Airline Rules for Flying with Service Dogs
ADA law also allows service dogs on airplanes when individuals with service dogs are traveling. Here are the guidelines that some of the airlines have with regards to flying with your service dog:
Jet Blue
Service Animals shall have identifiers such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags or “the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal”.
American Airlines
There is no charge for service animals used by customers with disabilities. A harness, tag or vest indicating status as a service animal will be helpful in distinguishing them to airport personnel. However, credible verbal assurance that the animal is providing a service to assist with a disability will suffice should an inquiry be made.
US Airways
To show that an animal is a service animal, you must provide one of the following:
- Animal ID card
- Harness or tags
- Other written documentation
- Credible verbal assurance
Virgin America
Service animals (seeing eye dogs and other animals that are appropriately certified by a physician or other credible person/agency, etc.) may accompany a Guest with a disability on a flight. Any of the following evidence is acceptable as proof of an animal’s service status.
- An identification card for the animal;
- The presence of harness or markings on harnesses tags; or
- The Guest’s credible verbal statement.
Alaska Air
Register service dogThere is no additional charge to travel with a working service animal.
A harness, tag or vest indicating status as a service animal will be helpful in distinguishing them to airport personnel. However, credible verbal assurance that the animal is providing a service to assist with a disability will suffice, should an inquiry be made.
Properly harnessed service animals may sit at the traveler’s feet, unless the service animal is too large and obstructs an aisle or other area used for emergency evacuations.