Effective March 1, 2021, Southwest will accept only trained
service dogs
for travel and will no longer transport emotional support animals.
Do emotional support dogs fly for free on Southwest?
Fully trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, are allowed to board the cabin of Southwest Airlines flights free of charge.
Does Southwest require an
esa letter
?
To fly on Southwest Airlines with your ESA, here is what you need to know: Southwest Airlines does not require a specific form to be filled out before approving your ESA; however, they do require you to have a letter from your licensed mental health professional or medical doctor.
What airlines are no longer accepting emotional support animals?
Most domestic airlines including United Airline, American Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Alaska, even our beloved Southwest Airlines have decided to take advantage of the new rule put out by the U.S. Department of Transportation and stop accepting ESAs in the airline cabin.
Will Southwest waive
pet fee
?
Southwest policies regarding service animals and emotional support animals Trained service animals and emotional support animals can travel on all Southwest flights, both domestic and international, for no additional charge.
What size dog can fly on Southwest?
Your
pet carrier
must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Acceptable pet carriers include the Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier ( 17” long x 9.5” high x 10” wide ), and other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide. What types of pet carriers can Customers bring?.
Can an emotional support dog sit on your lap on a plane?
Service and support animals are expected to be seated in the
floor space
below a passenger’s seat or seated in a passenger’s lap. An ESA can be placed on the aircraft floor or on the customer’s lap (provided the animal is no larger than a child under the age of two) Animals will need to remain on the floor.
Do airlines Verify ESA letters?
Airlines will require you to present a legitimate ESA letter According to Transportation.gov airlines require the ESA letter to include; That your condition is recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Can a service dog sit on your lap during a flight?
Under the airlines cabin rules, the animal must be able to fit on the lap, or under the seat of the passenger All service animals are expected to be well groomed and well behaved at all times. If your service animal is too large to sit on your lap or at your feet, it can still travel free of charge.
Can airlines ban emotional support animals?
Emotional-Support Animals Are Banned on Airplanes , but Service Dogs Can Still Fly Free.
What is the weight limit for pets on Southwest?
There is no stated weight limit , although I would think the size limitations of the carrier would naturally limit the weight of the pet to a weight that can be carried fairly easily. Acceptable Pet Carriers: The Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier (17” long x 9.5” high x 10” wide).
What airlines allow 2022 emotional support animals?
Airlines that allow Emotional Support Dogs in 2022 are: Westjet, China Air, Latam, Norwegian AIr, Singapore Air, Virgin Australia, Volaris, Air France, Asiana Air, KLM, and Lufthansa.
Which airline is most pet friendly?
Alaska Airlines leads the pack to edge out Hawaiian and American Airlines, which tied for second place. Frontier and Southwest are solid options for your pets, with more pet-friendly policies than Spirit, JetBlue and Delta. United is the least pet-friendly airline according to our analysis.
Can I buy a seat for my dog on an airplane 2021?
Yes, you can buy a seat or extra space on an airplane for your Dog or Cat on JSX Airline, Chartered Air Travel with Pets, United Airlines, Alaska Air, JetBlue and WestJet and Frenchbee, your Pet must remain in the footprint of the floor space adjacent to your seat.
Does my emotional support dog need a vest?
The law does not require emotional support dogs to wear vests However, they are very helpful to have, and most experts recommend them. Vests make your dog easily recognizable as an emotional support animal or service animal.
What documents do I need for my dog to fly?
You will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to travel and some airlines require an acclimation certificate. Both of these certificates can only be completed and signed by a federally accredited veterinarian.
How do you get a service dog on Southwest Airlines?
When traveling with a service animal, Southwest allows customers to notify the airline in advance through the “Special Assistance” link, which is accessible through the Passenger & Payment page (when booking online) or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) before the travel date.
Is Southwest strict on pet carrier size?
The Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier (17” long x 9.5” high x 10” wide). Other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide. Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers specifically designed as pet carriers are acceptable The carriers must be leak-proof and well ventilated.
How do I add a pet to my flight?
- Contact Reservations at least 48 hours prior to travel.
- Check in at the ticket counter with your official orders.
- Allow extra check-in time (at least 2 hours and no more than 4 hours before your flight)
- Complete a checklist with an agent.
- Provide a health certificate.
How can I take my dog on a plane for free?
Federal regulations allow a legitimate emotional support animal, whether it be a dog, a cat, a pot-bellied pig or even a miniature horse in one case, to travel on airplanes in the cabin with the owner, outside of a carrier, and for free if the owner has proper documentation, which means a letter from a doctor or other.
References
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/No-more-Emotional-Support-Animals-Effective-March-1/td-p/115904
https://www.esaregistration.org/southwest-airline-travel-policies/
https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/traveling-with-animals/index-pol.html
https://pettable.com/blog/which-airlines-allow-esa-animals