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 [...]
Download the DOT Form - Service Animal Air Transportation Form (pdf) here. If you want to board a flight with your psychiatric service dog or service dog, this article will explain the one document you need for all airlines. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation completely updated its rules for assistance animals on flights. [...]
The year 2021 started with major news for ESA owners: as of January 11th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) no longer requires airlines to accommodate emotional support animals. In the years prior to this rule change, all airlines were required by law to accommodate owners of ESAs with proper documentation from a licensed mental health professional. [...]
On December 2nd, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it had finalized rules that will allow airlines to treat emotional support animals as ordinary pets. Passengers who own service dogs will still be able to board flights free of charge, as long as they complete newly adopted federal forms. These new rules will [...]
The onset of the Coronavirus outbreak resulted in a severe decline in air travel with borders closing down and fearful travelers staying home. By late March, there were 40-60% fewer flights scheduled with international flights being particularly affected. However, with strict lockdown orders ending in many areas and the summer season here, airlines have seen [...]
Emotional support dogs have become a popular option for people coping with mental and emotional health issues. Many dog owners are aware of the therapeutic benefits and support their canine friends provide. An emotional support dog is a legally recognized assistance animal that is allowed to accompany its owner in residences free of charge (even [...]
A Guide for Traveling with a Psychiatric Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog, or Pet If you’re new to flying with Psychiatric Service Dog or pet, it’s normal to feel anxious about how things will go. The trick to having a smooth experience at the airport and during your flight is preparation: you want to make [...]
The rules governing ESAs under the ACAA were sometimes subject to debate and interpreted differently by those in the airline industry and travelers. The DOT's guidance gives greater clarity to ESA owners on what their rights are when it comes to flying with an ESA.
In this post, we will cover the requirements airlines will be looking for in the ESA letter, why it’s important not to fake an ESA letter, and what a legitimate emotional support letter needs to include.
Are emotional support animals still allowed on flights? Sadly, as of March 2021, U.S. airlines no longer accept ESAs on flights due to regulatory changes. That means that emotional support animals can only fly if they meet the airline’s requirements for pets. That usually entails paying a hefty fee ($100 – $200 each way) and [...]