Traveling with a Dedicated Emotional Support Animal

Legal Shift: In January 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revised its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations. This pivotal change removed Emotional Support Animals from the definition of ‘service animals.’ Consequently, airlines are no longer required to accept ESAs as assistance animals.

Service Animals Only: Under the new rules, only dogs are recognized as service animals, defined as dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) are a sub-category of service dogs that can perform specific tasks related to mental health conditions.

Treatment as Pets: Because they are no longer legally mandated, almost all domestic U.S. airlines and many international carriers treat ESAs simply as pets. This means they must comply with the airline’s standard pet policies, including size, species, and, most importantly, travel fees.

Fees and Carriers: To travel in the cabin with your former ESA, it must be small enough to fit inside a pet carrier that is stowed underneath the seat in front of you. A non-refundable, per-way pet fee (often $100-$150) typically applies.

International Variations: Rules can differ significantly on foreign-flagged carriers. Always check the specific animal import laws of your destination country and the airline’s individual policy. Some European airlines, for instance, still have more generous cabin accommodations for small pets, though the ESA designation itself is rarely recognized legally.