A Complete Guide to Flying With Your Dog These Summers

Flying with your dog is always a good idea in the summer season.

We can all look forward to spending time with family and friends. And so can our pets. With spring in full bloom, there is nothing better than enjoying nature with your furry friend.

If you are flying with your dog in-cabin, read the airline requirements below before booking a trip with your pet. You can also learn more about airline requirements here.

Flying With Your Dog in Southwest Airlines

If you are flying with a dog Southwest, then make sure you are ready with the requirements given below:

• The passenger must have an ESA recommendation letter.

Other Airline Requirements

• One passenger is allowed to have only one ESA on the flight.
• Your ESA must be in an airline approved carrier that can be seated under or in front of your seat.
• It must be on a leash at all times.
• Any animal that engages in disruptive behavior will be denied boarding.

Flying With Your Dog Delta Airlines

Passengers traveling with Delta airlines should submit all required documentation in advance, approximately 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight.

If you are flying with a dog on Delta, your emotional support animal will be allowed to stay on the floor or can be seated on your lap. For this, you need to have a valid emotional support animal letter. Also, your pet must not be larger than the “footprint” of the passenger’s seat. Each passenger is limited to only one ESA. An ESA under the age of 10 months is no longer allowed on any of their flights starting December 10, 2018. And, starting May 2019, ESAs will have to be approved for flights lasting more than 8 hours.

Flying With Your Dog American Airlines

For flying with a dog on American Airlines you are required to have an ESA letter, animal sanitation form (for flights more than 8 hours),  a signed copy of their behavior guidelines, and your pet’s health records. Submit all these forms before 48 hours of the booked flight, or pet charges will be applicable.

Flying With Your Dog on United Airlines

The guidelines followed by this airline are somewhat similar to other airlines. Read them here. You will be required to mail all the required documents to the airline’s accessibility desk prior to your scheduled flight.

Flying With A Dog on Alaska Airlines

For booking a flight through Alaska airlines, you must procure documents like an animal health advisory form, mental health and animal behavior form along with a valid ESA recommendation. Similarly, if you fly to places like Hawaii, please read the additional guidelines for requirements and other recommendations here.

For all the airlines’ mentioned above, dogs and cats are the most acceptable companions on flights. Watch the video below for a complete guide to flying with your dog.

If you are looking forward to flying with your dog these summers make sure to learn all these ESA laws and guidelines beforehand. There may be additional government regulations that you should have knowledge about related to the area that you are visiting.

Flying with your pet in-cabin at no extra cost is now very much possible with an emotional support animal letter. If you sort out documentation and your pets resume beforehand, flying out for a summer vacation with your emotional support animal can be a piece of cake.

Want to learn more about ESA laws? Start a conversation below.