Flying with Your
Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)

Yes. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, U.S. airlines must allow trained psychiatric service dogs to fly in the cabin with their handlers. Your dog must be individually trained to perform tasks related to your mental health condition, and it must behave well and stay under your control throughout the flight.

No. Airlines can’t charge pet fees for trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs. However, you can be charged for any damage your dog causes, just as any passenger would be.

Most airlines require the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which confirms your dog’s training, health and behavior. For flights of 8 hours or longer, airlines may also ask for the DOT relief attestation form, which confirms your dog can relieve itself without causing a sanitation issue.

If you book more than 48 hours before your flight, an airline can ask you to submit your DOT forms up to 48 hours before departure. If you book closer to your flight, you can usually submit them at the gate. Check your airline’s policy when you book so you have everything ready on travel day.

Your PSD must fit in the floor space in front of your seat or on your lap without blocking the aisle or emergency exits. It must stay on a leash, harness or tether at all times. If your dog is too large for your space, the airline may offer another seat or flight.

Since 2021, most U.S. airlines have treated emotional support animals as pets, not service animals. That means your ESA must follow the airline’s pet policy, which usually includes a fee, an approved carrier and size or weight limits. Some regional or international airlines may still accept ESAs under specific conditions.

No. In December 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation revised its Air Carrier Access Act rules so that emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals. Since the change took effect in January 2021, airlines have treated ESAs as pets, so an ESA letter doesn’t give your animal free cabin access or exempt you from pet fees. Your ESA letter can still support your housing request in many states, but for air travel you’ll need to follow your airline’s pet policy. If your dog is trained to perform tasks related to your mental health condition, it may qualify as a psychiatric service dog instead.

Yes, in some situations. An airline can refuse a service dog that behaves aggressively, causes significant disruption or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Airlines can also refuse a dog if the required DOT forms haven’t been completed.

The Air Carrier Access Act covers U.S. airlines on all flights and foreign airlines on flights to or from the U.S. Your destination country may also have its own entry requirements, such as vaccinations, microchipping or quarantine. Check your airline’s policy and your destination’s rules well before your trip.