Comments on: Which Airlines Are Still Allowing Emotional Support Animals?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:29:31 +0000

My cat is so much better trained than the majority of dogs that I saw on leashes freely walking through the airport, yet we were both under extreme stress and I had a panic attack not having her in my lap. She is 3 years old with 50,000 miles on her, and I recently had to put her in a carrier for the first time and shove her under a seat. She had zero issues at all prior to that last trip under the “new rule”, as she is well-behaved, trained, and calm, and is able to help me, by simply talking to me, nudging, and giving me random things from my bag. She never gets up without my permission. The only problem I’ve ever faced were bad dogs and judgy people. My cat walks on a leash past dogs completely unaffected, or just sits at my feet and watches their owner try to keep control. I’m heartbroken that they don’t have any exceptions for my exceptional cat. And this isn’t even about the fees. I would pay for the seat beside me, and all the fees, just to have her in my lap and not in a bag. It is so cruel and I will never put her through that again. I have, since then, driven 5 trips over 1000 miles each with her in my lap. That’s my “boycott”

By: Traci Richardson

Traci Richardson — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 17:22:14 +0000

I’m feeling some kind of way. I didn’t realize I haven’t traveled with my pet since 2021. So, when I booked my flight and called the airline (as I always do) to let them know I was traveling with my Support Animal I was informed about the change ~ I’ve read most of your comments however, I understand the reasoning behind the change was wrongful entitlement. Sad it has to happen, but people tend to take advantage of a GOOD situation because they want everything to go their way.

Some of us need our pet to comfort us when we aren’t quite right (in the mind), and it’s so unfair that others seek what’s best for themselves because they feel entitled to everything when it benefits them.

I will continue to travel with my pet ~ now in a bag and for a fee.

Life is too short to fight over what’s right and what’s wrong …. when YOU already know your wrong.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 03:03:59 +0000

Maybe if we all boycott airlines and they start losing money, then maybe they will reconsider changing the ESD ruling so our ESD dogs can sit on our laps. I have been flying for 11 years with my emotional support animal and he has sat on my lap throughout the whole flight without a peep or anything and I feel that it is discrimination to not allow him to sit on my lap because another dog might have been growling and barking.. it’s very cruel and inhumane to shove a dog under the seat in a carrier. We can no longer travel by ear due to this decision. I pray that there will be enough people not flying where the airlines will take note and perhaps revisit that ruling and change it back to the way it was

By: Leylanie Ocasio

Leylanie Ocasio — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 08:41:38 +0000

In reply to Susan Brown. Very helpful for me , great information . much blessings. and always let your voice be heard.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 03 May 2022 14:38:48 +0000

As far as I am concerned, this is discrimination against cats simply because service dogs, psychiatric or otherwise, are allowed in the cabin. A cat in a carrier under the seat is much less disruptive and than a dog on a lead and takes up no extra space.
I am willing to pay the fee, but now, airlines are not allowing small pets under the seat for flights to the UK. My cat will not survive in cargo. The last time we did that was quite traumatic for the both of us.

By: Susan Brown

Susan Brown — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 17:48:17 +0000

In reply to Kwlly. Make an effort to train your pet ….look up requirements for public access certification. If you are unwilling to expend the effort required, then that would be on you, not your pet. I have a “real” service dog , for deafness, and I am required to be recertification on a regular basis. If I don’t, I cannot present my dog as a service dog. In additional, I could have to surrender my dog. Guess you can figure out that I am diligent in maintaining her proper public behavior.

By: Maria N.

Maria N. — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:04:41 +0000

If you want to update your article, Recently, Flair Airlines and I believed Swoop as well both North American Airlines have stopped allowing ESA in the cabin.

By: Patty

Patty — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 05:38:29 +0000

In reply to Amy. You are so right Amy! I can no longer visit my family because I cannot travel without my ESA. She is 23 pounds and she’s just a little bit too big for the carrier which goes under the seat in front of me. With her I was guaranteed to be able to enjoy visiting my children and grandchildren and now I can’t see them and my heart is so sad and I am depressed. I am not able to drive far because of my anxiety so driving 18 hours is out of the question.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 15:16:18 +0000

In reply to Mercedes Maria Cascio.

I am on both sides of this scenario.
I am a registered nurse (retired now due to injury) with lifetime disability and have flown many, many times with a small dog in crate under seat. Also at one time worked in an allergy clinic so have a comment about that…
I also showed dogs in obedience years ago.
I agree with airlines regarding stopping open seated emotional support dogs (animals). The vast majority of these animals have poor manners due to people ‘just wanting to bring pet with them tree’s. ‘Emotional Support’ dogs that have bitten ppl on flight. Barking dogs. Snakes. Peacocks. Badly behaved animals usually have badly behaved owners.
Far too many supposed ESA are just a pet that a spoiled owner wants to ride for free.
A ‘Service Dog’ is a professionally trained dog that provides a specific physical task for a disabled owner. Not just passing a ‘Good Dog Canine Citizen’ test!
As for those of you complaining about animals on airplanes (and this info comes from the allergist I worked for): Allergens are EVERYWHERE-wether you are allergic to dogs, cats, whatever. Dander is on everyone. Even if they don’t own dog, cat, whatever. Hair, dander, pollen floats in the air from the animal, whatever is on owners clothes transfer to air which then lands on people, whatever is in area. So if you are the kind that complains “I don’t want that dog/cat/flower/whatever in the plane/store/wherever because I am allergic to it” is just an uneducated excuse. Allergens are everywhere- they are picked up and transferred in the air to fabrics and objects. Useless whining. Sorry but true.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 01:41:05 +0000

Why do things need to be canceled? Can’t we amend rules instead of throwing things away entirely? Last year, JetBlue had already made it that ESAs could only be a dog or cat, so peacocks, snakes, pigs and horses weren’t the issue. How about the requirement that your dog pass a special temperament screening? And how about separating the passengers with animals from the ones who are allergic &/or afraid? Because of covid, the planes have AMAZING cabin airflow and filtration.. why not use that in a way that makes sense? If you bring a dr’s note, you get seated toward the front of the plane. Shoot, they’ve been separating coach and business/first class for ever and no one has an issue with that. Look, I don’t like sitting in the back of the plane, but I’d do it happily if I could have my ESA with me