What are the new rules for ESA on airlines?

  • This means only dogs can be accepted as service animals and can travel in a cabin. ...
  • Airlines would no longer be required to accept emotional support animals. ...
  • Allow carriers to require forms to attest to service animal's health, training and behavior.
  • All service dogs should be trained.




As of 2026, the era of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) flying for free in the cabin is effectively over on almost all major airlines. Following the 2021 DOT rule change, airlines now treat ESAs as standard pets. This means they must fit in an approved carrier under the seat, and you must pay the standard pet carry-on fee, which typically ranges from $100 to $150 each way. Only task-trained Service Dogs (including Psychiatric Service Dogs) are permitted to fly for free and outside of a carrier. For a dog to qualify as a Service Dog in 2026, you must submit the official DOT "Service Animal Air Transportation Form" at least 48 hours before departure, attesting to the animal's health, behavior, and specific training. Falsifying this form is a federal offense. Species other than dogs (and occasionally miniature horses on specific carriers) are generally no longer recognized as service animals for air travel.

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Yes, you can fly with a large ESA dog as long as the airline has no size restrictions. But each airline has its own rules about traveling with an ESA dog, so it's important to check with the airline you'll be flying with to find out if there are any size restrictions in the cabin of an airplane.

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Your ESA can still fly, just now as a pet. For domestic pets to fly in-cabin, there is a $125 service charge each way on United Airlines. If you have stopovers within the US for more than four hours, there may be an additional cost of $125.

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The airlines also apparently believe that ESA certification is a scam to avoid paying travel fees for pets. After nearly a year of debate, the DOT announced the rule revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act service animal rule “to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system.”

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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Prepare for fees No more free emotional support animals in the cabin means you should expect fees when bringing your pet. Alaska Airlines charges $100 each way. Traveling with an emotional support animal on United, Delta or American Airlines will cost you $125 each way.

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Can I buy my dog a seat on a plane? Most airlines do not allow passengers to buy their dogs a seat on a plane. However, depending on the dog's size and breed, as well as the specific airline's rules, you may be able to pay to have your dog fly with you in the cabin.

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If you find a dog, cat or turkey next to you on your next flight, it probably has a right to be there. If sitting so close doesn't work for you, let the flight attendants know—they will try to help.

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Measure your pet Your pet's measurements should be slightly smaller than the carrier measurements. If you need an extra bit of height, the SturdiBag carrier will give you that. The airlines will require that your pet can stand up and turn around comfortably in the carrier.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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The airlines will try to get you a bulkhead seat, but they don't always get you one. If at all possible, whenever you travel by air with a service dog, book a seat in First Class to give you and your service dog the maximum amount of space.

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Service animals are not pets. They are working animals that assist persons with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of service animals that can be on any flight. Service animals do not need any health certificates to travel and they do not need to be confined in a container or cage.

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