While we love getting to our destination, the travel involved can be stressful and nerve-wracking, especially if you’re a nervous flyer. Emotional support animals are allowed to travel in the aircraft cabin with their owners. Your ESA can sit on your lap throughout the flight, and you do not have to charge a pet fee. Before you start traveling with your ESA, make sure you prepare! You can be denied boarding on your flight without the correct paperwork or if your dog is misbehaving.
What Type of ESAs are Allowed on Planes
Under the American with Disabilities Act, any animal can technically be an emotional support animal, but many airlines are making changes to their policies and only allowing cats and dogs aboard the aircraft cabin. These changes are due to headlines where exotic animals like peacocks or turkeys were allowed on flights because of loosely worded policies. Exotic animals can cause disturbances and are harder to train than a dog or cat. Read more about what animals aren’t allowed to fly on planes.
Check Your Airlines
Many airlines have changed their policies as to what paperwork and documentation are needed before an emotional support animal is allowed on a flight (for example learn more about the American Airlines pet travel). As a rule of thumb, an airline requires at least 48 hours notice that a passenger will be flying with an ESA. They will want a digital copy of the ESA letter and then ask that the passenger keep a hardcopy on them at the airport and on the flight. Each airline may have different additional documents besides the ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (often on their own custom stationery). Some airlines need a statement of the animal’s health, behavior, and the owner’s liability of any damages caused.
Where are the Pet Relief Stations?
You should always take your pet to the bathroom before getting to the airport, but there are sometimes delays in flights or long layovers, and it’s important to know where the pet relief stations are in each airport. Most major airports have designated relief areas for service dogs and emotional support animals.
On your lap or in a bag?
When you’re traveling with an emotional support animal, you have the option of letting them sit in your lap or in a carrier under the seat in front of you, where your personal item would go. Airplanes are loud during takeoff, landing, and during any turbulence, your pet may feel safer in an airline-approved carrier that it’s familiar with as opposed to sitting in your lap. Unlike when traveling with a pet, you are allowed to take an ESA out of its bag during a flight.
Calming Treats
If your dog or cat is nervous when traveling in a plane or even in your car during a road trip, your vet can prescribe a sedative to keep them calm. If you want an all natural option, CBD oils and treats are effective at helping keep pets relaxed even during stressful times like flights or long trips in the car.
Exercise
Before taking your dog on a flight or a long car ride, it’s important to exercise them first. Exercise gives dogs and cats an outlet for their energy and will help keep them calm. Even if your pet regularly stays home during the day, they are typically able to get up and walk around at will. Airplanes and cars are more restrictive, and they can build up nervous energy. Before you leave for the airport or set off on a long car ride, exercise your pet!
ESA Travel Laws
The two main laws protecting emotional support animals are the Air Carrier Access Act and the Fair Housing Act. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, legitimate emotional support animals are allowed to travel in the lap or sit in front of the seat of their owner during a flight without charging a pet fee. The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords and housing associations by denying housing to those with an emotional support animal even if the housing doesn’t allow pets. They are not charged a pet deposit or a pet fee.
Pet-Friendly Lodging
The Fair Housing Act does not apply to temporary housing like hotels or Airbnb. If a hotel isn’t dog-friendly, they do not have to accept an ESA. They may be more likely if you show them your ESA letter and explain the psychological benefit your pet provides, but it is case-by-case. There are many hotel chains and Airbnbs that do allow dogs, so make sure to book in advance and let them know your pet will be with you!
Pet-Friendly Things to Do in the Area
Emotional support animals are not considered to be service animals and have different rights. Service animals are allowed anywhere their owners are, even in restaurants, museums, etc. that do not allow pets. The FHA and ACAA are the only laws that protect emotional support animals. ESAs cannot be in any other places that do not allow pets. Before you travel with your ESA look up pet-friendly thing to do in the area!
Traveling with your ESA can help relieve some of the stress and anxiety that flying or road trips can cause. Emotional support animals improve mental health and well-being for their owners and help them cope with their mental condition. ESAs are allowed to travel in the aircraft cabin and can live in no-pet housing, but this does not apply to temporary housing during travel. Before traveling with your ESA make sure you are prepared and have a plan, so you don’t have any additional stress.
Common Questions about Traveling with an ESA
Do hotels and Airbnb have to allow my ESA?
Can my ESA sit on my lap during a flight?
What documentation do I need to fly with my ESA?