AIR TRAVEL WITH AN ASSISTANCE DOG
Frequently asked questions
Q: What laws govern air travel?
A: The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) covers all phases of
travel from reservations and use of the airline’s web site, to
secure areas of the airport, the aircraft itself and any
transportation operated within the airport’s secure area used
to change gaits. The Americans with disabilities Act (ADA)
only applies to public areas of the airport, like parking
garages, restaurants and shops outside the secure area.
Q: Do I have to tell the airline I’ll have my dog with me
when I make the reservation?
A: You are not required by law to notify the airline or any
other entity you are traveling with your assistance dog in
the continental United States. Doing so is a personal choice.
The only time you will need to notify the airline about your
dog is if you want a specific seat, like bulkhead. The Air
Carrier Access Act allows you to ask for this seat as a
“reasonable accommodation” for your assistance dog, but
you must do so at least 48 hours ahead of your flight. If you
are traveling outside the US or to Hawaii, you will need to let
the airline know you will have your dog with you.
Q: Do I have to get a health certificate for my dog before
flying?
A: If you are flying within the continental US, you do not
need to get a health certificate for your assistance dog. If
you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or Hawaii, you will need
a health certificate issued no less than ten days prior to your
travel. You may also require other paperwork so plan ahead
if traveling outside the US.
Q: Do I have to sit in the bulkhead row?
A: No. You may sit anywhere in the class in which you
bought your ticket. Sometimes there is very little floor space
in the bulkhead row and your dog will be more comfortable
under a regular seat. This will differ though between models
of aircraft. Sometimes airlines even configure the same
model of aircraft differently in terms of seats.
Q: Should I leave my dog’s harness on when flying?
A: this is a personal choice. Your dog’s harness is generally
made to allow it to lie down for long periods and be
comfortable. The movable handle of the guide dog harness
can come off if needed. If you have your dog under a seat, it
might be necessary to take the harness off to avoid it
getting caught on any equipment under the seat. If you
have any balance or other types of handles on your harness
that don’t move, the harness may need to be removed so
the dog can fit under the seat. This will depend though on
the type of plane and space available.
Q: Should I feed my dog before a flight or while on the
airplane?
A: this depends on your individual dog. Some dogs do need
a light feeding, depending on when your plane leaves and
when your dog normally eats. Whether you feed or not, try
to give your dog an opportunity to relieve itself when you
get to the airport, before going through security.
Q: I heard that airports are supposed to have relief areas
now. Is this true?
A: Yes. After May, 2009, all US airports are required to have
“Service Animal Relief areas” on their property. These areas
are not always inside the secure area though. They are often
located outside of baggage claim. Airport or airline staff are
also required to provide an escort to and from the area. If
you have to go out through the security check point to reach
the relief area, you are to be given preference when going
back through security.
Q: do I have to show the airline my ID from the school to
prove my dog is legal?
A: No. The airline can ask you if your dog is a service animal
that assists with your disability. Only if the airline staff
continues to be unclear about the dog’s purpose can they
ask you for identification to prove the dog is a service
animal. They are instructed though within the ACAA to take
harnesses, vests and other identifying gear as proof that the
dog is a service animal before asking for written proof.
Q: what can I do if the airline continues to question me
about my dog or doesn’t honor my choice of seats?
A: You can ask to speak with the airline’s Complaint
resolutions Officer (CRO). Every airline has one for every
airport. The Department of transportation also has a
Travelers with Disabilities hotline you can call in case of
questions or confusion about the ACAA. This line has live
staff during normal weekday business hours. You may leave
a message at other times or if the line is busy and they will
generally contact you regarding your issue.
Air Travelers with Disabilities Hotline
1-800-778-4838
Q: When going through the security check point, do I have
to take off my dog’s harness? What’s the procedure?
A: No. You cannot be asked to remove any equipment from
your dog when going through the security screening. Some
people choose to do so as they feel it makes the screening
faster but it is a personal choice. The metal on your dog’s
collar will set off the magnetometer though so if you choose
to remove the harness, you may wish to also remove the
collar and put on a nylon collar for the screening.
When going through the checkpoint you have several
options. You can walk through with your dog, either holding
the harness or heeling the dog. You will both set off the
magnetometer and will both need to be further scanned.
You can put your dog at a sit/stay, make a long leash and
walk through the magnetometer, holding the leash. Once
through, you can call the dog to you. The dog will set off the
magnetometer and will need to be scanned.
Q: If I don’t set off the alarm when I go through but my dog
does when he follows, do I have to be scanned?
A: No. Unless your name has come up on a random or
standard security check, you cannot be required to be
further scanned if you did not set off the magnetometer.
Q: Can I get help going through the security check with my
items?
A: Yes. Let the ticket agent know that you would like
assistance through the checkpoint. Under the ACAA,
airport/airline staff are required to assist you with your
luggage if your disability prohibits you from carrying it
yourself. This includes assistance locating your items after
screening.
You can also contact TSA in advance for assistance going
through screening. TSA CARES is a service for people
needing some additional time and assistance going through
the security screening and can be reached at 1-8855-7872227.
Q: Do I have to pre-board my flight because I have my dog
with me?
A: Technically you are not required to pre-board the aircraft
simply because you have an assistance dog. It is, however,
a good idea when possible so that you can discuss any
seating changes and get the dog settled.
Q: A flight attendant once yelled at me because my dog
wasn’t all the way under the seat but he couldn’t get all the
way under. What can I do?
A: Your dog can take up space under another passenger’s
seat area if that person agrees. Many dogs will not fit
completely under an airline seat. As long as no parts of your
dog are sticking out into the aisle, there should be no
problem.
Q: Is there a limit to how many assistance dogs can be on a
flight?
A: No. There is a limit to certain seating, such as bulkhead,
but there is no limit to how many assistance dogs can be on
a flight. If you do require bulkhead as a reasonable
accommodation for your dog, be sure to reserve that space
ahead of time.
Q: Many airlines are now charging for special seating
requests. Can they charge us for seats we want for our dogs’
comfort?
A: No. If you request a specific seat for your dog’s benefit,
this is a reasonable accommodation under the ACAA and the
airline cannot charge you extra for doing so.
Q: I have a bag for my dog’s stuff in addition to our other
carry-on bags. Does it count in the total of carry=ons and
can the airline charge extra for it?
A: The ACAA doesn’t make any specific exemptions for
supplies for your assistance dog when it comes to baggage
of any kind. Your harness would not count as extra luggage
if you choose to remove it and stow it in the overhead
compartments but bags containing food, grooming supplies
and other things for your dog do count. The airline can also
charge you for them as checked luggage as it would for any
other type of checked bag.
Q: I asked for help getting to my connecting flight and they
sent a wheelchair. Do I have to ride in it?
A: No. Just let the escort know that you will walk. You can
put your carry-on luggage in the wheelchair if you like. Many
escorts keep the wheelchairs with them for their next
passenger so do not feel insulted.
Q: Do I have to ride on the cart? If so, how is my dog going
to stay safe?
A: You are not required to ride on a cart but in some airports
it is the fastest way to get to a far gait. If you can sit in the
middle seat facing forward, most carts have enough space
for your dog to sit or lie on the floor. Avoid sitting on the
back of the cart if possible as there is often minimal
protection to keep the dog from falling off. Try not to allow
your dog on the cart seats for the convenience of other
passengers.
Q: They said I couldn’t use the shuttle to get to the other
terminal because of my dog and I had to wait for one that
was empty. Is this against the law?
A: Yes. You and your dog are allowed to use any form of
shuttle, train, bus or other conveyance that gets passengers
between terminals or to parking lots or other areas within
the airport.
Q: they told me I had to wait in the children’s lounge
between my flights so they could keep track of me. Is this
legal?
A: No. the airline cannot force you to wait in specific areas
during a layover or prior to your flight. They are not required
to check on you during a long layover though so you may
want to be proactive about asking for assistance should you
need it during that time.
Q: do I have to sit in a specific area or stay in an area to
receive assistance?
A: No. Although it might be easier to have all passengers
requesting assistance sit or wait together, you are not
specifically required to stay in one location any more than
any other passenger awaiting that flight.
Q: Who should I call if I want more information about flying
with my dog?
A: Call the Consumer services Office. We have a variety of
resources we can send you. We can also help locate
information about international travel.