If you suffer from an emotional, mental, or physical disability, you may find the entire travel ordeal to be quite overwhelming. But thanks to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), you are able to bring your assistance animal with you onboard, free of charge. All you need to do is bring the required documentation and follow the airline’s rules and regulations.
Therapetic, powered by CertaPet, wants you to have a stress-free flight so make sure you and your emotional support animal follow all the guidelines! If you have any questions, contact us at support@therapetic.org or (877) 207-0561.
Requirements to Travel on an Airplane with your Emotional Support Animal
Major U.S. Airlines | Special Instructions | Restricted Animals | Contact Information |
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Air Canada | Provide Emotional Support Animal Letter Upon Departure | Only Dogs Are Acceptable. | (888) 247-2262 |
Alaska Airlines | Submit 3 Custom Forms 48 Hours Prior to Departure, Verify at Ticket Counter Where an Airline Representative Will Confirm You Can Fly With Your ESA, and Keep with You Throughout Flight
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Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. | (800) 503-0101 |
Allegiant Airlines | Submit 3 Custom Forms at Least 45 Minutes Prior to Departure
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Only Cats and Dogs (Excluding Pit Bull Type Dog Breeds) Are Acceptable. Miniature Horses Are Permitted as Service Animals. | (702) 505-8888 |
American Airlines | Submit 3+ Custom Forms 48 Hours Prior to Departure and Keep with You Throughout Flight
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Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. Miniature Horses Are Permitted as Service Animals. | (800) 433-7300 |
Delta Airlines | Submit 4 Custom Forms 48 Hours Prior to Departure, Verify at Ticket Counter Where an Airline Representative Will Confirm You Can Fly With Your ESA, and Keep Forms Throughout Flight
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(404) 209-3434 |
Hawaiian Airlines | Submit Custom Form or ESA Letter 48 Hours Prior to Departure
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Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable | (800) 367-5320 |
JetBlue Airlines | Submit 3+ Custom Forms 48 Hours Prior to Departure, Verify at Ticket Counter Where an Airline Representative Will Confirm You Can Fly With Your ESA, and Keep Forms Throughout Flight
|
Only Cats, Dogs, and Miniature Horses Are Acceptable | (800) 538-2583 |
Southwest Airlines | Notify Airline in Advance and Check-in at Ticket Counter with Your Emotional Support Animal Letter | Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. Miniature Horses Are Permitted as Service Animals. | (800) 435-9792 |
Spirit Airlines | Submit 3 Custom Forms 48 Hours Prior to Departure and Keep Forms Throughout Flight
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(801) 401-2222 |
United Airlines | Submit 3+ Custom Forms 48 Hours to Departure and Keep Forms Throughout Flight
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Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. | (800) 228-2744 |
WestJet Airlines |
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(866) 693-7853 |
Other guidelines to travel with your ESA include but not limited to:
Keep your animal either on your lap or below your seat
Do not sit in the emergency exit row
Bring the proper boarding for your service or emotional support animal (each airline varies on the kennel requirements)
Prepare your assistance animal for travel (they need to behave properly or they could be denied boarding)
Make sure your ESA does not fall into the airline’s breed restrictions
Have identification on your ESA (an ESA vest is not required but heavily encouraged)
While most of the airlines require specific forms, remember to bring your emotional support animal letter. This document must be less than a year old and on letterhead paper or a prescription pad from a licensed medical doctor or mental health professional. The ESA letter must state the following:
That you have a diagnosed mental health condition or mental health-related disability
The emotional support animal accompanying you is necessary for your mental health or treatment
The type of animal you are bringing, and how many
That the issuer of the letter is a licensed medical doctor or mental health professional, and that you are under their treatment or care for a mental health disorder
The issuer’s license number, type of license, the license’s issue date, and the state or jurisdiction where it was licensed.
We do want to stress: if you do not have a verified emotional support animal letter then you will not be able to fly with your ESA. Take a free, 5-minute pre-screening to see if you qualify and if you do, we’ll help you get connected to one of our LMHPs in your state.