Airline Rules and Requirements to Fly With Emotional Support Animals

If you plan to travel with an Emotional Support Animal, you’ll need to follow the airline’s pet policies, which generally include the following requirements:

• Notify the Airline in Advance: Inform the airline of your need to travel with an ESA at least 48 hours before departure.
• Pay the Pet Fee: Be prepared to pay the required pet fee, as most airlines no longer waive this fee for ESAs.
• Use an Approved Carrier: Your ESA must remain in a carrier at all times during the flight.
• Size Restrictions: If your ESA is large, you may need to arrange for it to travel in the cargo hold, as airlines often restrict larger animals in the cabin.
• Breed and Animal Type Limitations: Some airlines only allow certain animals, such as dogs and cats, and may have specific breed restrictions, so check with the airline in advance.

Documentation requirements may vary between airlines. However, in general, travelers are required to complete and submit three additional forms before boarding with an emotional support animal:

1. Medical/Mental Health Professional Form: This form must be completed by a licensed mental health professional. It should outline the individual’s medical condition and confirm that the ESA is necessary for their emotional well-being.
2. Veterinary Health Form: This form must include the ESA’s vaccination records, documenting current vaccination information. It should be filled out and signed by a licensed veterinarian and must contain the following essential details:
   • Type of Emotional Support Animal
   • Breed of Emotional Support Animal
   • Weight of the Emotional Support Animal (if it weighs more than 20 pounds)
   • Vaccination Information
3. Confirmation of Animal Behavior Form: This form certifies that the ESA exhibits calm and well-mannered behavior.
4. Forms for Flights Longer Than 8 Hours: If your flight exceeds 8 hours, airlines may require an additional document known as the Animal Sanitation Form for your emotional support animal. This form ensures that your ESA is healthy and poses no hygiene risks during the flight.

The process for bringing your emotional support animal to the airport involves the following steps:

• Documentation: Ensure you have all necessary documentation ready, including the ESA letter and any health certificates.
• Arrival: Arrive at the airport early to allow enough time for check-in and security procedures.
• Check-In: Inform the airline staff that you are traveling with an ESA during check-in. They may ask for documentation.
• Security Screening: Prepare to go through security, which may require your ESA to be removed from its carrier and screened separately.
• Boarding: Follow the airline’s procedures for boarding, ensuring your ESA is calm and well-behaved throughout the process.

• Training your ESA to be comfortable in a crate or carrier.
• Exposing your ESA to various environments and situations to reduce anxiety.
• Practicing short trips before your flight to help them adjust to the travel experience.
• Ensuring they are up to date on vaccinations and health checks.

Most airlines consider emotional support animals to be pets, so pet policies apply to ESAs. You must pay pet fees and follow the requirements associated with pet travel. Moreover, your animal must be well-behaved and calm; otherwise, airlines have the right to restrict your animal. To travel with your ESA hassle-free, it’s advisable to read the airline’s pet policy and inform them about your ESA as soon as possible.

• A letter from a licensed mental health professional stating the necessity of the ESA.
• A veterinary health form confirming vaccinations and health status.
• Additional forms, such as an Animal Sanitation Form for longer flights.

Each airline may have unique requirements, so it’s important to review their specific guidelines before your journey.