Common Questions About Flying With Your Service Dog or Pet
Here are answers to the questions we hear most from service dog handlers and pet parents. Airline rules can change, so for help with your own trip, book a free call with Alison.
What is a psychiatric service dog, and how is it different from an emotional support animal or a pet?
A psychiatric service dog is a dog that is trained to do specific tasks that help a person with a mental health disability. For air travel, federal rules treat psychiatric service dogs the same as any other service dog. Emotional support animals and comfort animals are not service animals on flights, so airlines may treat them as pets. Pets fly under each airline's own pet rules and fees.
Can my emotional support animal still fly in the cabin for free?
Usually not. Under current federal rules, airlines do not have to accept emotional support animals as service animals and may treat them as pets, which means pet rules and pet fees apply. If you think you may qualify for a psychiatric service dog, Alison can talk through your situation on a free call.
What is the Department of Transportation service animal form, and when do I send it?
Airlines may ask you to fill out the Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which covers your dog's health, behavior, and training. Fill it out on or after the day you buy your ticket, and send it to the airline, not to the Department of Transportation. If you booked more than 48 hours before your flight, the airline can ask for it up to 48 hours before you leave. If you booked within 48 hours of your flight, you can hand it in at the gate.
Does my service dog need a certificate, an identification card, or a vest?
There is no official certificate or identification card that an airline can require. Airlines can ask for the Department of Transportation service animal form, a second relief form for flights of 8 hours or more, and anything a government agency or another country requires. A vest is not required, but staff may look for one, and airlines can require your dog to be on a leash, harness, or tether.
What can airline staff ask me about my service dog?
Airline staff may ask two questions: does your dog need to travel with you because of a disability, and what work or task has your dog been trained to do. They may not ask about your disability, and they may not ask your dog to show its task. They can also watch your dog's behavior and look for a vest or harness.
How well trained does my dog need to be to fly?
Your dog must stay under your control and behave calmly in the airport and on the plane. An airline can refuse a dog that barks or growls again and again, jumps on people, runs loose, or goes potty in the cabin or at the gate. Dogs that are still in training do not count as service animals for flights.
Where does my service dog sit on the plane, and can I bring more than one?
Your dog rides in the cabin in the space at your feet, or on your lap if it is small enough to sit there safely. It cannot block the aisle or an exit or take up another passenger's space. Airlines may limit each passenger to two service dogs. Picking the right seat, like a bulkhead seat for a larger dog, can help, and Alison can help you choose.
Do airlines charge a fee for a service dog?
Airlines generally cannot charge you a fee to bring a service dog. They can charge for damage your dog causes if they would charge other passengers for the same kind of damage. Pets are different, and each airline sets its own pet fees.
Can my pet fly in the cabin with me?
Many airlines let small pets fly in the cabin in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Each airline sets its own rules for carrier size, weight, and fees, and these rules can change. Check your airline's current pet policy before you book, and Alison can help you compare airlines.
What if my dog is too big to fly in the cabin?
If your dog is not a service dog and is too big for the cabin, cargo is usually the only choice on regular airlines. Some people choose private or semi private flights, where larger dogs can ride in the cabin with no carrier. These flights cost more, but they can make sense for a move, a dog with health concerns, or a very anxious dog.
What do I need to know about flying to another country?
Every country sets its own rules for bringing in a dog, so check them early, before you book. To come back into the United States, every dog must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip, and have a receipt for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dog Import Form. Dogs that have been in a high risk country for rabies in the last 6 months need more paperwork. Alison helps with documents, airline rules, and planning for trips abroad.
What is the Ready for Takeoff course, and who is it for?
Ready for Takeoff is Alison's Service Dog Travel Training Course for people getting ready to fly with a psychiatric service dog. It has 6 training modules with video lessons, printable workbooks and checklists, and homework, covering laws, travel obedience, public access, task training, first flight preparation, and linking your dog to your reservation. It is for handlers who want to do the training themselves with support and who know it is a process, not a shortcut. The course is $697 on the Paws on Planes website.
How can Paws on Planes help me book my flight?
Alison can walk you through linking your service dog to your flight reservation and filling out the Department of Transportation form. You also get step by step guides for major airlines, help choosing a good seat, and help planning layovers and airport pet relief areas. Pet owners get help choosing an airline and understanding carrier rules and pet fees.
How do I book a free discovery call with Alison?
You can book a free 30 minute discovery call with Alison online at https://calendly.com/alison-pawsonplanesinc/30min. The call is for service dog handlers and pet parents who want help with their own trip. You can also call or text (712) 220-3101.
Have a question that is not answered here? Book a free call: https://calendly.com/alison-pawsonplanesinc/30min
