Airline Requirements for Traveling with a Service Dog

In 2021 the U.S. Department of Transportation announced new rules that protected the rights of service dog owners (including psychiatric service dog (PSD) owners) on flights. Airlines must allow psychiatric service dogs to board the cabin of flights without any additional charges or fees. Psychiatric service dogs are also exempt from size and weight restrictions applicable to pets, and they can sit on the floor (or in your lap in certain circumstances).

Psychiatric service dogs are like emotional support animals, except they are trained to provide a task or service to a person with a mental or emotional health disability. These are just some of the tasks that psychiatric service dog s can be trained to perform for their owners:

Remind their owners to perform important routine tasks like taking medication.
Ground the handler when they become disoriented due to a panic or anxiety attack.
Provide comfort with paw pressure, licking, or hugging.
Use tactile stimulation to “break the spell” when the handler has a psychotic episode or is paralyzed with panic or anxiety.
Provide a buffer against crowds.
Prevent the handler from engaging in repetitive and self-destructive actions.

If you consider getting a psychiatric service dog, a licensed healthcare professional can evaluate whether you meet the disability criteria for a PSD under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act. If you qualify, they can provide a signed PSD letter to help you establish that you have an eligible disability.

How to Get your Psychiatric Service Dog Letter from ESA Doctors

How To Get a PSD Letter - Three Easy Steps - ESADoctors

Jump to airline-specific information on flying with a psychiatric service dog:

American Airlines
Delta Airlines
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
Alaska Airlines

Airline Procedures for Flying with a Psychiatric Service Dog

Before the DOT’s new rules went into effect, each airline had a slightly different policy for accommodating service animals and emotional support animals. While the new rules have effectively ended the ability of ESAs to board flights, they have somewhat standardized the process for owners of service dogs and psychiatric service dogs.

The DOT created a new form, the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, where passengers are required to self-certify they have a dog trained to perform tasks for their eligible mental or emotional health disability. Each airline accepts this form (whereas in years past, each airline essentially had a different form for emotional support animals).

Airlines generally require passengers to submit the form at least 48 hours in advance, although they will still accept the form at the gate if you book a flight departing within 48 hours. Most airlines require you to notify that you will be traveling with a service dog at the time of booking. Some airlines will have an option to indicate you have a service dog when you book online, and others will accept notification by phone or through a special portal for submitting the DOT Form.

For the basics of flying with a psychiatric service dog, click here for a helpful guide.

Airline Policies for Service Dogs

American Airlines

American Airlines will accept your psychiatric service dog in the cabin free of charge as long as you submit the DOT Form to them before your departing flight. You can download and submit the form at this link.

After you submit the DOT Form and it is approved by American Airlines, you will get an email with a Service Animal ID (SVAN ID). When booking flights in the future, you can add this ID and be approved without submitting the form again each time you fly. The ID expires after one year (or when the dog’s vaccination expires, whichever comes first), so you will need to submit the DOT Form at least annually if you are a frequent flier on American Airlines.

Here are some rules to keep in mind when flying with a service dog on American Airlines:

Your service dog must be under your control at all times and harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
Each passenger is limited to 2 service dogs.
Your service dog must fit in your foot space, under your seat, or in your lap (but only if the dog is smaller than a two-year-old child).
Your service dog must be at least 4 months of age.
Service dogs cannot be in exit rows or take space in the aisles.
Service dogs are not allowed to be in passenger seats.

A service dog can be removed from an American Airlines flight if it is disruptive or posing a danger to the health and safety of others. Examples of unacceptable behavior include growling at passengers, biting or attempting to bite, jumping or lunging at others, and relieving itself in inappropriate areas.

If you are on the path towards owning a psychiatric service dog, a licensed healthcare professional can evaluate whether you meet the disability criteria for owning a psychiatric service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act. If you qualify, they can provide a signed PSD letter to help you establish that you have an eligible disability.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines allows for service dogs and psychiatric service dogs to board flights free of charge. You will need to complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form and submit it to Delta before your flight. If you’re on a flight over 8 hours, you will also need to submit the DOT’s Service Animal Relief Attestation Form to Delta.

You should submit these forms at least 48 hours prior to boarding. If you book a flight that happens to be within 48 hours, you can submit the forms when you arrive at the airport. For more detailed information on how to submit these forms to Delta, click on this link.

Here are some other things to keep in mind if you plan to fly on Delta with your service dog:

Delta will accept pit bulls on board as long as they are fully trained service dogs that meet all documentation and behavioral standards.
A service animal in training is not yet considered a service dog that can board flights. Exception: if the service dog in training is flying with a professional handler and is on its way to be delivered to the new owner.
Delta allows each passenger to have up to 2 service dogs.
Service dogs must sit on the floor in the owner’s foot space or on the owner’s lap (if the dog is no larger than a two-year-old child).
Service dogs are never allowed in passenger seats.

Delta Airlines reserves the right to remove a psychiatric service dog from the gate or airplane if it engages in disruptive or threatening behavior. Examples of unacceptable actions include growling at passengers, biting or attempting to bite passengers, or excessive barking.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

JetBlue

JetBlue allows psychiatric service dogs to accompany their owners on flights without any additional charge. Psychiatric service dogs are also exempt from the size/weight limitations that apply to normal pets.

To fly with a PSD on JetBlue, you will need to follow these steps:

Download the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at this link.
Complete the form – you will need to certify that you have a trained service dog that assists with a psychiatric disability.
Upload the form at this link and complete any other information.

Submit the DOT Form at least 48 hours before your flight through this link. If you book a flight departing within 48 hours, you can submit the DOT Form at the airport gate.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when flying with a PSD on JetBlue:

Only fully-trained service dogs are allowed to board (no service dogs in training).
Your service dog must be under your control at all times and harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
JetBlue has the right to assess your service dog’s behavior at the airport to ensure safety requirements before it can board.
Your service dog must fit in your foot space. You can purchase another seat for additional foot space if your dog is too large (or you have two dogs) to fit in your personal foot space.
Service dogs are never allowed to occupy passenger seats.
Service dogs should remain on the floor unless the animal can fit on the passenger’s lap without touching any part of the seat, tray table, or a nearby passenger.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines will welcome your psychiatric service dog aboard as long as you submit a completed DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form in advance. You should notify Southwest you are traveling with a service dog when you book your flight and present the completed DOT Form at the ticket counter or gate on the date of departure.

When booking a flight, you can use the “Special Assistance” link on the Passenger & Payment Info page to indicate that you will be accompanied by a service dog. If you have an existing reservation you need to update, select “Manage Reservations” on Southwest’s website and locate your reservation. Then click on the “Special Assistance” under the passenger’s name and indicate you will need a service dog.

You can also notify Southwest that you will be flying with a service dog by calling them at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) prior to travel. Remember that you still have to show up on the day of travel with a completed DOT Form and make sure that the form is dated on or after the date you purchased your ticket with Southwest.

Here are some other rules to be aware of when flying with your psychiatric service dog on Southwest:

Your service dog must be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered to you at all times.
Your service dog should be well-groomed, odor-free, and trained to behave properly in public settings.
Your service dog can be denied boarding if it poses a threat to the health and safety of others or causes significant disruption.
Service dogs cannot sit in an emergency row exit or obstruct the aisles.
Service dogs are never allowed to occupy an empty passenger seat.
Your service dog can sit on the floor in your foot space or be held in your lap if it is no larger than a two-year-old child.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

United Airlines

United Airlines no longer accepts emotional support animals but will let your psychiatric service dog board free of charge. Psychiatric service dogs are exempt from some of the restrictions placed on normal pets, but there are still some rules to follow.

Only service dogs that are fully trained to do their work or task for the owner’s benefit can board the cabin. Like all airlines, United Airlines accepts service dogs that help with psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. Each passenger can have a maximum of two service dogs when flying on United.

To travel with a psychiatric service dog with United Airlines, you will need to submit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form. If your flight is longer than 8 hours, you will also need to submit the DOT’s Service Animal Relief Attestation Form.

You should submit the forms at least 48 hours in advance and carry the completed forms when traveling with United Airlines. If you book a flight that departs within 48 hours, you can give the completed forms to a United agent at the airport.

Here are some other rules to keep in mind when traveling with a psychiatric service dog on United:

Service dogs can only sit on the floor in front of you (or within the space for the tickets you have purchased).
Service dogs cannot be in the exit row or extend into the aisle.
Only fully-trained service dogs are allowed to board.
United Airlines only recognizes service dogs that have been trained and certified. Dog trainers, however, may transport a service dog in training.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines allows service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, to board flights free of charge. Service dogs are also not subject to the same limitations that apply to normal pets that board the cabin.

Alaska Airlines will accept a maximum of two trained service dogs per passenger. If you book a reservation more than 48 hours before the departure date, you must submit the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation form online via Alaska Airlines’ travel partner Service Animal Travel Solutions (SATS).

If you book a flight taking off within 48 hours, you must complete a printable version of the DOT Form and submit it in person to an Alaska agent at the gate on your day of travel.

Here are some other rules to keep in mind when traveling with a service dog with Alaska Airlines:

The size of your service dog cannot exceed the footprint or personal space of your seat or foot area during the flight.
You must complete and submit the DOT Forms each time you make a reservation.
Your service dog must be under your control at all times and harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
Your service dog must be seated in your floor space. Your service dog can sit on your lap if it is no larger than an infant.
Service dogs cannot occupy a seat, sit in the aisles or obstruct an exit row.

Your service dog must be well-behaved at all times and not create a disruption or threaten the safety and health of others. If your service dog exhibits aggressive behavior or is not under your control, it can be removed from the flight. Examples of unacceptable behavior include:

Bark excessively
Bite, growl, snap, or lunge at other passengers.
Wander or run around freely.
Jump on guests or employees.
Not respond to the owner/handler’s commands.

Psychiatric service dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin without fees and are exempt from pet restrictions. If you need a PSD letter from a licensed healthcare professional, you can get started today at the link below.

Disclaimer: Our content is intended and must be used for informational purposes only. Policies can change, and companies can alter their rules and regulations. It is important to do your analysis and research before booking any flights. We are not affiliated with any of the airlines mentioned in this article.

Airline Requirements for Traveling with a Service Dog

How to Get your Psychiatric Service Dog Letter from ESA Doctors

Airline Procedures for Flying with a Psychiatric Service Dog