Clover is my three-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and she loves flying with me. She likes the air view and often doesn’t like the car driving.
However, Clover does not want to miss any action when flying around the world.
However, it comes with a price! I must pay for her to travel with me.
For instance, I love using JetBlue because it has a dog program. When we use the JFK terminal, Clover can use a bathroom inside the terminal.
This means I don’t have to struggle to find an area for her to ease herself. Do airlines charge a pet fee? Pet travel can burn a big hole in your pocket, especially if you are on a tight budget.
Sometimes, your pet’s flight fee might be more expensive than your ticket. For instance, when I flew to Florida to meet my friends, I spent more on her add-on fare. However, rules must be obeyed, and I don’t mind spending such an amount to give her the luxury of traveling.
Meanwhile, I wish I could enjoy an extra carry-on bags to travel.
Airlines vs Pet fee
American Airlines
I have flown American Airlines with Clover two conservatively, and it was fun. Pets you can fly in the cabin include dogs and cats, which weigh no more than 20 pounds in size and are older than eight weeks.
Nevertheless, you have to pay $125 per pet for service through the Mexico, Central America, United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Pet owners who want to check their dogs in the baggage hold for pets up to 100 pounds in size), you must pay $200 per pet. However, check your carrier before you book your ticket.
Additionally, American Airlines has a special Cuddle Class for passengers flying between LA and San Francisco and NYC. The airline offers pets extra room on flights next to their owners.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines allows you to fly your dog in a cabin if it is a small breed. Large pets are allowed to fly in the cargo hold. Meanwhile, pet owners can bring small, vaccinated dogs and cats on their flights in carriers, but the pets must not be larger than 18.5 inches x 8.5 inches x 13.5 inches.
The airline affords you a more affordable fee than American Airlines’ pet fees. The airline collects $95 each way per pet carrier.
Meanwhile, the airline restricts the number of pet carriers allowed on each flight. For instance, the airline allows six pets per flight and works on a first-come, first-served basis.
JetBlue
JetBlue is more expensive than Southwest Airlines because it charges $125 per carrier. The airline offers pet owners complimentary services when they fly with their pets. You can fly with your cat and dog in the cabin with its complimentary JetPaws service. JetBlue limits the number of pets to four pets per flight.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is a regional, low-cost provider, which is more affordable than JetBlue and American. You can pay at least $100 each way for your pet. Allegiant offers you an opportunity to travel in the aircraft cabin.
The pet must have a maximum size of 9 inches x 16 inches x 19 inches. Also, pet service is only provided on flights within the contiguous United States and to Puerto Rico.
I like this airline because it does not have strict pet restrictions and you don’t have to provide the airline with any health certificates before your flight..
Frontier Airlines
The airline is the most affordable if you want to travel with your pet. You can pay at least $75 per segment and you can only consider the dimension no larger than 18 inches x 14 inches x 8 inches.
In addition, Frontier allows you to bring more than just dogs and cats in the cabin. Some of the pets that can fly include guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and household birds.
Finally, you don’t need your pet’s health certificate before flying.
ESA vs. Pet Flight Fee
2 years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it would not require airlines to carry emotional support animals for ESA owners.
Before this rule change, I was required to travel with proper documentation from any licensed mental health expert. However, the new rule didn’t go well for me because of my situation.
Earlier, I was hopeful that some United States airlines could accept me voluntarily. Today, almost all airlines have stopped their ESA programs. Meanwhile, the DOT rules let me fly with my psychiatric service dog free of charge.
Airlines that have stopped ESAs programs treat animal companions as a normal pet. What does this mean? Depending on weight and size, you have to pay for your pet to fly. While some pets can fly in the cabin, others fly in cargo. Furthermore, some animals may never fly.
Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs)
People who own psychiatric service dogs can fly their pets free of charge. However, ESA pets are not psychiatric service pets. In some situations, you can train your emotional dog to become a PSD.
The difference between a PSD and an ESA is that a PSD must be trained to perform tasks related to the handler’s disability. For example, this could include helping handlers retrieve their medications, offering pressure therapy during crisis, or support their daily activities.
Airlines Accepting Psychiatric Service Dogs
Airlines that fly to and from the US allow psychiatric service dogs on their flights. In addition, PSDs are allowed to board flights in the cabin free of charge if their owners submit the DOT’s Service Animal Transportation Form in advance.
You have to self-certify that your pet dog has been trained to perform tasks relating to a disability.
FAQs
Do airlines charge for emotional support dogs?
Emotional support animals do not travel fees. You are required to pay a pet fee to bring your emotional support animals into the cabin with you. The emotional support animals include dogs, cats, and other pets.
Can airlines ask for proof of service dog?
Every airline have its rules about flying service pets, and they may require: (1) a U.S. DOT form attesting to the animal’s health, behavior, and training; and. (2) a U.S. DOT form attesting that the animal can either not relieve itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner if the animal is on a flight that is eight or more hours.
Do airlines charge a pet fee?
Yes. You have to pay as much as $125 on American, Delta, and United Airlines. American and Delta charge $200 to check a pet, while rates vary for United.