Flying Guideline With Your ESA - 2022 Guide
Do you want to fly with your emotional support animal or service animal but are confused as you do not have an idea about airline policies regarding Emotional Support Dog and service animals? If yes, your confusion will end today. As today we are going to show a complete guide stating the different types of airlines that allow ESA and service animals on their flights.
Many people love to take their emotional support animals and service animals everywhere. The reason behind this is that they are so used to them and the emotional support provided by them that they cannot spend their time alone. It is very easy to keep your emotional support animal and service animal in your society if you have an ESA letter for housing, but the situation is a bit different whenever you take your esa letter for dog and service animals outside. Initially, this was not a topic of great consideration for most of the airlines but with the increase in accidents or issues related to emotional support animals and service animals, these airlines have strictly considered the carrying of ESA and service animals during the flight. Of the total, only some of the airlines allow carrying an ESA and service animal while others strictly have restricted the onboarding of ESAs and service animals. However, the airlines where ESA and service animals are not restricted have also introduced different policies regarding ESA and service animals to avoid different issues.
Before discussing the airline’s policies regarding ESA and service animals, let us discuss the airlines that allow ESA and service animals with the passengers. Some of the airlines that do not restrict the carrying of ESA and service animals with the passengers during the flight are mentioned below:
- Latam Airlines
- China air
- Volaris
- Virgin Australia
The policies regarding ESA and service animals varies for different airlines & therefore, policies for each of the airlines mentioned above will be discussed separately below:
- ESA and service animals policies of Latam Airlines:
Latam Airlines has defined an age limit for the ESA and service animals. According to their policy, the ESA and service animal allowed to be carried during the flight should have an age of at least 4 months. Emotional support animals and service animals must not behave badly during the flight as it might irritate the other passengers of the flight. This bad behavior involves growling, barking, jumping, etc.
In addition to that, the ESA and service animals should not move during the flight as there might be some passengers who are allergic to animals. It is not allowed for an ESA and service animal to occupy space more than the space reserved for his owner. Latam airlines usually require filling of a request form by the ESA and service animal owner and the submission of this form should be done at least 48 hours before the departure of the flight. Otherwise, they strictly do not allow ESA and service animals. The Latam airlines service might also ask the owner for the original documents of the ESA and service animal, therefore the owner should carry documents such as an legitimate esa letter with them.
- ESA and service animals policies of China Air:
China Air clearly demands the following documents from the owner of the animal: the declaration form of the ESA or service animal, a mental certificate or professional medical certificate, and an ESA letter. In addition to that, the policies of China Air state that ESA and service animals should only occupy the space available for its owner within the airline, that is, either within his owner's foot or on his lap.
The China air policies clearly state that in case of any misbehavior or other such conduct by the ESA and service animal which leads to the discomfort of other passengers, China Air holds the authority to refuse the ESA’s carriage. In addition to that, the owner of the ESA and service animal will be responsible in case the animal caused any damage within or to the aircraft. However, China Air does not charge the owner for carrying an ESA and service animals if they are kept within the cabin of the airline. This policy is applicable for some of the routes. However, some routes charge the carrying of "how to get an esa letter" and service animals.
- ESA and service animals policies of Volaris:
The owner should be present at Volaris at least 3 hours before the departure of his domestic flight, and 4 hours in case of an international flight. The permission of emotional support animals and service animals is allowed only if the animal is seated throughout the flight. Moreover, separate seats are not allowed for animals in Volaris; the animal will have to occupy the seat reserved for his owner. The following documents should be submitted 48 hours before the departure of the flight otherwise the ESA and service animals would not be allowed during the flight: a licensed health certificate from a veterinarian, vaccination card of the animal, and a mental health letter signed by a legal practitioner.
- ESA and service animals policies of Virgin Australia:
If the owner wishes to carry 10 or more emotional support animals or service animals with him during the flight, then he should contact the service team of Virgin Australia 10 days before the flight, otherwise he would not be allowed to carry the animals. Other policies of Virgin Australia regarding ESA and service animals are the same as that of other airlines.
Hope these policies regarding ESA and service animals for some of the major airlines help you in future.
Useful Resources:
Most Healthiest Dog Breeds that Can be Kept as Pets
Flying with a Dog - Guidelines, Tips, and Helpful Tactics
Cheap ESA Letter - What are the Risks and Dangers?
