The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on JetBlue Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your furry friend for flight

The post JetBlue Airlines PSD Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on Spirit Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your furry friend for flight

The post Spirit Airlines PSD Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on American Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your furry friend for flight

The post American Airlines PSD Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on Delta Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your furry friend for flight

The post Delta Airlines PSD Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on Southwest Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your furry friend for flight

The post Southwest Airlines PSD Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

Let’s dive into the top questions people have raised around this new ruling, what ESA owners need to know, and what the years going forward will look like for those traveling with an Emotional Support Animal.

What is the Department of Transportation?

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is a federal Cabinet department of the U.S. government. This department focuses entirely on ensuring safe and efficient transportation within the U.S.

There are many administrations under the DOT, including the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

What does the new law say?

You can view the full details of the published law on the Federal Register’s site here.

Essentially, it “defines a service animal as a dog…that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”

However, this new law also “allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than service animals.”

Continue reading for more information about this new regulation and CertaPet’s stance on discrimination against those with disabilities.

Why was this new regulation created?

Airlines have been applying pressure on the DOT to curb the increasing number of ESAs on commercial flights, and after $20 million in lobbying this year, these airlines succeeded.

The move was in part a response to years of reported incidents where untrained and/or misbehaved Emotional Support Animals jeopardized the safety of passengers. The new regulation was also a means to cut down on fraudulent ESA letters and curb those passing off a mere pet as a therapy animal.

However, Prairie Conlon, the world’s leading expert on Emotional Support Animals has this to say: “We understand that there have been incidents that have discredited emotional support animals and the service they provide, but those situations could be prevented by increased regulation. This proposed rule is a step in the right direction, [but] the aim may be a little off. Emotional support animals as part of a treatment plan have been utilized for decades [and] are not anything new. They have just recently gained attention in the last several years due to several things: the increase in ESAs as our society looks for alternative non-invasive therapies such as yoga and meditation, the charade of bizarre and exotic animals people are claiming are ESAs, and the lack of regulations on online companies popping up and selling rubber-stamped ESA letters. Eliminating emotional support animals altogether is a quick, cheap fix that disregards those who really need and use the treatment appropriately.”

Who does the regulation impact?

The newly published law will impact those who use an Emotional Support Animal as part of their treatment plan in dealing with a mental or emotional disability and who normally travel with their ESA.

However, while the DOT allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than as assistance animals, it’s ultimately up to each individual airline to make a final decision on where they stand. Below are some of the airlines that will no longer recognize emotional support animals as assistance animals, along with the dates when these decisions will go into effect. If you need to travel with your comfort animal, these airlines will now require that you pay a pet fee. 

If you’re unsure about your airline of choice’s stance on ESAs, be sure to visit their website or contact their customer service department for the most up-to-date information available.

Isn’t this considered discrimination?

Emotional Support Animals are prescribed for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, panic attacks, sleep difficulty, depressive episodes, phobias, and more.

They have been used for decades and play an important role in the treatment plan that a Licensed Mental Health Professional develops for their client. Their presence helps to mitigate the symptoms of whatever mental or emotional disability an individual lives with.

As a result, Prairie Conlon, the world’s leading expert on Emotional Support Animals, calls the DOT’s newly published law “textbook discrimination.”

“I don’t see how they can say yes to a dog flying for a fee of $150 but no to a dog that has a licensed clinician’s signature on it,” Conlon says. “This proposed rule would be eliminating the ability of all clinicians and doctors to utilize [ESA] treatment for their clients with mental health concerns, when the goal should actually be to eliminate the fraudulent [ESA] sites that are enabling scammers.”

What is CertaPet doing about the new regulation?

Here at CertaPet, we believe the DOT has chosen the easy and harmful path over the correct one.

Allowing airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets rather than as assistance animals that provide a real and much-needed service discriminates against those who need ESAs as part of their treatment plan for a mental or emotional disability.

We will keep everyone updated as we work towards a compromise in legislation.

In the meantime, we are working on new options for you to continue to utilize your comfort animal, including opportunities for you to train your animal as a Psychiatric Service Dog. This is a special type of assistance animal that assists its owner by performing special tasks that can help alleviate the individual’s depression, anxiety, phobia, etc. PSDs are permitted public access to places where pets or emotional support animals are normally not allowed and have federally protected rights that allow them onboard flights as well.

You can click the button below to take our quick and FREE pre-screening to see if you qualify for a psychiatric service dog.

Interested in Getting a Psychiatric Service Dog Consultation? Take the FREE Pre-Screening Today!

Will I still be able to travel with my ESA?

As of January 11, 2021, ESA regulations will vary from airline to airline. Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, and Southwest Airlines will no longer recognize emotional support animals as assistance animals in 2021. If you need to travel with your comfort animal, these airlines will now require that you pay a pet fee.

If you’re unsure about your airline of choice’s stance on ESAs, be sure to visit their website or contact their customer service department for the most up-to-date information available.

If I received an ESA Letter Consultation from CertaPet, can I request a refund as a result of the new DOT regulations?

Although some airlines have reported no longer allowing ESAs onboard their flights (individuals will now have to pay a pet fee to travel with their comfort animal), your airline of choice may still permit emotional support animals. We encourage those who need more information to visit their airline’s website or contact their customer service department for the most up-to-date details available.

With regard to refunds, the price of your ESA Letter Consultation covered the use of the technology platform, screening, clinical evaluation, therapist consultation, and treatment planning. As these services have already been rendered, we will not be issuing refunds due to this unforeseen circumstance.

However, we will keep everyone updated as we work towards a compromise in legislation. Additionally, your therapist will still be checking in at regular intervals through email and any other mediums set up in your treatment planning. We are also working on exciting new options for you to continue to utilize your comfort animal and will be in contact as we develop them.

What other options are available for those who need an assistance animal while traveling?

The DOT now allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than as assistance animals. This means that those traveling with their comfort animal will now have to pay a pet fee when using certain airlines. If you’re unsure about your airline of choice’s stance on ESAs, be sure to visit their website or contact their customer service department for the most up-to-date information available.

However, there are other options available, including opportunities for you to train your animal as a Psychiatric Service Dog. This is a special type of assistance animal that assists its owner by performing special tasks that can help alleviate the individual’s depression, anxiety, phobia, etc. PSDs are permitted public access to places where pets or emotional support animals are normally not allowed and have federally protected rights that allow them onboard flights as well.

You can click the button below to take our quick and FREE pre-screening to see if you qualify for a psychiatric service dog.

Interested in Getting a Psychiatric Service Dog Consultation? Take the FREE Pre-Screening Today!

The post How the New DOT Regulations Will Impact ESAs in 2024: Your Top 9 Questions Answered appeared first on CertaPet®.

The guide uses plain and simple language to explain all details, including:

• Animals that are permitted on American Airlines
• Breed restriction, if any
• Pet Carrier Requirement
• Checklist of documents you must carry on flight day
• How to prepare your pet for flight

The post American Airlines Pet Policy Guide [Free Guide] appeared first on CertaPet®.

The post A Complete Guide to the Allegiant Air ESA Policy appeared first on CertaPet®.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could board a flight and enjoy your vacation with Fido? We love taking our pets with us on special trips. It brings us so much joy and makes for an unforgettable getaway! Fortunately, the Flair Air Pet Policy is welcoming of our furry friends.

All Aboard! Flair Airlines Welcomes Pets on Their Planes!

Traveling with pets can be a hassle. Navigating airlines’ pet policies is a real headache. Luckily, Flair Airlines is pretty straightforward with its regulations. Small dogs and cats are welcome in the cabin. Larger pets, unfortunately, can’t fly with this airline.

Make Sure You Reserve Fido’s Spot!

Flair Air planes aren’t very large. In fact, since they mostly handle charter flights, they’re rather small. That’s why the Flair Air Pet Policy says only four pets can travel aboard their planes at once.

When you start booking your trip, don’t forget to call the airline! Just because you purchased an air fare for yourself doesn’t mean Fido or Mittens will have room aboard.

What Animals and Breeds Are Allowed on Flair Air Flights?

Dogs and cats are the only two types of pets allowed into these planes. But not all breeds will be accepted!

For space reasons, only small breeds can fly with Flair Air. Your pet must fit under the seat in front of you comfortably. Fortunately, short-nosed breeds won’t be denied boarding. As long as they’re small, they’re welcome aboard!

It’s important to keep in mind that the Flair Air Pet Policy says no pets can be checked in. Thus, larger dogs and cats aren’t allowed in the cargo hold. Not even if they’re in a sturdy kennel.

Pets as Carry-On Luggage: Which Pets Are Allowed in the Cabin?

As we mentioned, only small dogs and small cats can travel in the cabin. That means that unless Fido or Mittens are good at fitting in small spaces, they won’t be able to go on vacation with you.

Pet and Carrier Size and Weight Restrictions

When getting ready to fly with your furry friend, you’ll need to find them a suitable kennel or carrier. It must be soft-sided, airline approved, leak-proof, and well ventilated.

It also can’t be too large. Carriers and kennels must be smaller than 16 inches long by 9 inches high by 10 inches wide. That is, under 41 cm long by 23 cm high by 25 cm wide.

Remember that there are also weight restrictions in place. The total weight of the carrier and your pet in it must be under 22 pounds (or 10 kgs).

Your Carrier or Kennel Needs to Check All the Boxes

These are a lot of rules to remember, but we can’t stress enough how important they are! If your carrier doesn’t comply with the Flair Air Pet Policy, your furry friend will stay behind. That would be enough to ruin your travel plans, right?

The Costs Involved in Flying with Fido!

Just like you have to pay for your ticket, you’ll need to pay for Fido and Mittens to fly, too! Think of it as a discounted boarding pass.

The Flair Air Pet Policy states that the pet fee for any flight is between $78.75 and $86.25. That is if you book your pet’s place in advance online.

Unlike Pets, ESAs Fly Free of Charge: You Just Need an ESA Letter!

Did you know that emotional support animals travel by plane free of charge in Canada? They provide comfort to those with emotional and mental health problems. The law calls them assistance animals, which is why their owners don’t pay a dime.

If you have an emotional or mental disability, the road to getting an ESA is easy. All your ESA needs to be protected by federal and provincial laws is an ESA letter.

CertaPet makes getting this document easier by connecting you to a mental health professional. To kickstart the process, you can take our 5-minute pre-screening for free!

Make Sure Fido Is Fit for Travel: Important Documentation You’ll Need

If you hate paperwork, we have great news for you. There are no pet travel forms to fill out. Hurrah for saving hours on headache-inducing bureaucracy!

That said, you need to phone Flair Air to let them know you’re traveling with a pet. Depending on the flight you’re on, you may be asked to present a veterinary health form. But don’t sweat it: more than likely you won’t be asked to show anything on domestic flights.

If you’re flying to an international destination, however, we have bad news. Fido and Mittens will have to stay behind. No matter what the embassy or consulate of that country say, Flair Air doesn’t allow pets on international flights.

The Flair Air Pet Policy Checklist

Now that you’re preparing your trip, we have a checklist that will save you hours (and frustration) before boarding. Make sure to tick all these boxes before hailing a taxi to drive you to the airport!

• Call ahead to let Flair Air know you’re traveling with a pet.
• Make sure to have paid the pet fee.
• Triple-check the kennel you have is airline approved.
• Have food, water, toys, and cleaning supplies to make your pet’s stay at the terminal and air travel comfortable. There won’t always be outdoor space.
• Pack any forms needed with you.

Where to Call or Visit for More Information on Flair Air Pet Policy

Getting through to customer service is a breeze. You’ll need to call (204) 285–0844 before departure, as soon as your travel plans are set in stone. Otherwise, your furry companion may not get a seat!

Taking a Different Airline? Check Out More Policies Here

Is your itinerary making you fly with another airline? We’ve covered dozens of airline pet policies on our blog so far.

Our most popular guides are the American Airlines Pet Policy, Air Canada Pet Policy, and the Southwest Pet Policy!

Make sure to double-, triple-, quadruple-check this article before boarding your flight. Traveling with Fido and Mittens can be a breeze, but only if you know the Flair Air Pet Policy!

Common Questions on the Flair Air Pet Policy

Can small dogs fly with Flair Air?

Can my pet travel in the cargo hold?

Do pets pay to fly with Flair Airline?

The post All You Need to Know About the Flair Air Pet Policy appeared first on CertaPet®.

The post Air Canada ESA Policy: Fly to Canada with Your Comfort Animal! appeared first on CertaPet®.