Airline passengers for years have faced a choice when traveling with pets.
- Pay a pet in cabin fee for small dog or cat. And on top of the fee, the pet goes underneath the seat in front of you, but you aren’t allowed to bring a full-sized carry-on bag onto the plane.
- Or just pretend to have an emotional support animal. It’s free. You can still bring your carry-on bag. It can even be a horse.
Before the pandemic, the FAA worked with airlines on new regulations that helped them crack down on the Noah’s Ark approach to domestic pet travel. Ostensibly passengers are limited to real service animals now. In practice, though, you just have to fill out paperwork in advance and say you have a service animal.
That step alone cracks down on some of the abuse. People who were bringing turkeys onto planes aren’t also the people who tend to file paperwork in advance. However there’s still a disconnect.
Fortunately American Airlines has changed one policy that made it difficult to go legit, pay the fee, and keep fido or fifi in under the seat in front of them. American will no longer require you to forfeit your full-sized carry-on bag when flying with a pet in cabin.
- As of March 28, American Airlines no longer makes passengers give up their carry-on bag if they bring a pet in cabin.
- The old policy was they could bring a pet and a personal item only.
- Now they can bring a pet and either a carry-on or personal item.
American’s website has not yet been updated with this information as of this writing. However the new policy makes sense, as the theory at least was that you’d still only be bringing two items on board and not taking up more room in the overhead bin than a traveler without a pet – and that largely remains true. American also had larger overhead bins than when this old policy was put in place decades ago.
Will the emotional support animal madness ever end?
Jesus, if you can’t fly without Fluffy, try the bus!
And people with allergies to dog and cats?
Or not want carpeting with pet urine?
What will happen when the dog bites an unrelated passenger, because the owner refused to keep it contained?
Nearly every dog bite is done by a pet whose owner will swear that it would NEVER hurt anyone.
Asking for a friend.
oh Zebraitis? What about kids? screaming, crying, kicking the seat, spilling drinks, whining, getting up to go to the bathroom 8 times, getting their grubby little hands on everything…Give me a dog or a cat in their carrier 10 out of 10 times over a kid….
Asking, as well, for a friend.
If I get to bring an emotional support animal on board for free, my choice is my financial planner.
Bona fide, document backed service animals are the ONLY animals that should be allowed to be in cabin on aircraft. All of the other “emotional ” animals should not be allowed in the cabin. Enough of this stupidity.
Dogs are just four legged humans, right?
Uh, no.
Why is this just a US airline problem? Other countries must be doing it right.
The people that complain about dogs are the same people that have the horribly behaved children that ruin most flight experiences anyway. Almost every dog ive seen on a plane has been better behaved than the children and some of the adults.
Finally thank you AA I wil book my trip sun of possible!
It is a US only problem because the ADA forbids public accommodations (which include airliners) from demanding a person prove a service animal is a real service animal. ADA says that if someone says a service animal is a service animal, it’s a service animal and the accommodation must admit them. It also doesn’t help that there are no national standards or certifications for such animals.
If they are so mentally ill that they need a dog,rent a damn car.
And people with allergies to dog and cats? > You need to tell the carrier when booking your flight that you are allergic to cats or dogs — if not service dogs rule over you & you can take another flight. emotional support animals have no rights.
Or not want carpeting with pet urine? > service dogs do not do this – again these fake service dogs and emotional service animals need to be stopped or regulated. it makes those of us who do need service animals look bad.
What will happen when the dog bites an unrelated passenger, because the owner refused to keep it contained? > again — this goes to my point — pets should be contained. fake service dogs and emotional service animals should be regulated. this would not happen with a service dog.
Nearly every dog bite is done by a pet whose owner will swear that it would NEVER hurt anyone. > I wouldn’t know about that since I have had only working service animals. If you truly feel this way book a flight without a service animal on board — only 2 per flight are allowed.
Asking for a friend. > unnecessary – just own it. I am frustrated as well when my service dog gets bitten by a dog who jumped out of a purse at the grocery store. States like California have hefty fines + jail time for those owners who are fakers and another fine for the store for not enforcing the service dog only – no pet policy.
I’m bringing my daughter. Pretty sure she identifies as a cat.
It is a US only problem because the ADA forbids public accommodations (which include airliners) from demanding a person prove a service animal is a real service animal. ADA says that if someone says a service animal is a service animal, it’s a service animal and the accommodation must admit them. It also doesn’t help that there are no national standards or certifications for such animals. >>>>>>>>>>>>> but there are standards and such we just don’t talk about them publicly because the fakers will try to ruin those systems as well — I have no issue traveling on planes, trains, ferries etc or anywhere with my service dog. I just spend most of my time looking for these fakers because they endanger my service dog and myself.
Dogs are just four legged humans, right?
Uh, no.>>>>>>>> no they are not humans but some are extraordinary and give those of us that need them for specific tasks a better life. Notice I say tasks — plural — my service dog knows over 75 versus the average emotional support animal knows 1 and that is debatable.
Bona fide, document backed service animals are the ONLY animals that should be allowed to be in cabin on aircraft. All of the other “emotional ” animals should not be allowed in the cabin. Enough of this stupidity.>>>>> agreed – as a service dog patient I am sick of these fake service dogs and emotional support animals who are untrained, not groomed, not potty trained, terrible manners etc.
@Meh There should be ADA certified dogs. No certificate, no bringing it on a flight
I want a federal law that makes it a crime (say max $10,000 fine and 5 year no fly) to travel with an animal in the cabin (not caged) that us not service animal. Arrest a few, give a small fine and a 1 year flight ban, and maybe this stops.
I love my dog so much that I leave him home when I travel.
My entire family are very allergic to cats. Will we be moved to first class to get away from this? This is unbelievable it’s not our fault we are allergic, but it’s their fault that they have to have their animals with them on board. There should be some other method of transporting the animals, then in the cabin.
Basset Hounds don’t fit under the seat, and weigh maybe 60-70 pounds. Just let me buy an entire row, and fly with my dog. I will happily pay for this.
Until then: Emotional support animal.
I’m scared for my dog, not myself
A dog ha to be tiny to fit in an under seat carryon, which leaves the option of the hold and indifferent airline care. I’d be willing to buy a seat for my dog & keep him there, but I don’t trust the airline. Luggage gets lost.
Dogs have never highjacked a plane. Nor do they get drunk and start arguments and fights. They don’t kick seats or get fresh with the stewards. I’ll welcome dogs next to me anytime.
I am allergic to cats and dogs.
I start to sneeze and cough with watery eyes when a cat or a dog is near by on the airplane.
Will the airlines ever be considerate for passengers allergic to animals?
Some of you seem to misunderstand. Not all dogs you see on the airplanes are service animals. I often travel with my small dog in a crate and check in as a pet. For my pet, I do pay an expensive charge which is almost as expensive as my ticket. Also, with a pet, I must check in and pay for my carry-on bag as you are only allowed to bring 1 personal item when traveling with a pet that is not a service animal.
The amount of anti animal idiocy in the comments is troubling. Non aggressive dogs and their people should be able to fly together, in cabin, regardless of size, and regardless of SD or ESA status. Your anti animal views do not entitle you to exclude my dog any more than I get to exclude your kids that I so justifiably dislike. If you don’t like dogs, walk or as one other commenter said with hostility towards dog families, take the bus.
It is also astonishing how none of the people with alleged allergies seem to break out in hives when it comes to service animals. Spare me.
It’s really out of control. It’s disgusting how america is letting this allowed! There’s a big difference between emotional animals and service dogs. Service dogs will never piss or take a crap anywhere, that’s how they are trained. Emotional animals have known to crap and piss anywhere, like inside Walmart. It’s disgusting!
My pit bull is as gentle as a lamb and better behaved than most of you
He has attacks very few and only when provoked
Has never been drunk, done drugs or smoked
The more I know about people the more I love my dawg
To the people who keep writing that the ADA applies to the airlines because they’re public accommodations, just stop. ’m a lawyer and one of my practice areas is the ADA. The airlines are expressly excluded from having to comply with the ADA and are not public accommodations as defined by the Civil Rights Act. Instead, the airlines are bound by the Air Carrier Access Act, which has its own set of guidelines, which work on conjunction with DOT regulations regarding air travel. So, for example, while the airlines cannot bar a disabled passenger from flying or limit the number of disabled passengers on a plane, a disabled passenger cannot claim that the have a right to an exit row seat as a reasonable accommodation because FAA regulations pemit limiting access to exit rows for safety and security reasons. In other words, the ACAA gives the airline the ability to limit certain conduct that the ADA does not and is simply not comparable.
I’m so over the fragile snowflake b.s. where everyone must accommodate every conceivable weirdo because feelings. When does this idiocy finally end? Will it? And why are people so unbelievably self-centered today? Why can’t people behave like rational human beings anymore? I love animals with my whole heart and they DO NOT BELONG ON FLIGHTS.
YOU KNOW HOW NOT TO GET BIT BY AN ANIMAL? DONT PET ANIMALS THAT ARENT YOURS
My 5 pound Yorkie has been on 50+ flights over the past several years. She does not bark and remains in her carrier underneath the seat in front of me. People are not aware she is even on the flight.
Unlike the last flight where in the row behind us were a mom with a 6-month old in her lap crying most of the flight, the dad in the window seat with the 20-month old in his lap making soaring noises and pretending to be an airplane through the entire flight and the four year old in the middle seat who spent the entire flight kicking the back of my seat.
Give me a silent 5 pound dog in a carrier over noisy children any day!
Interesting that you’ve chosen to post outdated information in this article.
The Airline Carriers Access Act was updated in December of 2020 which no longer requires airlines to transport emotional support animals, or service miniature horses.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Final%20Service%20Animal%20Rule%20%28FR%20Version%29.pdf
@dwondermeant
You’re a dumbass that should be banned from the airlines and this page
About your pit bull in your own words: “He has attacks very few”
Your dog shouldn’t be attacking anyone!
The horse in the video is NOT emotional support. Mini horses are service animals too, along with dogs. Those are the only two animals that are legally granted access, required by law.
But air travel is exempt from ADA laws and they’re able to deny disabled people with medical aid/tools from getting on. Disabled people depend on these dogs and miniature horses. It’s people who don’t want to pay a fee who endanger everyone.
For people who need to travel with animals they have other issues. Just stay home and deal with them.
Off-topic, but my son is terrified of dogs. If we are seated next to a service animal I assume we could ask to be moved, but if that was not an option we probably need to get off the plane. Would we be forfeiting our tickets?
I have a Certified Pet Therapy Dog who visits in hospitals and schools. She went to puppy kindergarten, Basic obedience 1&2, Good Canine Cert, and Pet Therapy. In total 37 weeks of training, not to mention all the personal hours spend with training. She is licensed and insured by an agency that keeps up with her credentials. Every place she visits is provided copies of paperwork. Service dog provides more valuable support with less regulation.
Why won’t airlines just allow pet owners to buy full-price seats for pets instead of limiting the policy to whatever you can fit under a seat? I would be more than happy to pay for an extra seat (or even two if necessary) for my pet to fly with me. My current alternative is to drive (time consuming) or board my dog with a sitter (equal or greater cost as a plane ticket & often traumatic for the dog). I thought airlines were always looking for additional revenue opportunities. Price it high enough and you are less likely to get folks who allow pets to behave badly on planes.
Pretty soon every flight will be referred to as NOAH’S ARK 1…. NOAH’S ARK 2….
Why not have some flights that allow dogs and others not. Let that person buy 2 seats or the row. There are surely ways to accommodate dog lovers and dog haters.
Let’s hope princess Pete Butiagi gets bit by seones dog while flying. He’ll have a tizzy and finally institute proper documentation rules.
I like the guy who thinks his dog is as gentle as a lamb due to the fact it has only “attacked a few times.”
That’s not very lamblike imo.
As a former flight attendant, I’ve literally gotten crapped on by an “emotional support dog” I have seen LEGIT service animals but the whole thing is getting out of hand. A real life scenario- pax in seat 4D, last row of first class. Extremely allergic to the “emotional support animal” in the second row in coach behind him. Guess who got kicked off and put on the next flight? The guy with the terrible allergies. Not the slob traveling with her dog wearing a fake Amazon animal support vest. It turns out the guy in first was a million miler too. He was pretty chill but that woman had no paperwork showing legitimacy of that animal & the airline did nothing to protect the passenger who likely flies weekly. Is what it is anymore.
Plane Guy, your response to this article is homophobic and worth being on here. Don’t like being called out then don’t post hateful comments.
Has anybody thought that military members often fly with their pets, when they change stations for a re-enlistment? (I am going to Asia this summer, and planning to have my cat in cabin and dog in cargo is incredibly stressful) It’s a frustratingly difficult process to even find available flights that allow pets on board- the decision between risking flying a pet in cargo during typical change of station summer months or leaving them behind with family is an awful one that so many have to make. I think that for military service members and for the people who genuinely have need to fly with their animals, this is a kind and wonderful policy. Allergies are obviously a concern to be brought to attention. And just saying- there are people who will always take advantage of the systems, and they’re usually awful anyway and in the minority… sympathy, kindness, patience?
Anna, “former airline attendant” should know that there’s no such thing as “paperwork for service dogs.”
There is no registry or paperwork for service dogs. Yes, people can order anything off the internet. Or, if your dog was trained by a business, they would have a graduation cert and possibly a card. Service dogs can be trained by owners and no paperwork is required or given. There is no “legal paperwork ” or somekind of legit registration for service dogs. Seems like every other posts on here is asking for “paperwork “, when actual legit service dogs do NOT have papers.♂️
In 2024, before every flight, at the gate, the gate announces a laundry list of civilized passenger behavior when boarding and flying, followed by the pilot on-board announcing civilized passenger behavior rules and a code of conduct of passenger interaction with flight crew. I feel treated like the reprobate subject of a juvenile court proceeding…I barely understand the nuances of these AA rules, and I imagine they will be fully ignored, and then some, by the powerful support animals lobby.
Yes, the Golden Age of Travel has more than just gone to the dogs….
The key words in your comment are “has only attacked a few times” which really means he will attack who knows what may provoke him it could be someone’s perfume or cologne or the color red put these animals in the belly of the plane where they belong if I’m paying $400 or more for a seat I certainly don’t want to sit next to a dog
I fly several times a month for business. Twice I’ve seen large dogs flying in first class seats. Recently there was a dog fight in the waiting area while waiting to board. A woman recently took her large dog with her when she went to the restroom on board a plane. How did they both fit???
It’s getting ridiculous. If people want to bring their pets, they ought to be crated.