight attendants won’t have any reason to doubt that Fido is actually providing emotional support!

3. What size or breed restrictions are there for emotional support dogs?

   Airlines won’t accept certain dangerous breeds like pit bulls as emotional support dogs. But otherwise, size and breed are not limited in the same way as service animals. However, you’ll want to follow the airline’s policies on pet sizing and cages. Bringing an overly large dog that won’t fit under the seat could potentially cause issues. According to experts, medium and small dogs tend to be less disruptive on planes anyway. So perhaps consider that before choosing an Great Dane or Saint Bernard!

4. Are emotional support dogs allowed anywhere or just on planes?

   Federal law only requires airlines and other transportation providers to allow emotional support animals. Places of public accommodation like restaurants and stores are not legally obligated to accept dogs that are not trained service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, some establishments still allow dogs as long as they are well-behaved. But it’s always best to check policies carefully or you might face issues bringing your dog somewhere they are not actually allowed.

5. What if my emotional support dog acts up on the plane?

   Flight attendants have to consider the comfort of all passengers. If your dog seems stressed and is barking excessively, the flight crew has the right to relocate you to a different seat away from others. In an extreme case, they might even deny boarding if your dog appears highly agitated. Unfortunately, that’s the risk you take when choosing to fly with an animal rather than leaving them at home like most folks do. The ideal emotional support dog is one that remains very calm in new environments and social situations. Make sure to only flight with a dog that you’re absolutely certain can handle plane travel.

6. Can I be charged a fee for an emotional support dog on a plane?

   Federal law states that passengers cannot be charged travel, check-in or any other fees specifically related to traveling with a legitimate emotional support animal. Major airlines used to waive pet fees for emotional support dogs, but now some charge a nominal fee of up to $125 each way due to documented abuse of the emotional support animal designation. If your dog behaves and doesn’t disrupt flights, the fee seems fair. But if Fido acts a fool, you have to wonder – was he really providing “emotional support”, or were you just trying to dodge pet fares? Only you know for sure!

7. Is travelling with an emotional support animal worth it?

   This is a tricky one. Obviously having your furry companion brings comfort and reduces stress for air travel. However, planes present challenges with small spaces, noise, and other passengers. Your dog may find flying highly stressful too. You also assume responsibility for any disruptions they cause. Maybe consider alternatives like anti-anxiety medication, meditation, or asking a loved one for support instead. Although emotional support animals can help, there are valid doubts about whether conditions are actually ideal for animals on planes. Ultimately, you have to weigh your own needs versus potential impacts on others from having an anxious pet in an enclosed aircraft. But what do the experts say?

   

8. Can I get a dog just to avoid pet fees when flying?

   No, attempting to pass off your pet as an emotional support animal when they are not actually prescribed for a disability is unethical and illegal under federal law. Airlines are understandably taking a tougher stance against bogus emotional support animals due to people misusing the designation only to avoid paying fees. A genuine emotional support animal needs documentation from a mental healthcare provider establishing that you have a condition requiring the animal’s assistance. Don’t try bringing a pet on board just to save a few bucks unless you want to face hefty fines or being banned from that airline. The law exists to help people with real disabilities, not as a pet travel loophole.