Effective Jan. 11
, Delta will no longer accept emotional support animal bookings on any Delta flight. Delta's updated policy follows a final rule issued last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which states carriers are no longer required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals.
Which airlines are banning emotional support dogs?
Southwest
has become the last of the “Big 4” airlines, which control 67% of the US domestic market, to ban emotional support animals. Trained service dogs are still allowed to travel in airline cabins.
Are all airlines banning ESA?
In the past few months,
all major U.S. airlines have banned emotional support animals (ESAs) on flights
. While that may be welcome news for some passengers and airline personnel, it leaves some travelers searching for alternative means of travel.
Which airline announced a ban on emotional support animals?
Southwest
has become the last of the “Big 4” airlines, which control 67% of the US domestic market, to ban emotional support animals. Trained service dogs are still allowed to travel in airline cabins.
Are they banning emotional support animals on planes?
The free ride for Fido is over. Given a green light from the Transportation Department,
airlines have banned so-called emotional-support animals from cabins
, making it more complicated—and more expensive—for pets to fly with their owners.
Which airlines will still allow ESA?
According to ESA Doctors, an organization that serves people with emotional support animals,
LATAM Airlines, Volaris and WestJet
are the only carriers in the Americas that still allow ESAs in the cabin, although WestJet only allows dogs, and each airline has specific guidelines that must be followed.
Can a hotel refuse an emotional support animal?
The short answer is no. Because a hotel is a business, and
there are no protections for emotional support animals
in commercial establishments, hotels have the ability to deny you and your ESA entry.
Can you still fly with an emotional support dog?
If you currently have an emotional support animal,
the ESA must meet the airline's requirements for normal pets
, and a pet fee will be assessed each way. That means that only smaller pets that can fit into a carrier can board the cabin.
Can airlines ask for proof service dog?
When it comes to service animals,
airlines do not require more proof than “credible verbal assurance
.” However, if the airline feels less than confident, more documentation may be asked for at the time of boarding.
Which airline is the most pet friendly?
- American Airlines: Best for West Coast travel.
- United Airlines: Best for East Coast travel.
- Delta Airlines: Best for small pets.
- Southwest Airlines: Best for cheap pet fees.
- JetBlue: Best for pet amenities.
- Allegiant Air: Best for pet check-in process.
Do emotional support dogs fly free?
However, all psychiatric service dogs (PSDs)
are still welcome to board the cabin free of charge
, even if they are larger in size. Psychiatric service dogs are like emotional support animals trained to provide a task or service to an individual with a mental or emotional health disability.
Why are airlines banning emotional support dogs?
The Transportation Department has approved a request by airlines to ban “emotional support animals” from
its cabins
, after several years of increasingly sitcom-like levels of absurdity. Trained service dogs will still be allowed to fly uncaged.
What disabilities qualify for a service dog?
- Blindness.
- Deafness.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- Seizures.
- Arthritis.
How do I fly with ESA?
To fly with an emotional support animal on participating airlines, you will need an
ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional
. The LMHP will also need to fill out forms provided by the airline. Most airlines require that ESA documents be submitted at least 48 hours before departure.
How do I fly with a large ESA dog?
When flying with large ESA dogs,
they must sit on the cabin floor in front of the passenger seat
. Your large ESA dog is not allowed to obstruct the legroom of other customers, and must not block the aircraft aisle or emergency exit. Dogs must be at least 4 months of age.
Are there any airlines that allow large dogs in the cabin?
A pet traveling in cabin must be carried in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times. The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are
17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high
(44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm).
