Are you planning to board a flight soon and wish to take your emotional support buddy with you? We have good news. The Allegiant Air ESA Policy is very welcoming of assistance animals. You can take your furry companion hassle-free. Keep reading to learn more about the documents you’ll need and the restrictions in place!
**Please note, as of January 11, 2021, under new regulations passed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the allowance of Emotional Support Animals onboard flights may vary from airline to airline. Please contact your airline of choice for their most up-to-date policies on Emotional Support Animals.
Allegiant Air Welcomes ESAs on Flights
Your emotional support animal (ESA) is welcome onboard Allegiant Air flights. Hurrah! If you have an emotional disability, you can now travel with your furry friend. This low-cost airline just updated its policy to be more friendly to our furry companions.
Allegiant Air also welcomes psychiatric service animals. They’re not the same as an ESA, but they also help people with disabilities.
Traveling with pets is usually a headache. There are so many requirements to worry about and things that can go wrong. Fortunately, that is changing. Being a passenger with an ESA by your side has never been easier (if you’re prepared!).
ESAs Fly for Free But You’ll Need an ESA Letter!
The best part about the Allegiant Air ESA Policy is that it doesn’t charge any pet fees. Yup, when you travel with your emotional support companion, you don’t have to pay for anything besides your ticket.
Keep in mind that only applies to you if you have an ESA letter. Only a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) can issue this legal document. A doctor’s note doesn’t always work. It’s the proof that your furry friend isn’t a pet, they’re an ESA and have rights!
Understanding the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
You have the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to thank for that. It gives those with a mental health disability the right to fly with their emotional support animals. That way, the whole travel experience doesn’t have to be as stressful. Plus, it also says that they never have to pay a pet fee.
Another important emotional support animal law is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). It lets you live with your ESA in virtually all kinds of rented units. And you won’t even have to pay a pet fee or pet deposit. But that’s something for another day.
How CertaPet Helps People Get Their ESA Letter
At CertaPet, we’re all about helping those with mental health problems. Everyone deserves to be happy and have a relaxed, anxiety-free life. That’s why we connect people with a licensed mental health professional in their state. They’ll have an appointment with you and, potentially, issue your emotional support animal letter.
Your companion won’t board the flight if they don’t have this ESA letter! You need to get it before you make your travel plans. It will make flying easier.
A Look at the Airline’s Animal and Breed Restrictions
The Allegiant Air ESA Policy has some animal and breed restrictions. Only miniature horses, dogs, and cats can fly with the airline. Unfortunately, you can’t take a pit bull type emotional support dog with you. The Department of Transportation issued guidelines against this rule, but nothing has been changed yet. As tough as it is, those are the rules (for now).
There is a separate policy for pet travel. The animal and breed restrictions are similar, but other things aren’t.
Are All ESAs Allowed in the Cabin?
Not all emotional support animals can travel in the cabin aboard Allegiant Air flights. Only miniature horses, dogs, and cats can accompany passengers with a disability.
Emotional Support Animals as Carry-On Luggage
Most ESA owners want their emotional support buddy to travel at their feet. According to the Allegiant Air ESA Policy, they can. But only if their assistance animal is small enough. Otherwise, if they’re too big to fit under the front seat, they can purchase an extra ticket for their ESA.
In-Cabin Carrier Size and Weight Restrictions
Allegiant Air recommends you bring your ESA inside a carrier. It should be soft-sided and fit under the seat of the plane. That means it must be smaller than 9 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. It must also be leak-proof and well-ventilated.
Keep in mind that your ESA should be inside the carrier the whole time. They cannot sprawl out on other passengers’ foot space or on the corridor. They also can’t rest on a seat.
The ESA Policy doesn’t specifically mention a weight restriction. However, if your companion is lighter than 15 pounds, they may travel on your lap. But only if you have a leash or harness.
Airlines Are Strict with Kennel and Carrier Requirements!
There’s no arguing your way out of these size restrictions. For safety reasons, airlines take them very seriously. And with good reason!
If your ESA doesn’t fit under the seat, they’ll probably have to travel with the checked baggage. They’d stay inside a kennel for the whole trip and you’d collect them when you get your bags.
Documentation You’ll Need to Get Your ESA on Allegiant Air Planes
An emotional support animal letter isn’t the only document you need to fly with your furry friend. You’ll need to show the airline some additional paperwork. The Allegiant Air ESA Policy says you must have the following with you:
- Veterinary Health Form: Your vet will fill this out for you and include your companion’s vaccination records.
- Mental Health Professional Form: Your therapist should fill this out with you. It states you’re receiving treatment for a mental or emotional disability included in the DSM-5.
- Animal Behavior & Responsibility Form: You must fill this section out by yourself. It states you take full responsibility for any accidents that happen involving your ESA.
You can print off these documents from the Allegiant Air ESA Policy PDF file. You’ll need to show them to airline staff at the ticket counter up to 45 minutes before boarding time.
Also, if you’re traveling outside of the 48 contiguous states, you may need additional paperwork. It has nothing to do with the airline. Rather, it’s forms and documents Hawaii, Alaska, and other countries’ Border Patrol officials ask for.
Keep in mind not all animals can leave the 48 contiguous states. Check with the airline or local authorities if you’re in doubt about your ESA’s status.
Have a Close Look at the Allegiant Air ESA Policy Checklist
Better safe than sorry, right? You need to double-, triple-, quadruple-check that you meet all the requirements before you head off to the airport. Do you have everything with you?
- Pack all the ESA documents
- Bring a soft-sided carrier with you
- Make sure you have enough food and water for your pup
- Be very early so you can be at the ticket counter 45 minutes before boarding
This also applies to psychiatric service animals, according to the Allegiant Air ESA Policy.
Where to Call or Visit for More Information on the Allegiant Air ESA Policy
Call (702) 505-8888 with any ESA travel questions. Customer service reps will explain the requirements to you and guide you through the form-filling process.
You should give them a call as soon as possible. Doing so at least 24 hours before boarding time is a good idea. Especially if you’re still wondering what all the requirements are.
Taking a Different Airline? Check Out More ESA Policies Here
We’ve covered ESA policies for most major airlines. They’re comprehensive guides to traveling with your furry companion. Plus, we’ve also covered plenty of airline pet policy guides too!