Are you planning to fly with JetBlue Airways with your emotional support animal (ESA) or psychiatric service dog (PSD)? If so, there are some important developments to be aware of: JetBlue has overhauled its policies for boarding the cabin with ESAs and PSDs. Like other U.S. airlines, JetBlue has stopped accepting emotional support animals on flights. That was a direct result of the Department of Transportation’s new rules, which eliminated protections for ESAs. ESAs will now be treated as pets on JetBlue, which means that a $125 fee will be charged each way, and your animal must be able to fit in a small carrier during the entire flight. If your dog qualifies as a service dog or psychiatric service dog, however, you can still board the cabin free of charge and be exempt from many of the restrictions that apply to normal pets. Be mindful that there are new documentation requirements and special rules that apply to PSDs on JetBlue flights.
Good News! All airlines still accept Psychiatric Service Dogs on all flights.
If you are interested in a Psychiatric Service Dog Letter, we are happy to connect with you with a licensed healthcare provider so they may assist you.
Your ESA may qualify as a PSD
How to Travel with a Psychiatric Service Dog on JetBlue
A psychiatric service dog is a dog that is individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a psychiatric disability. That can include mental and emotional illnesses like anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias, learning disorders, and autism. If you have a PSD, you will need the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form to JetBlue:
- First, download the form at this link.
- Complete and sign the form.
- Once the form is completed, upload the form at this link and complete the other information requested.
The DOT Form should be submitted at least 48 hours before departure. The DOT Form requires the service dog’s handler to make various self-certifications on a federal form. The handler must represent that their service dog is properly trained and vaccinated. You will need to upload the form each time you book a reservation.
To have a psychiatric service dog, you need to have a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the DOT’s regulations. A licensed healthcare professional can evaluate whether you meet the relevant criteria. If you need a licensed professional that specializes in assistance animals and provides their services online, ESA Doctors can help. ESA Doctors works with healthcare professionals who can give you a PSD letter if you meet the criteria of having a disability for purposes of owning a psychiatric service dog. If you’re an ESA owner, read this article for more information on whether an ESA can qualify as a psychiatric service dog.
How to Get your Psychiatric Service Dog Letter from ESA Doctors
JetBlue Rules for Service Dogs on Flights
Once at the airport and on the plane with your service dog, these are some JetBlue policies to be aware of:
- The service dog must be under your control at all times and harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered.
- Service animals in training are not accepted for travel – a service dog must be fully trained.
- Your service animal must fit within the footprint of the seat you purchased. If your service dog is too large, you can purchase additional seats to guarantee travel or wait for a flight that has empty seats available.
- Service dogs are never allowed to occupy a seat.
- Service dogs must remain on the floor unless they are small enough to fit on your lap without touching any part of the seat, tray table, or nearby traveler.
- Service dogs are not allowed in the exit row.
If you are flying in JetBlue’s premium class, JetBlue Mint, you should be aware that you will forfeit the lie-flat feature of the seats to accommodate your service dog on the floor. The rules applicable to service dogs in non-premium seating areas also generally apply to Mint service.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes and should be confirmed directly with the airline. ESADoctors.com is not associated or affiliated with this airline or any of its subsidiaries.
JetBlue Mint and Your Animal
If your animal does not qualify as a psychiatric service dog, you may be able to fly with your pet if you meet JetBlue’s requirements. Small dogs and cats are allowed to travel in the cabin in FAA-approved pet carriers that fit under the seat in front of you. Each passenger is limited to one pet. When booking with JetBlue, you can add pets in the Extras section during the booking process. The fee for traveling with a pet in the cabin is $125 each way. You will want to book as early as possible because each flight has a limit of 4 pets. Also, keep in mind the fourth and final pet can only be booked at the airport ticket counter within 24 hours on a first-come-first-service basis, which is a feature fairly unique to JetBlue. Regular pets are not allowed in JetBlue’s premium seating area, Mint. Your pet carrier counts as a personal item and cannot exceed 17″L x 12.5″W x 8.5″H, and the combined weight of your pet and carrier can’t exceed 20 pounds. Your dog or cat must be able to stand up and move around inside the pet carrier with ease. JetBlue also requires ID tags, a pet license and vaccination, and other documentation records (if the destination requires it). Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for example, will require vaccination documents for pets. When you arrive at the airport on the day of departure, visit the JetBlue service counter, where they will give you special tags to put on your pet carrier.
Final Tips
Whether you’re flying with a psychiatric service dog or pet on JetBlue, make sure you have notified JetBlue ahead of time. If you’re flying with a PSD, be sure you have submitted the DOT Form. And if you’re flying with a regular pet, ensure that you opted for traveling with a pet during the booking process and paid the pet fee. On the day of departure, monitor your animal’s diet to limit the chances it will have digestive issues during the flight, and make sure your animal has had an opportunity to relieve itself and get some exercise before departure. Having a successful flight with your service dog or pet on JetBlue depends largely on how prepared you are and being familiar with JetBlue’s rules, so there are no surprises on departure day.
Qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog Letter Online
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