United Airlines ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Policy

Key Takeaways

• Does United Airlines Accept Emotional Support Animals (ESA)?

Like most major airlines, United Airlines no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals. ESAs are now treated as standard pets and must adhere to the airline’s pet policies and fees.

• Does United Airlines Accept Psychiatric Service Dogs?

Yes, United Airlines accepts psychiatric service dogs as legitimate service animals. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that assist individuals with psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression. These dogs can fly free of charge, but travelers must provide the required documentation, such as a completed DOT Service Animal Air Transportation form, and may need to give advance notice to the airline before their flight.

• Do Service Dogs Fly for Free?

All service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, that meet United Airlines’ requirements can fly at no additional cost.

• How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog:

To get a psychiatric service dog, the dog must be trained to perform specific tasks that assist with your disability. If already have a dog, the professionals at ServiceDogTrainingSchool can help you to train your own dog to be the ideal service dog to meet your needs.

• How to Qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog: 

To qualify for a psychiatric service dog, you must have a diagnosed mental or emotional disability, such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder.

• How to Get Started:

Get started by taking the simple SDTSI online PSD training assessment to see if you qualify, and enroll in the Psychiatric Service Dog Training Course to train your own dog.

Can Emotional Support Animals Fly on United Airlines?

Per the airline’s policy, ESAs are considered pets and its relevant pet policy will apply to them. This means that ESAs are accepted on the airline as pets but are not viewed as service dogs with special rights.

Here are some important things to consider when flying with your Emotional Support Animal or pet (whether a dog or cat): 

• The airline will no longer let you check your pets through the PetSafe program or fly pets in cargo unless you are traveling as active-duty military or with the State Department.       
• Only dogs and cats are accepted and they need to fly with their owners in the passenger cabin if there is available space.
• The maximum number of pets allowed per person is 2. However, if you intend to fly with two pets, you will need to buy two seats (the second of which must be next to your assigned seat).

The airline specifies that some countries do not allow pets so based on your destination, bring your dog or cat may not be possible. It is highly recommended to check local laws in advance.

What Is the Difference Between Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Dogs?

While both types of support dogs provide comfort and companionship, Psychiatric Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, PTSD, schizophrenia, etc.

In other words- service dogs do specific work.

Another important difference between Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals is that Service Animals can be dogs only, while emotional support animals can be all types of domesticated species, including cats, parrots, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.

The main differences between the two types of animals result in differences in their access rights, including on a plane. As explained in the previous paragraph, ESAs are treated as pets, while service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, are viewed as a medical necessity.

Crate Requirements for Pets/ESAs

Based on the information on the airline’s website, there are no breed or weight limitations for pets. However, they are required to be transported in a hard- or soft-sided carrier. Make sure your carrier meets the airline’s requirements as you will need to put it under your seat and ensure it fits.

The requirements for hard-sided carriers are as follows:

1. Height: 9 in / 22 cm;

2. Length: 17.5 in / 44 cm;

3. Width: 12 in / 30 cm.

The requirements for soft-sided carriers are as follows:

1. Height: 11 in / 27 cm;

2. Length: 18 in / 45 cm;

3. Width: 11 in / 27 cm.

Fees for Traveling with Your Pet/ESA?

If you will be flying with your pet and have purchased your ticket before Apr. 26th, 2024, a fee of $125 will apply for each way. A fee of the same amount will also apply for each layover if it is longer than 4 hours (for flights within the US) and more than 24 hours if you are flying internationally.

If you will be flying with your pet and have purchased your ticket after Apr. 26th, 2024, a fee of $150 will apply for each way

Where Can You Fly With Your Pet/ESA?

United Airlines specifically states on its website that as long as the country of destination allows pets, you will be able to fly with your pet on any flights operated by United or United Express.

For international flights, you will need to add your pet/ESA to your booking and call the airline at 1-800-864-8331. Remember to also contact any airline’s affiliates you may be flying, as each airline has its own policy.

What Countries Do Not Allow Pets/ESAs?

According to the airline’s policy, you won’t be allowed to fly with your pet/ESA to, from, or through the following countries/states:    

• Australia
  
• Barbados
  
• Brazil
  
• Cuba
  
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
  
• Guam*
  
• Guyana
  
• Hawaii
  
• Hong Kong  
  
• Iceland
  
• Ireland
  
• Jamaica
  
• Marshall Islands
  
• Micronesia, Federated States of
  
• New Zealand
  
• Palau
  
• Philippines
  
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
  
• South Africa
  
• Sweden
  
• Trinidad and Tobago
  
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
  
• United Kingdom

* It is important to note that you will be allowed to bring your pet/ESA on flights from Guam to Tokyo-Narita or to the US mainland. However, you will be prohibited from bringing your pet/ESA on flights back to Guam. Per the airline’s policy, pet travel from Guam to the US mainland is considered international.

Does United Airlines Accept Psychiatric Service Dogs?

United Airlines accepts Psychiatric Service Dogs and other types of service animals that provide support to individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive, or other health conditions that require assistance.

Do Psychiatric Service Dogs Fly Free of Charge?

Service Dogs, including Psychiatric Service Dogs, can fly for free as long as they meet certain requirements.

Handlers are allowed to fly with up to two service dogs for free.

How to Fly with a Psychiatric Service Dog on United Airlines?

You should keep in mind that there are two parts to the process:

- booking your trip;

- choosing the right seat on the plane.

Booking Your Trip When Flying with Psychiatric Service Dogs Domestically

If you have decided to bring your Service Dog, including a Psychiatric Service Dog, to the passenger cabin, the first thing to do is to contact the airline and inform them about your decision.

If you will be flying domestically, you can proceed one of the following ways:

- Select the service dog option when entering your traveler information while booking your ticket.

- Select the option to add a service dog when viewing your trip after you have already booked your ticket.

Booking Your Trip When Flying with Psychiatric Service Dogs Internationally (Including to Hawaii and Guam)

Due to the destination-specific regulations for flying with service animals, the airline requires service dog handlers to contact their accessibility desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add their service dog to their trips.

Choosing the Right Seat on the Plane

There are certain requirements you need to meet when flying with a service dog and choosing your seat! These are:    

• Your dog should remain in a sitting position in the floor space in front of your seat. Remember that your service dog won’t be allowed on the aisle or the floor space of the passengers next to you.

• You won’t be allowed to sit in an exit row with your service dog.

• You have the right to transport your service dog in a carrier, as long as it meets the airline’s size requirements (these are explained in the paragraph “Crate Requirements for Pets/ESAs” above).

Documentation Required for Flying with a Service Dog

Service dog handlers need to fill out a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form and a United States Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Form for flights longer than 8 hours.

The forms require information about the dog such as their weight and breed, behavior, training, and health, as well as vet details.

These forms can be completed and signed either online (for passengers with a MileagePlus® account) and added to their flights or completed through the links on the airline’s website that lead to a PDF file of the DOT form.

An essential thing to remember is to print the forms and keep them with you at the airport and on the plane.

Please note that you won’t be able to complete the forms electronically if you will be flying internationally (including to Hawaii and Guam). In such cases, you will be required to print them and carry them with you during your trip.

What Countries Won’t You Be Allowed To Bring Your Dog/Service Dog From to the US?

Dogs, including service dogs, are not allowed into the US if they travel from countries considered at high risk for rabies. Based on the information listed on the airline’s website, these are:    

• Belize
  
• Brazil
  
• Colombia
  
• China
  
• Dominican Republic
  
• Ecuador
  
• El Salvador
  
• Ghana
  
• Guatemala
  
• Guyana
  
• Honduras
  
• India
  
• Israel
  
• Jordan
  
• Morocco
  
• Nigeria
  
• Peru
  
• Philippines
  
• South Africa
  
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

However, United Airlines specifies that you will be allowed to re-enter the US from those countries if your service dog has been vaccinated in the US by a licensed veterinarian and comply with certain requirements. These are:

-They must have a rabies vaccination certificate issued in the US;

-The dog must have proof of a microchip;

-The dog is at least 6 months old;

-The dog is healthy upon arrival;

-The dog arrives at an approved port of entry.

In case, your service dog does not fulfill the requirements listed above, you have another option — to apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, which must be done at least 6 weeks before your departure. Otherwise, your dog won’t be allowed into the US.

New Requirements for Entering the US with a Dog/Service Animal

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented new regulations that took effect on August 1, 2024. All dogs who enter the US will need additional documentation.

Dogs will not be allowed to enter the US if they are not vaccinated against rabies and have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months.

You might review the requirements for dogs who have been in a country with a low risk for rabies/country with a high risk of rabies in the last 6 months and prepare the needed documentation.

How To Get a Psychiatric Service Dog

If you need a service dog, including a Psychiatric Service Dog, you have the following options available:

Getting a Fully Trained Service Dog

Many organizations and trainers specialize in training service dogs, including puppy training, basic obedience, and task-specific training. This process typically takes around two years and can cost $30,000-$40,000.

These trained dogs come with the advantage of being pre-evaluated, potty-trained, and skilled in specialized tasks. However, the high cost and lack of personal involvement in the dog's early training can be drawbacks.

Additionally, there are often long waiting lists, especially with non-profits, which can range from one to several years.

Training Your Dog with an Organization or Trainer

A more affordable option is to have your dog trained by a school or trainer. However, it still can be costly. Costs usually vary based on the program's length, location, and reputation, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.

This option allows for personal involvement through group or individual classes but may come with disadvantages such as limited attention in group settings and a fixed training schedule.

Owner/Self-Training

This choice has become very popular among dog owners who need their paw friends’ assistance, as it is flexible and cost-effective. Additionally, it allows you to bond with your dog.

Structured, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow training programs, that offer full tutor support, can guide you. However, remember that the process requires time, effort, and patience. If you’re committed and persistent, and your paw friend is healthy and has the right temperament for the job, training might succeed!

Get Your PSD Training Now

 
Train Your Dog as a Psychiatric Service Dog Through Service Dog Training School International

If you think you will benefit from the assistance of your paw friend as a Psychiatric Service Dog, you are welcome to enroll in our Psychiatric Service Dog Training Course.

It includes various tasks that can benefit you in your daily life such as Deep Pressure Therapy, tactile stimulation (i.e. nose-nudging at you, giving a kiss), preventing emotional overload, crowd control, interrupting repetitive behaviors, finding an exit and guiding you to a safe place, alerting to anxiety, reminding you to take medication, and retrieving items.

Basic obedience training and good manners in public are also included to help ensure your future service dog will have impeccable manners both at home and in public.

To feel comfortable during training, you will be able to contact an assigned tutor and a team of trainers for guidance.

After course completion, you will receive a certificate and your dog will be registered with us.

While service dog registration and certification are not mandatory in many countries, including the US and the UK, they can be particularly helpful in public. Unfortunately, there are many untrained dogs whose owners falsely present them as service dogs, only to ensure they are granted public access.

Documentation as proof of training can always come in handy when visiting public places with your service dog!

Psychiatric Service Dog Letter- Do You Need One to Fly With Your PSD?

If you are flying domestically, you are not likely to be required to provide such documentation.

According to BILLING CODE 4910-9X by the Department of Transportation:

“Most notably, psychiatric service animal users will no longer be required to provide a letter from a licensed mental health professional detailing the passenger’s need for the animal, nor will they be required to check in one hour before the check-in time for other passengers”.

However, if you are planning to travel internationally with a Psychiatric Service Dog, please check the airline’s requirements for the specific itinerary, as such a letter may be required.

The following article in our blog section may be beneficial to you: Psychiatric Service Dog Letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Fly a Service Dog and a Pet On United?

According to the airline’s policy, you can bring up to 2 service animals. Alternatively, you can bring one service dog and one pet. In the latter case, you need to meet certain requirements, which are: 

• Buy an extra seat next to you which will help accommodate both animals;
• Review and follow the airline’s service dog policy, including notifying its agents prior to departure and completing the required forms;
• Review and follow the airline’s pet policy, including keeping your pet in a crate and paying a pet fee.

How Old Service Dogs Must Be to Fly on United?

United and United Express permit service dogs, who are over 4 months old and are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability.

Are Service Dogs In Training Permitted on United?

The airline allows service dogs flying with their owners and service dogs in training flying with their trainers to fly for free.