Top Tips for Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal by Air

Travelling with Support Animals: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, travelling can be stressful. For individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, air travel poses even greater challenges. That’s where support animals come in – but what rights do airline passengers have when it comes to travelling with their support animals?

What is a support animal?

A support animal, sometimes called an emotional support animal or psychiatric service animal, is an animal that provides therapeutic support or assistance to an individual with a mental or emotional disability. Support animals are prescribed by a mental health professional to benefit someone dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Unlike service animals that are specially trained to perform specific tasks, support animals offer companionship and relief from symptoms through their presence alone.

Are support animals allowed on planes?

Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), airlines are required to allow passengers with disabilities to travel with their support animals in the cabin free of charge. However, only true support animals prescribed for a qualified disability are protected under this law. Airlines are permitted to require documentation from a licensed mental health professional discussing the passenger’s need for the animal.

A letter on official letterhead stating your need for the animal

The letter writer’s professional credentials

The passenger’s diagnosis

Some things to note – emotional support animals must be dogs or small horses. Exotic pets like snakes or spiders do not qualify. And while peacocks once provided support to some, most major airlines no longer allow them due to safety concerns.

Can an airline deny boarding?

There are certain circumstances where an airline may deny boarding to a passenger and their support animal. This generally occurs if:

1. The animal behaves aggressively or poses a direct threat to the health/safety of others
2. The animal is too large to be accommodated in the passenger’s lap or cargo hold
3. The passenger fails to provide the required medical documentation
4. Boarding the animal would violate the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety regulations

From my experience as a mental health counselor, disruptive animals stresses both passengers and crew, and puts everyone at risk of delays or injury. Airlines have an obligation to enforce reasonable safety policies. At the same time, individuals depend on legitimate support animals to manage their conditions. There needs to be a balance that considers all parties.

What are a passenger’s rights if denied boarding?

If a passenger with proper documentation has their support animal denied boarding, they should contact the airline’s customer service department right away. Explain the situation respectfully but firmly. The airline may offer to transport the animal in the cargo hold with several restrictions:

• The animal must remain in an appropriate kennel that fits under the passenger’s seat
• No overnight flights, as animals cannot be left unattended for long periods
• Some carriers require a health certificate and proof of vaccinations

As a last resort, passengers have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation if they believe the airline violated the ACAA. However, jumping straight to legal proceedings should always be a final option after cooperative discussion has failed. The goal is reaching an agreement, not confrontation.

Can other passengers object to a support animal?

While support animals are a contentious issue for some, other passengers do not have the right to demand their removal simply due to personal preferences or allergies. However, if a legitimate allergy threatens someone’s health, the airline will try to reseat the person with allergies away from the animal. Similarly, if a support animal engages another passenger unprovoked, the owner could face consequences such as being asked to use a kennel.

With the growing popularity of emotional support animals, we’ve probably all had the experience of sitting near an untrained pet posing as support. But let’s try to show compassion. Mental health issues are real, invisible illnesses that dramatically impact people’s lives. No one chooses to need therapy in the form of a furry companion. As with service dogs, we must assume support animals are legitimate unless proven otherwise.

What are some tips for flying with a support animal?

To have a smooth journey, be well-prepared when flying with a support animal:

1. Contact the airline in advance to inform them about your support animal and get any special instructions
2. Carry your mental health professional’s documentation letter with you at all times
3. Make sure your animal is well-behaved, housebroken, and won’t bother other passengers
4. Consider muzzling your dog during take-off and landing for their comfort
5. Bring plenty of water, snacks, poop bags, and a leash or harness so you stay in control

Communication and common courtesy go a long way. With cooperation from passengers and airlines alike, those needing support animals can travel stress-free knowing their rights are respected. After all, the whole point is getting where you’re headed while feeling secure. So with patience and understanding from all sides, flying Fido to Grandma’s shouldn’t have to mean flying solo in anxiety!

Still have questions about travelling with a support animal?

If you require a support animal but still have questions after reading this article, speak to your mental health provider. They should be able to document your situation properly and advise you on dealing with any potential issues during air travel. You may also want to contact the specific airlines you’ll be flying in advance, explain your support needs, and get their policies in writing.

With clear communication and planning ahead, you’ll be well prepared to handle any bumps in the road. Remember – support animals are permitted for those with legitimate disabilities. Travelling with Fido is your right under federal law. So take a deep breath, relax, and let your furry friend do their job of keeping you calm as you wing your way to your destination. You’ve got this!

Guidelines for Traveling with Support Animals by Airline

Airline	Animal Type Allowed	Requirements
Delta	Dogs and cats only	Vaccination records, training documentation, ability to fit on floor under seat
United	Dogs, cats, miniature horses	Vaccination records, letter from licensed mental health professional, animal must remain under control
American	Dogs and cats only	Vaccination records, letter from licensed doctor confirming need for support animal
Southwest	Dogs and cats only	Vaccination records, animal must remain under control and owner is responsible for disruptive behavior
Alaska	Dogs, cats, and miniature horses	Vaccination records, letter from licensed mental health professional, animal must remain under control

FAQ

1. What types of support animals are allowed on planes?

   Generally, airlines will let you bring emotional support animals or service animals on flights. Emotional support animals provide comfort to people with mental health issues like extreme anxiety. Service animals assist travelers with disabilities for physical tasks they can’t do themselves.

   

2. Do I need any paperwork for my support animal?

   For an emotional support animal, you will need a letter from your mental health provider that recommends the animal and describes how it helps your condition. Airlines only require this letter, not formal training documents. A service animal doesn’t need any paperwork – its owner can describe what tasks it assists with.

3. Does my support animal need a carrier or leash?

   Yes, support animals must remain in a carrier or on a leash at all times when traveling, just like regular pets. This keeps them under control in the tight space of a plane. They cannot simply roam freely onboard for safety purposes. The carrier or leash must properly fit under the airline seat too.

4. Are there size or breed restrictions for support animals?

   While emotional support animals don’t have official training, airlines set limits so they are reasonably sized and won’t cause issues aboard. Some won’t accept “unusual” breeds like snakes either. Yet at the same time, size alone shouldn’t bar an animal that someone truly relies on. It appears airlines evaluate each case individually. Perhaps light-hearted animal jokes could lighten things up!

5. “Can other passengers sit away from my support animal?”

   If a passenger has severe allergies or animal fears, the airline will try to seat them away from a support animal. However, planes have limited seating. So it’s not a guarantee. Travelers relying on support animals also have rights. At the end of the day, airlines aim to balance accessibility and safety for everyone. Perhaps volunteers handling animals could help study this dilemma further.

6. “What if my support animal acts up on the plane?”

   If a support animal displays disruptive or aggressive behavior like attacking others, the owner may be asked to put it away. Continued disturbances could lead to being denied boarding for that flight. However, airlines acknowledge animals sometimes get stressed traveling too. As long as owners properly prepare their animal, mild fussing may be overlooked. The goal is reasonable accommodation, not absolute zero tolerance.