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Airlines will no longer be required to transport emotional support animals

Airlines no longer will be required to accommodate travelers who want to fly with emotional support animals such as pigs, rabbits and turkeys under a final rule announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The new rule now defines a service animal to be a dog that is “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability” and limits the number of service animals a person can travel with to two. It also requires airlines to treat… ( 更多...

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Pat Creed 47
Finally common sense prevails! As a recently retired FA with 43 years of seniority, I can tell you this "thorny issue" impacted crewmembers on a daily basis.
Cameron Letterman 66
This is awful! I was going to fly with my emotional support murder hornet nest next week!
Rob Martell 15
My emotional support rhinoceros is not happy, either.
Tommy The Shibe -8
What the fuuuuuu.....
Mike Davis 31
My point was that because there are NO established certification regulations to identify "Service" animals (now limited entirely to dogs and miniature horses by ADA definition) from "emotional support" animals, those of us who are tasked with screening abusers have no support or backup. We must take the word of the owner. While airlines apparently have their own set of standards, government agencies use ADA guidelines. We are seeing countless abuses of this lack of certification with "emotional support" animals being presented as "service" animals which is frustrating for us and angers those who respect and follow the rules.
Brad Littlejohn 5
We don't have to just "take the word of the owner". What needs to happen here is that since the airlines are bound by the ACAA - that supplements and at a point supersedes the ADA - the airlines can ask for the documentation I mentioned earlier at the time of booking the flight, if not at the time of check-in at the airport. If they can't provide that at that point, they don't get through security.

Passengers are t protected by HIPAA in this case, because HIPAA would come into play with accidental disclosure or theft of healthcare data. This would be the airlines requiring the passenger to give them that data to prove that they need the ESA onboard.

Once they have that, then they've fulfilled the ACAA requirement, have the paperwork to back up their claim at security, the ADA kicks in, and they are all good.

It is all about process here, and a lot of that is being overlooked due to naivety of the laws governing this.
Mike Davis 26
These restrictions and regulations have been in effect already for U.S. National Parks. The problem is one of definition. Park Rangers, for example, are restricted to asking only two questions -- "Is it a Service Animal?" and "has it been trained to perform a specific duty or function related to a disability?" They cannot ask what the disability is. They cannot ask for the owner to demonstrate the animal's alleged function.

The system is easily "gamed" by people wanting to take their pets with them. Screeners cannot ask for proof or certification because there is none recognized by the ADA. Online outlets sell dog vests with "Service Animal" on them, but it's a commercial scam and means nothing. Owners of service animals are even allowed to train their own animals. Since there is no legitimate certification of any kind for defining a "service animal" a simple lie will get any dog past a checkpoint.
Brad Littlejohn 16
However, Airlines CAN ask for that proof. That right is clearly listed in the Air Carrier Access Act. When asked by the airlines, the person with the ESA must provide:

1) Documented proof on official letterhead of the physician, less than 1 year old, that the passenger has a disability requiring the ESA;

2) documented proof by aforementioned physician that the ESA accompanying the person is necessary for the person's mental health; and

3) the person with the ESA is under the care of aforementioned physician.

If the passenger can't provide that, the ESA doesn't go onboard. It's been that way since 2003, and all the airlines need to do is use the rights granted to them by the law.
Mike Davis 2
Airlines must have a different set of rules. The ADA regs say exactly what the National Park service must go by as outlined in my original post. Those regs are online at the ADA web site. Private carriers apparently are able to ignore the ADA regs and substitute their own.
Brad Littlejohn 4
But the airlines can not ignore the Air Carrier Access Act, which supplements the ADA, which is what the airlines have to adhere to. Now, that is all for Part 121 operations. Anything private or fractional may be exempt from it. That's why I mentioned the Air Carrier Access Act and not the ADA.
Jasper Buck 2
"...for Part 121 operations.."

For Part 135 too.


Capt J Buck
Kairho Carroll 2
The ACAA supersedes the ADA for air carriers.
bobinson66 8
I think it's fair if another passenger on the plane asks questions. My wife was playing slots in a casino once and some lady came in and sat down nearby with her "service" dog. The dog was barking at people and actually nipped the pant leg of one if the casino employees. My wife was irritated from the beginning and asked, "Why the F___ do
need to bring your dog in here?"

The lady then resorted to her dime store legalese and said. "You're not allowed to ask me that."

My wife replied, "I can ask you any F___ing thing I want. I don't F___ing work here. Now go put your F___ing pet dog in the car."
paul trubits 4
You better not leave your dirty socks lying on the floor!
Robert Artac 2
When puppy gets eaten by a cougar they'll think twice.
Deborah Lipsitz 1
I'm glad the airlines have finally put an end to the abuse of the "emotional support animal" claims. I plan to have a service dog (not easy to find and train the right dog), and it will be pretty obvious that it is not an "emotional support" animal. My wheelchair will already be a dead giveaway as to what my disability is, and the harness on the dog will make clear at least one of the tasks it performs to help me.

At last check, there is no legitimate accreditation for service dogs, all that I've seen are just scams. I have my Medicare and Medicaid cards (have to be disabled or a low income senior to have the latter), and can have any one or more of my docs write a letter stating that I have a disability and that the animal performs specific tasks, without having to reveal personal medical information to the airline (beyond that individual being my doc).
jena weber 21
Hallelujah, about time.
Paul Gray 40
Thank you DOT! To those needing an "emotional support" animal to travel, I suggest a human being!
Joseph Sede 31
The "emotional supply" ploy has gone too far.
Douglas McFall 29
So glad this was passed. “Service emotional support animals” is 80% a scam.
Ted Buckenham 9
More like 99%
chop12345 28
Just take your bottle of valium or xanax with you. It can fit in your pocket, doesn't smell and doesn't poop. And let's not forget sharing them is a great way to make friends on a flight.
sparkie624 -3
Not Legal (To Share)... But a Great Idea!
Those passengers who want to have "emotional support" pets want others to take note they are a special exception.
Karen McCullough 8
Or they don’t want to pay to transport them!
Luke Closson 11
Long overdue the public has become totally out of control and unreasonable. I am tired of sitting next to a passenger with their emotional support chicken/snake/bird/etc
pagheca 11
my emotional support Rhino is very sad today.
Paul Gray 20
Thank you DOT! To those needing an "emotional support" animal to travel, I suggest a human being as an alternative!

Monte LaDow 19
FINALLY... someone with Common Sense prevailed!! Why do I have to sit next to someone with a dog or other animal off the farm. If people are that emotionally weak, they probably shouldn't even be flying.
Dennis See 5
Your last sentence nailed it!
mbrews 3
Well, important timing for common sense. The incoming Biden administration crowd (snowflake trained) would have overriding sympathy for traveling livestock. Oh-no, Dooont hurt my doggie's feewlings :(
mary susan watkins 19
manycomplaints have been filed regarding service or support animals by travellers with alleregies,etcetera,or those who just dont like sharing a seat space wtih a, or other "friend" supposedly needed by another my years of work,the MAJORITY of people travelling with a service dog,were blind,handicapped or otherwise in need of assistance to move or walk..when possible,we always seated those persons with the animal wearing a service dog vest,on the bulkhead,so the animal was at their feet,and also if possibe,left the seats next to them empty..other people who had small cats or dogs,could travel with them inside the cabin(one per cabin) IF the carrier was soft sided and would fit under the seat..these were NOT service,nor support animals,but someone who actually paid to carry the SMALL (and i emphasize SMALL)cat or dog only in the soft sided carrier AND put the animal under the seat..the strangest experience of all was the woman who had a "support goose",full sized,on a leash,that she somehow got through security with..she was in a wheelchair and had plastic suregery (looked fine to me),but her daughter said the ok was given by our offices for her mother to travel with the goose!!my supervisor said no,but we called the hdq and said ok..the flight attendants were VERY unhappy to say the least!real service animals,such as dogs,are a godsend to those who need them, and i do not recall EVER having an issue with the labradors,or golden retrievers or other such tha are most frequently used..the problem is those who abuse the idea or the privilege..
Cindy Savage 5
Exactly....a few years ago, an "emotional support" animal almost bit a phlebotomist drawing blood on their human being seen in my ER. A service dog would not have reacted.
Karen McCullough 9
I’ve always thought that if you need to have a monkey or a peacock in your lap in order to fly, then you shouldn’t be flying! This is not about flying but I was in a Walmart one day and I saw this young guy, around 18 or 19, joking with a Walmart Associate about the RAT that was on his arm! I felt compelled to say something to the Associate about rats in a grocery area and he turned to me and, NO LIE, I SWEAR! He said “this is my service animal”! Not even an “emotional support” animal but a SERVICE animal! Do I then asked him what the rat was trained to do, because service animals are entirely separate from “emotional support” animals. He said something nasty to me and walked away. If employees aren’t going to enforce the rules, what’s the point? I still cannot believe they said nothing about a rodent in there.
Jasper Buck 16
"...a monkey or a peacock in your lap..."

No. No monkeys or peacocks. Cats and ducks and, when needed, a dog.

Today's flight age is an era highlighted with increasing emphasis on safety. Instrumentation in the cockpit and in the traffic control tower has reached new peaks of electronic perfection to assist the pilot during take-offs , flight , and landings. However it is necessary to remind pilots of the basic rules concerning the so-called Cat-and-Duck Method of Flight, just in case something goes wrong with any of these new-fangled flying instruments (I never could figure what my panel was telling me) you find in today's aircraft.

So, here's what I did. I placed my pet cat on the cockpit floor. Because a cat always remains upright, he or she can be used in lieu of a needle, ball and attitude indicator. Merely watch to see which way the cat leans to determine if a wing is low and , if so , which one.

The duck is used for the instrument approach and landing. Because any sensible duck will refuse to fly under instrument conditions, it is only necessary to hurl your duck out of the plane and follow it to the ground.

There are some limitations to the Cat-and-Duck Method, but by rigidly adhering to the following check list, a degree of success can be achieved.

1. Get a wide-awake cat. Most cats do not want to stand up at all, at any time. It may be necessary to get a large fierce dog in the cockpit to keep the cat at attention.

2. Make sure the cat is clean. Dirty cats will spend all their time washing. Trying to follow a cat licking itself usually results in a tight snap roll, followed by an inverted flight and then spin. You can see this is very unsanitary and unsafe.

3. Old cats are best. Young cats have nine lives, but an old used-up cat with only one life left has just as much to lose an you do and will therefore be more dependable.

4. Beware of cowardly ducks. If the duck discovers that you are using the cat to stay upright - or straight and level it will refuse to leave the airplane without the cat. Ducks are no better on instruments than the pilot is.

5. Be sure the duck has good eyesight. Nearsighted ducks sometimes will go flogging off into the nearest hill. Very short-sighted ducks will not realize they have been thrown out and will descend to the ground in a sitting position. This maneuver is quite difficult to follow in an airplane.

6. Use land-loving ducks. It is very discouraging to break out of the clouds and find yourself on final approach for some pond in Iowa. The hunters there suffer from temporary insanity when chasing birds off their corn fields and will shoot at anything that flies.

7. Finally, choose your duck carefully. It is easy to confuse ducks with geese because many water birds look alike. While they are very competent instrument flyers , geese seldom want to go in the same direction you do. You could yourself in Canada or Norway.

Bill Butler 2
Where's my laughing so hard it's crying emoji when I need it? Great one, Mr. Buck!
WhiteKnight77 1
I love this, I had a great laugh over it.
patrick baker 1
you a clever man, mr jasper....
Paul Miller 25
Thank Goodness I will not in the future be having to sit with some PIG BIRD SNAKE or other Animal whos been brought on board because some weak unable to function person needs that item to cuddle ?
Max Gold 3
Well said!
sparkie624 17
About time.
Ron Dylewski 6
I have shown pedigreed cats for many years. It bothers me that I have to pay $150+ to put them under the seat (why am I not charged this for my briefcase?) but I deal with it. However, I do know of a group of cat people who would claim their cat was an ESA as a way to skirt the fees. I'm no fan of that scam, nor of most people who claim to "need" an animal. As others have suggested, there are better ways to deal with the fear of flying, if that is indeed even the case.
chop12345 4
Ron, I appreciate your honesty first off. My problem is I am extremely allergic to cats. But, every time I noticed a cat in a seat near me I have been accommodated by the crew to move me to a further seat location. I wonder if a letter from my allergist would keep all cats out of the cabin? I'd love to see the flight crew on the radio talking to HQ about that!
Ron Dylewski 2
In my experience, I have never seen a fellow pax have anything like an allergy attack when they were unaware of my cat in the cabin. I've flown coast to coast and no one ever had a problem. I truly believe that because they are sheltered and confined under the seat, that the amount of allergens is minimal and diffused across such a large space, that you would not be affected. Most people who are allergic (at least what I've seen) need to have close contact (petting, etc) or being a home where cats live, to really have a bad attack.
sparkie624 1
LOL... I agree... I have a Savannah Cat who walks on a Leash (with Walking Jacket). Will sit and stay when told while on the leash.... Behaves better in an airport than a Dog in a Kennel and many times Friendlier! She is not trained, but she could qualify for a Support Animal... LOL.. Maybe.. great idea... Maybe I could declare her as one.... (NAH!)
David Salter 16
Face it! The majority just want to bring their pets along. I can't remember the last time I actually saw a TRUE service dog in an airport. BTW, how would a turkey provide emotional support? Give me a break and I rest my case! Thank goodness someone took a stand against these imposters!!
sparkie624 12
"how would a turkey provide emotional support?" - Very easily... After the Funeral of my dear beloved Turkey last month, he made a great 8 course meal... :) - He was great! (Or was it a She)! After Dinner, my emotion status was very high!
Michael Penney 1
We saw an apparently blind man being actively assisted by a dog last year at HOU, ATL or RIC.
David Rice 3
Peter Van Alstyne 11
So tired of people abusing established protocols to enable the disabled to enjoy the best quality of life possible. A comfort animal is nothing more than a pet. By definition, a pet is a COMFORT animal. It is nauseating how many people have resorted to counterfeit certificates of "trained service animal" so they can bring their pet dingo into a restaurant or packed airline flight. Until the airlines clamp down hard, firm and clearly (with kindness) on these abusers, this latest measure will be abused by selfish, dishonest people with mommy issues.
Ron Nantes 5
Ah. The jokes just write themselves.
Max Gold 16
Finally! This abuse has gone on for too long. Funny airlines stopped serving peanuts because of passengers with allergies. What about passengers who are allergic to pet danger? If you need to bring your pet, DRIVE!
sparkie624 5
Yes... My cat goes on Vacation with me and we Drive...
Brad Littlejohn 1
My wife is blind. We bring her guide dog with us each and every time she flies. Her disability is noted and requires her service animal. Your allergy is not. If you can't handle the pet, get take the next flight.

The ACAA allows her to bring her guide dog. It isn't our problem your allergy can't handle that. However, if you don't want someone who is blind to bring their eyes, could you kindly take yours out so they can see? After all, it's only fair that if you rob them of their sight to take care of your allergy, that you give them your eyes so that they can see.
ttimtm58 9
Has anyone thought of human emotional support? Animals can provide just so much. There are limitation on the abilities of a "trained" animal. Remember it is an animal and it cannot replace the support of a human. Such animal are great for nursing home and true disabled individuals, nothing more. Keep your pets at home if you travel and have them cared for by a professional while your away. Stop be so emotionally attached to your animal. What is this world coming to....
TristansDad 6
Yes, but the people sat next to me object when I try to pet their hair.
davehuffma 9
what am I supposed to do with this python now?
Joel Crawley 4
It’s basically a case of “that’s why we can’t have nice things.” Started with the best intentions but a bunch of jackasses ruined it for people who might really need it.
Michael Manguso 4
It's a relief to see this change. Too many took advantage.
TristansDad 7
I'd like to bring an emotional support pilot to reassure me that everything is OK. But I'm concerned that they won't fit under the seat or in a carrier. What should I do?
David Rice 1
Buy him/her a ticket.
David Cowling 7
It’s about time. Highly abused program that should have never been allowed to start with.
William Cline 6
The support animal program has been a joke for a long time. But, how are airline staff supposed to confirm that a dog has been trained?
WhiteKnight77 1
Actual trained service animals will have documentation as to the training.
Denelle Keeler 3
That peacock was over the top though.
marymcelyea 9
It’s about time! What a stupid thing...Detroit airport even has an area inside the terminal for dogs to do their business...Nuts! Keep all animals out if the cabin...There’s enough of them already there amingst the flying public.
M20ExecDriver 6
The entire service animal protocol is 99.99% a scam. Glad this was done. I only wish it was the same for retail stores and eateries.
Robert Mack 3
And as I read the comments while waiting on my grandson to get out of class, some students have emotional support animals - very sad.
Paul Schiesser 4
Yea! Get your freaking miniature horse off of this airplane!
Pileits 2
It's about time these people that insist pm bringing there little "Foo-FOO" dog into the cabin with them for emotional support always was crazy.
If a person can't travel without thie doggie in their lap those person ought to really be staying at home in bed and have foo-foo with them in bed. bark
Lynette Filipov 2
Thank goodness. It's about time, as it had gotten way out of hand and beyond ridiculous. Why didn't we need them before?? Good sense prevails for a change.
patrick baker 2
hard to believe, but some of our traveling fellow citizens would like to transport their pet free of charge and get a kick out of scamming the system, calling the whatever a service animal. If anyone needs another species other than a trained, certified service dog, they ought to take a train, and not irritate the lqw abiding most of the rest of us. Kudos for those who stopped the animal parade going through the TSA lines.
WhiteKnight77 2
This was a much needed rule change. The way I see it is that the proliferation of ESAs came with the expansion of safe spaces, the need for coloring books, etc. Trained service animals should have certification from the trainers stating what they are trained for. The ADA does not require such though the ACAA can.
Mike Connelly 3
If one needs the emotional support of an animal to travel then one needs to be self-sufficient. Have your own aircraft, automobile, and/or boat ... problem solved!
mdburd 3
I fully support this ruling--and (full disclosure) I travel with my dog in the cabin; however, I have always paid for his ticket.

I have a home in the Caribbean; thus flying is the only way to get off my little pebble in the sea from time to time. Macallan is a very well trained Westie. In lines, he'll either be at a proper heel walking position--or if we're standing--simply sitting by my side. When time to board, I simply open his bag, say "IN", and he walks in waiting for the zip to close--and he remains in the bag for 100% of the flight.

We've too many times seen so-called emotional support dogs snarling and fighting with each other--snapping at other folks in line, that it is patently ridiculous.

It's either a service dog--or a pet. If you want your pet to fly, pay the $250 or so round trip to do so.
Karen McCullough 1
Dave McEvoy 1
What airlines do you use
mdburd 1
Home is on STJOhn, USVI--so if I'm just going to PR, I'll fly Seaborne or JetBlue. Off island, American has the most flights per day, so probably 75% of the time, them--Delta would be the other 25% off further off island trips.
Unless I'm flying direct to Europe--then I take a hop to ST Martin and fly either Air France or KLM direct from there.... Saves the connections in Miami, JFK, ATL, etc.
Jasper Buck 4
The official DOT final rule (still to be published in the Federal Register) can be found here:

All 122 page of it.

My guess is that President Biden's new Transportation Secretary will rescind the regulation in deference to advocates for the "disabled" to facilitate their bringing any animal they want on aircraft so long as the “...animal shown by documentation to be necessary for the emotional well-being of a passenger.” In other words if you're nuttier than a fruitcake that's OK and if you need to have your Belgian or Clydesdale horse with you in order to cope with life's challenges that's OK too, c'mon board.

Glad I'm retired from the aviation business. Nowadays you don't know if you're going to die because of inept pilots or a passenger infected you with the Covid-19 virus or his (or her) pit bull or rottweiler attacked you.


J Buck
Aviator (Ret.)
sparkie624 7
I am waiting for the person with an Emotional Support Rattle Snake...
HP Baumeister -3
Omg - a tRumper....
I cannot take the argument that there is truly a need for "emotional support" animals in flight. It is an attention-getting strategy passengers use in order to have their pets travel with them. Those passengers use the strategy to call attention to themselves as very important or special individuals. It's inconsiderate and selfish in my opinion.
David Rice 1
Actually, those people you refer to who are gaming the system want no attention called to them. If attention gets called to these people, they might be exposed as fee dodgers. Human beings tend to want to not have that interaction, so they are trying to avoid attention, not seek it.

Obviously, these fee dodgers want special treatment, but not extra attention.
D4D77 2
this was a scam from the start! the other passengers were forced to place themselves in harms way. clearly the tyranny of the minority!
If all the asylums hadn’t been shut down we wouldn’t have to deal with Esa’s.
blt56 1
New York TImes article:
Cindy Savage 1
When someone shows up in my ER with an "emotional support" peacock.....and, yes, it happened....
Margaret Gage 1
Absolutely about time.
Karen McCullough 1
What would make it a lot easier to separate the “wheat from the chaff” is to require all service animals to have a certification card. That would help airline employees and it would also eliminate the people who try to pass off their pet as a trained service animal.
M20ExecDriver 1
I'd like to try and take my emotional support python. That'll keep that middle seat open.
C B 1
Finally! The airlines are seeing through the BS! *cheers & applause*
Jim Bassler 1
It's not enough. My wife is asthmatic and on a pre Covid flight from SAN to PHL we had a Lab sized long haired dog laying on the floor taking up the full width of the bulkhead. We were across the aisle and could see the dog's hairs floating int the air prior to departure. The owner also had another human companion. Sure Airlines are attempting to accommodate these animal dependent folks but it is at the expense of other passengers who may have real health issues. This is BS when accommodating one person threatens the health of another.
Mike Mohle 1
Finally!!!!!! Always was a scam!
Tim Teifer 1
about time...many of these folks scammed the need for such animals to avoid the fee to have an animal onboard in the cabin. These animals frequently result in issues for other PAX and crew. Service animals are trained for assisting their masters, and keep a low profile. I have never experienced any issues with a service animal...never heard one even bark onboard.
Jesse Carroll 1
About time! Does this give a new meaning to "there is an Elephant" in the room etc:
Gary Harper 1
Bob Jordan 1
So...... I can't bring my pet Chupacabra anymore? What the hell?
Robert Jennings 1
Hopefully, DOT's ruling will trickle down to landlords. Especially in California!
Jerry Minnick 1
Roosters are a pain in the ass. Fall asleep then wake up thinking you're in Arkansas.
aurodoc 1
Well I guess this is a good idea since it has been abused greatly. I will admit guilt with my wife getting a supporting letter from a psychologist so we could take our 8 pound Papillon on the plane without paying for the dog. On Southwest the cost for the dog was 95 dollars each way and the seat cost was 59 dollars for me. I asked if I could buy a seat for our dog since it was cheaper but they said no-- not possible.
ToddBaldwin3 11
I'm glad you at least admitted to feeling guilty about it, but it still greatly offends me. I have never lied about my dog and paid the fees for her to travel as baggage (70 pound German Shepherd). I just as easily could have classified her as an ESA, the same you did. If I don't want to pay the fee, I board her, or drive to where I'm going.
aurodoc 0
Except my dog is in a carrier and fits under the seat just like your carry on
ToddBaldwin3 3
But you still scammed the system to avoid paying the required fee.
Michael Reamy 1
I carried a donkey! I'm glad I retired out of the industry! What a F'ing mess it became
KoolerKT -1
ignorant responce
Paul Thomas 0
I used to fly with my emotional support lemur, but it refuses to wear a mask.
MH370 0
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

US DOT Takes Stronger Stand Against Emotional Support Animals

No longer categorizing emotional support animals (ESAs) as service animals, the DOT is giving airlines more options when it comes to transporting emotional support animals.
zamoragr -6
I travel with my very necessary ESA. It's way too easy to get a fake ESA letter, which makes my life and the lives of everyone else who relies on an ESA harder. Airlines could easily fix the problem by requiring documented proof of whatever condition the passenger has, a letter saying that an ESA is part of treatment or management of said condition, and proof that the passenger has been seeing said medical professional for an extended period of time. Require that the letter be from a medical professional in the more or less same area that the passenger lives. If they live in New York but a doctor in Utah gave them an ESA letter, unless they can prove they recently moved from Utah you can assume it's fake. If you have a real ESA, it shouldn't be a problem to provide these papers. Delta can look at my entire medical history if they want.

Also lower the cost of flying with your pet so there's less demand for fake ESAs. Problem solved.
Brad Littlejohn 4
They already have that. It is called the Air Carrier Access Act. It has had that requirement in the act since 2003. All the airlines need to do is read it and enforce it.
Jim Bassler 1
I would suggest raising the cost to offset the extra cleaning required as a result of the animal's hair and dander polluting the aircraft environment. What does someone with asthma do when your dog's dander is breathed in causing an asthma attack.
mdburd 1
Good afternoon Jim: In response to the "raise the price"--there are many instances where my dog's fee is higher than some of the fares in the coach cabin.
In fact--recently on Delta--one could purchase a RT Coach ticket from JFK to San Juan for $307 RT. I would pay $400 RT for the same trip (DL charges $200 each way to the Caribbean).
When I fly to San Juan from ST Thomas--his fare is always more than mine--I pay between $49 and $79 each way, the dog's fee is $125 each way.

--In other words, those of us that do actively pay for the privilege of bringing our pets--are paying a premium for it... Thanks. mdb.
David Rice 0
Cough, probably.
ferrair 0
My dachshund suffers abandonment anxiety, therefore I need to travel as his "emotional support owner".
Jerry Minnick 0
Thank you!
Zenobia Bowman 0
Are the animals that are put in cages in cargo is it heated and comfortable for them?
ToddBaldwin3 2
The cargo hold for animals is temperature and pressure regulated, but not all dogs are suited for air transport. When I arrived at Yokota in Japan, when I went to to pick up my dog from the holding area, the Vets were doing CPR on a bull dog. I'm fortunate that my German Shepherd is pretty laid back and handles air travel so well.
joannaocello 2
Animals have died in cargo. I would drive before putting my dog in there.
ToddBaldwin3 2
Yes they have, but that's more a function of the breed and the health of the animal than the airline.
Pileits 2
Driving across oceans along with your dog is rather difficult as your car fills up with water quickly.
Pileits 1
You'll have to ask a dog if the cargo hold was comfortable few passengers have ridden down below except for those passengers that are dead and in a casket.
Ron Nantes 1
Yes, it is.

