Yes, you can fly on a plane with an emotional support dog as long as your ESA is under your airline’s size limit and you pay a pet fee. Unless your emotional support animal is also a psychiatric service dog, it doesn’t have any special rights on airlines beyond what a normal pet has.
There are two options for bringing your dog into the plane cabin ✈️ :
- You can bring your dog as a pet if it qualifies. Most airlines have rules that make this option only possible for smaller dogs. In addition, airlines charge fees for allowing pet dogs in the cabin and limit the number that can be on any flight.
- Service dogs can board flights free of charge. Even though ESAs can’t board flights, service dogs (including psychiatric service dogs) can still fly in the cabin. Service dogs are exempt from airline fees as well as size restrictions.
How can I fly with a mental health service dog?
How can I fly with a mental health service dog?
To fly with a psychiatric service dog on a flight, you will need to complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form. After completing this form, you’ll submit it to your airline before your flight.
You do not need to submit any other documents to the airline. Most service dog owners, however, use accessories like vests, IDs, and tags to designate their dog as a working animal at the airport and onboard the flight.
Owners of psychiatric service dogs also obtain PSD letters as backup documentation. A PSD letter is a signed document from a licensed health care provider establishing that the handler has a qualifying psychiatric disability.
If this is your first time flying with a PSD, check out our complete guide on how to fly with a psychiatric service dog.
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