Talk About the Friendly Skies – Tips on Flying With Service or Support Animals Chris Caggiano October 6, 2023 Air Travel, general, Travel Tips Traveling with a service animal can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, especially for travelers with disabilities. Meanwhile, the use of an emotional support animal (ESA) has become more widely accepted on both domestic and international flights. In general, traveling with an ESA requires more documentation and verification. Many service animals are allowed, but it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding service animal and ESA travel, as they can vary by airline, hotel, and other transportation providers. So, before you go, here are a few things to know before flying with ESAs. What’s the Difference? Firstly, it’s important to note the difference between a service animal and an ESA. While a service animal is specifically trained to assist an individual with a disability, a support animal is there to provide emotional help to the traveler. So, ESAs are not the same as service animals. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, while ESAs are simply pets that provide emotional support. Service animals are allowed on all flights, regardless of airline. If you’re traveling with a service animal, such as a seeing-eye dog or a psychiatric service animal, you’re protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that airlines, hotels, and other transportation providers must accommodate your service animal, even if they don’t allow ESAs. While the ADA provides protections for service animals in various public places, air travel is governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) rather than the ADA. Understanding DOT Rules The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) publishes specific rules about flying with emotional support animals. In the early 2000s, the DOT said ESAs could fly for free as long as the passenger could provide documentation for their need for the ESA to fly with them. But the DOT made news in December of 2020 when it eliminated the regulation and began allowing airlines to charge for ESAs. The DOT instituted this change because ESAs weren’t behaving as well as trained service animals, causing disruptions on flights. The DOT also said that the public was using this as a loophole to bring any type of animal on board, even if they were typically prohibited as traveling pets. Some of the types of animals that people have claimed were ESAs have included dogs of all breeds and sizes, cats, birds, rabbits. pigs, mini horses, monkeys, kangaroos, capybaras, snakes, lizards, and even peacocks. Whether you have documentation or not for your ESA, it’s important to research and be aware of these rules so that you can apply them to your own situation. Have the Right Documents When traveling with a service animal or an ESA, it’s crucial to be prepared with the appropriate documentation. For service animals, airlines may not require proof of the animal’s status as a service animal. However, they can request a DOT-developed form that attests to the animal’s health, behavior, and training. As of the 2020 rule changes by the DOT, ESAs are no longer recognized as service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act. This means that airlines can treat ESAs like regular pets and have their own policies regarding documentation. If you’re traveling with an ESA based on an airline’s pet policy, you may need a statement from your healthcare provider indicating the necessity of the ESA for a recognized mental or emotional health-related disability. Additionally, it’s always a good practice to have documentation from your vet verifying that the animal is up-to-date on all vaccinations, and detailing the animal’s type, breed, and size. You may also like: Bone Voyage! A Guide to International Pet-Travel Paperwork Check for Any Other Necessary Forms In addition to the official documents provided by your medical care provider and vet, most airlines also require a form known as the passenger’s guarantee of behavior. This form must be personally completed by the person using the ESA on board. It should also show that the animal has been trained to act appropriately in public settings. For example, a certification of completion from an animal behavior school would be appropriate to include in this guarantee. This form should also note the passenger’s full name, phone number, email address, and signature. Practice Etiquette Onboard Even the best behaved animal may act up during a flight. It’s a good idea to practice with your ESA prior to flying. While you can’t recreate the exact flying experience, you should feel confident that your animal is able to remain under your control in any type of situation. Passengers should also be sure that the animal is trained not to relieve itself in public. Airlines are cracking down on animal behavior, holding the owner accountable. That’s why it’s always a good idea to practice these public situations with your ESA before you fly. Learn Airline Rules The federal guidelines put forth by the DOT are not the only rules that you need to understand. You also need to be sure to research the specific rules of your airline. This is where some of the rules may vary, making it important to understand how the airline that you are using approaches the issue. For example, the deadlines to submit the appropriate documentation varies greatly between airlines. There are also different rules between airlines that dictate where you’re allowed to sit on the aircraft with an ESA. Lastly, there are varying costs between airlines about how much it will cost to travel with your animal. Note: Not all airlines allow ESAs on international flights, and some may have additional restrictions. It’s always best to check with the airline directly before booking your flight. FAQs: Q: What is the difference between a service animal and an ESA? A: A service animal is trained to assist an individual with a disability, performing specific tasks to aid them. An ESA, or emotional support animal, provides emotional comfort to its owner but isn’t specifically trained to perform tasks related to disabilities. Q: Are service animals allowed on all flights? A: Yes, service animals are permitted on all flights, and their rights are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means they must be accommodated by airlines, hotels, and other transportation providers. Q: Why did the DOT change the rules for ESAs in December 2020? A: The DOT altered the regulations due to concerns about ESAs behaving poorly compared to trained service animals and passengers exploiting loopholes to bring various animals on board. Q: What documents do I need when traveling with a service animal? A: While airlines might not ask for proof of the animal’s status as a service animal, they can request a DOT-developed form that verifies the animal’s health, behavior, and training. Q: What documents are necessary for an ESA after the 2020 DOT changes? A: Airlines may treat ESAs like regular pets post-2020. Travelers might need a statement from a healthcare provider about the ESA’s necessity and documentation from a vet about the animal’s vaccinations, type, breed, and size. Q: What is the “passenger’s guarantee of behavior”? A: This form, required by many airlines, confirms the support animal’s appropriate public behavior. It may include a certification from an animal behavior school and should have the passenger’s contact details and signature. Q: How can I ensure my support animal behaves well during the flight? A: It’s advised to practice with your support animal in various situations to ensure they can remain calm and under your control during a flight. Make sure they’re trained not to relieve themselves in public settings. Q: Do individual airline rules for support animals differ from DOT guidelines? A: Yes, each airline can have its specific regulations regarding documentation submission deadlines, seating arrangements with an ESA, and potential associated costs. Q: Which airlines still allow ESAs as of September 2023? A: Several airlines across continents permit ESAs. Some examples include Air China, Lufthansa, LATAM, and Delta Air Lines. Always consult directly with the airline before booking. Q: Do all airlines permit ESAs on international flights? A: Not all airlines allow ESAs on international flights, and additional restrictions might apply. It’s essential to check with the airline in advance. Remember to always check with your specific airline and familiarize yourself with both federal guidelines and individual company policies when planning to travel with a support animal. Do you have any other tips for flying with support animals? Please let us know below!
