Airlines Policies for Emotional Support Animals

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
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
  1. Animal Health Advisory Form
  2. Mental Health Form (ESA Letter)
  3. Animal Behavior Form
 Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. (800) 503-0101
Allegiant Airlines Submit 3 Custom Forms at Least 45 Minutes Prior to Departure
  1. Veterinary Health Form
  2. Mental Health Professional Form
  3. Animal Behavior & Responsibility form
 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
  1. Medical/Mental Health
    Professional Form
  2. Veterinary Health Form, or vaccination record with current rabies vaccination information
  3. Confirmation of Animal Behavior Form
  4. Animal Sanitation Form (for flights over 8 hours)
 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
  1. Acknowledgment Form
  2. Veterinary Health Form
  3. Medical/Mental Health Professional Form OR Your ESA Letter
  4. Confirmation of Animal Training
  • Hedgehogs
  • Ferrets
  • Insects
  • Rodents
  • Snakes
  • Spiders
  • Sugar gliders
  • Reptiles
  • Amphibians
  • Goats
  • Non-household birds (farm poultry, waterfowl, game bird, & birds of prey)
  • Animals improperly cleaned and/or with a foul odor
  • Animals with tusks, horns or hooves
 (404) 209-3434
Hawaiian Airlines Submit Custom Form or ESA Letter 48 Hours Prior to Departure
  1. Emotional Support/Psychiatric Service Animal Form
 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
  1. Medical/Mental Health Professional Form
  2. Veterinary Health Form
  3. Customer Confirmation of Animal Behavior
  4. Additional Documentation May Be Required if Destination is Not in the Contiguous U.S.
 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
  1. Mental Health Professional Form
  2. Veterinary Health Form
  3. Passenger Acknowledgement Form
  • Snakes
  • Other reptiles
  • Rodents such as hamsters, mice, rats, squirrels, etc.
  • Ferrets
  • Sugar gliders
  • Spiders
 (801) 401-2222
United Airlines Submit 3+ Custom Forms 48 Hours to Departure and Keep Forms Throughout Flight
  1. Veterinary Health Form
  2. Medical/Mental Health Professional Form, ESA Letter
  3. Animal Behavior Form
  4. Additional Documentation May Be Required if Destination is Not in the Contiguous U.S.
 Only Cats and Dogs Are Acceptable. (800) 228-2744
WestJet Airlines
  1. Print and Submit 3 Custom Forms (via SpecialCareDesk@westjet.com) 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
    • Confirmation of animal training
    • Medical/mental health professional
    • Veterinary health
  • Amphibians
  • Animals improperly cleaned and/or with a foul odor
  • Animals with tusks, horns, or hooves
  • Ferrets
  • Goats
  • Hedgehogs
  • Insects
  • Non-household birds (birds of prey, farm poultry, game birds, waterfowl)
  • Reptiles
  • Rodents
  • Snakes
  • Spiders
  • Sugar gliders
 (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.