Which Airlines Allow Emotional Support Animals in 2026?

When you are traveling with pets, one of the important questions that arises is which airlines allow emotional support animals. It’s important to know the policies of the airline you’ll be flying. There are also guidelines for support dogs, as well. This blog post will provide an overview of the airline policies regarding ESAs, service dogs, and other airline requirements, so you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which airline to use for dog transportation.

The Key Regulation Change: Why ESAs Are Now Considered Pets

The landscape for traveling with Emotional Support Animals changed significantly in 2021. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revised its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations, narrowing the definition of a ‘service animal’ to only include dogs trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability.

As a result of this ruling, airlines are no longer required to recognize ESAs as assistance animals. This means that, for air travel purposes, ESAs are now considered standard service animals. Consequently, they are subject to the same rules, fees, and carrier requirements as any other pet traveling in the cabin or cargo.

The ‘ESA letters’ that were once common are no longer accepted by airlines as valid documentation for special accommodation. Travelers must now adhere to each airline’s specific pet policy, which often includes size and weight limits for in-cabin travel and standard pet fees.

Do ESA Dogs Have Different Rules Than Regular Pets?

Unfortunately, emotional support animals have been banned by most airlines. You can still bring them in the cabin if they are a small dog that fits in a carrier underneath your seat, but you’ll have to pay a pet fee. If you have a large dog, you may need to look for other options for animal transportation.

Flying with Service Dogs

All airlines accept trained service dogs and service animals on flights, which means they can travel in the cabin with you. If you have the proper documentation to prove that your dog is a trained service dog, then all is good to go. The fees are also waived for service animals on flights, too, which means you don’t have to worry about paying for your dog to be on the flight.

Ensure you have your Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and all vaccination documents with you, because that is a requirement for your dog to be on board.

Airline Requirements for Pet Travel

Breed

When it comes to breed, about 99% of breeds are accepted by all airlines, but if you are the unlucky 1% that have brachycephalic (or snub-nosed) dogs, like boxers, bulldogs, or pugs, they are not allowed on flights at all. The flight poses a significant health risk to your dog.

Weight and Size

The weight and size of your dog (or pet in general) will determine whether they can go in the cabin. If you have a small dog that can fit inside a carrier under the seat in front of you, then you are in luck. The fee is usually between $90 and $125 for a one-way ticket.

If the dog cannot fit under the seat in front of you — for example, large dogs like golden retrievers or Doberman pinschers — it is seen as a checked pet and will be required to go in the cargo hold. This will increase the cost substantially. Keep in mind that only a few airlines allow pets in the cargo hold for domestic flights, and they are: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. American Airlines Cargo accepts large dogs, too, but this is a different program from checked luggage.

What If My Pet is Disruptive?

Regardless of whether your animal was previously an ESA as a pet, it must be well-behaved throughout the travel process. Airline staff and flight crews have the authority to refuse boarding or take action during a flight if an animal is disruptive.

• Disruptive behavior includes excessive barking or whining, growling, lunging, biting, or urinating/defecating in the cabin.
• Your pet must remain inside its approved carrier, stowed under the seat in front of you, for the entire flight.
• If your pet becomes disruptive, the flight crew may ask you to soothe it, and if the behavior continues, they can take further action.
• In rare, serious instances, an airline could require you to deplane or deny transport on a connecting flight. To prevent this, ensure your dog is comfortable with its carrier well before your travel date, exercise them before heading to the airport, and avoid feeding them a large meal right before the flight.

Airline-Approved Pet Carriers

There are two types of carriers that you must consider when buying them. Most airlines do not allow dogs in cargo, and so the pet carrier that you must buy must be small enough that it will fit under the seat in front of you. All airlines mandate that the pet carrier be ventilated on all sides as well. These carriers usually cost around $100.

Unlike Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, which only allow pets to fly in the cabin, pet-friendly airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines do allow domestic checked pets (not just dogs and cats) in their flights. These larger crates can run up to about $200, and there are pet carrier size requirements that you must follow.

Pet Cargo Crate Requirements

• Your pet should be able to stand up, turn around in the crate, and ensure they do not touch the top.
• The pet carrier should have secure locking with pins that extend past the extrusions above and below the door. The pins should be hardware instead of plastic fasteners.
• The crate should be ventilated on all sides.
• The crate should have your pet’s name and your contact information.
• Water and food bowls need to be attached to the door and accessible from outside the crate.

What is the Cost of Flying with a Dog?

We’ve come to the juicy part of the article. The cost of flying with a dog is fairly simple. Most airlines, if you are traveling in the main cabin, usually have a pet fee between $90 and $200 one way domestically. Internationally, the fee goes up.

For airlines that do allow checked pets (or for international flights), cargo hold tickets usually range from $500 to $1000. As mentioned above, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines are much more affordable with $225 and $100 pet fees, respectively. You will also have to invest in a durable, long-lasting carrier that airlines require. Furthermore, Alaska Airlines allows a diverse selection of pets, not just cats and dogs.

It should be noted that most airlines allow pets in the cargo hold for international flights. If you’re traveling with a pet to France, you’re good to go.

Airline-by-Airline ESA and Pet Policies in 2026

American Airlines: pointer align-baseline”>American Airlines no longer recognizes emotional support animals (ESAs) as service animals. ESAs must travel as pets and follow standard pet policies. Small pets may fly in-cabin for a fee if they fit under the seat; larger animals must go as cargo.

United Airlines: United Airlines requires ESAs to travel as pets. Only trained service dogs qualify for special accommodations. Pet fees and carrier restrictions apply.

Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines allows small cats and dogs in-cabin for a set fee. ESAs are treated as regular pets, not service animals.

Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines only recognizes trained service dogs. ESAs must comply with pet travel rules and fees.

Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines permits small pets in-cabin but no longer accepts ESAs as service animals.

Can You Fly with an ESA on International Flights?

International travel with an ESA is much more complex. Most airlines—including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—do not recognize ESAs at all, especially on international routes. Your animal will be treated as a pet and must meet all destination country requirements.

These may include quarantine rules, import permits, vaccination records, and microchipping. Some countries have strict bans or long quarantine periods, making travel impractical. Always check both airline and destination country regulations well in advance. In many cases, ground transport within the same country is far simpler and less stressful.

Do Airlines Charge for Emotional Support Animals?

Yes. Since ESAs are no longer classified as service animals, airlines charge standard pet fees. For example, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines typically charge around $95–$125 each way for in-cabin pets.

Larger animals traveling as cargo can cost $500–$1,000 or more, depending on size and distance. Additional costs may include airline-approved crates and documentation. These fees make flying with a former ESA significantly more expensive than it used to be when ESA accommodations were free.

What Documentation Do You Need to Fly with a Pet (Former ESA)?

Since ESAs are now treated as pets, an ESA letter is no longer sufficient for air travel. Airlines like Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines require standard pet documentation instead.

This typically includes:

• A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian ($50–$300)
• Proof of vaccinations
• Airline-specific forms (if applicable)

Only trained service dogs require U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) forms. Always confirm requirements with your airline before departure to avoid last-minute issues.

Alternatives to Flying with Your ESA

If your ESA can’t fly—or the costs and restrictions are too high—ground transport is a practical alternative. Platforms like CitizenShipper connect you with vetted drivers who provide door-to-door service.

Ground transport avoids airline fees, cargo risks, and strict size limitations. It’s also often more affordable, especially for larger pets or long distances. Plus, your pet stays in a more controlled, less stressful environment throughout the journey. For many pet owners, this option offers the best balance of cost, safety, and convenience.

Which Airlines Allow Emotional Support Animals?: The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, the Department of Transportation classified emotional support animals as pets in 2021. That means airlines only allow trained service dogs on airplanes in the United States. While there are ways to travel with your furry friends, classifying them as an emotional support animal is no longer a viable strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do airlines still allow emotional support animals (ESAs) in 2026?

No. Since the U.S. Department of Transportation updated its regulations in 2021, airlines are no longer required to recognize emotional support animals. ESAs are now treated as regular pets and must follow standard pet travel rules and fees.

2. Are service dogs allowed on airplanes?

Yes. All U.S. airlines must allow trained service dogs to fly in the cabin free of charge. Service dogs must be trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability and meet documentation and behavior requirements.

3. Can I bring my ESA dog in the cabin if it’s small?

Yes, but it will be treated as a pet, not a service animal. If your dog fits in an airline-approved carrier under the seat, you can bring it in the cabin and pay the standard pet fee (usually $90–$200 one way).

4. What happens if my pet is disruptive during a flight?

Airlines can deny boarding or take action if a pet is aggressive, barking excessively, or not properly contained. Pets must remain in their carrier during the flight, and disruptive animals may be removed or denied future transport.

5. What is the difference between an ESA and a service dog?

A service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, such as guiding a blind person or alerting to seizures. An emotional support animal provides comfort through companionship but has no task-specific training. Under U.S. airline rules since 2021, only service dogs receive free cabin access. ESAs are treated as standard pets.

6. Can emotional support animals fly internationally?

International ESA rules vary by airline and destination country. Most foreign airlines also treat ESAs as pets, but some (particularly in Europe and Asia) have different size limits and documentation requirements. You will need a health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and you may need to meet the destination country's import requirements. Check with your specific airline and the destination country's agriculture department.