Do I need an ESA letter to fly?

To fly with an emotional support animal on participating airlines, you will need an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. The LMHP will also need to fill out forms provided by the airline. Most airlines require that ESA documents be submitted at least 48 hours before departure.



As of 2026, the legal status of "Emotional Support Animals" (ESAs) in the United States and many other regions has changed significantly. Under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, airlines are no longer required to recognize ESAs as service animals. This means that an "ESA letter" from a licensed mental health professional does not grant your animal free cabin access or the right to fly outside of a carrier. If you wish to fly with your emotional support animal, they must now follow the airline's standard "pet-in-cabin" rules: they must be small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat, and you must pay the standard pet fee (typically $95-$150 per flight). The only exception is for "Task-Trained Service Dogs" (such as guide dogs or psychiatric service dogs), which still fly for free; however, these require a specific DOT attestation form, not an ESA letter. If you are flying internationally to the EU or the UK, the rules are even stricter, with almost all airlines only permitting "Recognized Assistance Dogs." In short, while an ESA letter is still a valid document for housing rights (under the Fair Housing Act), it has essentially lost its "power" in the aviation industry.

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