The Bottom Line:
- Does Frontier Airlines Still Accept ESA Letters? - Frontier Airlines does not accept ESA letters as proof that your ESA is a service dog. ESAs that are not service dogs can only fly as pets.
- What is a PSD Letter? - PSDs may travel on Frontier as service dogs. A PSD letter confirms that your dog is a PSD.
- How Do You Get a PSD Letter? - You must work with a licensed mental health professional in your state to get a PSD letter.
- How Do You Qualify for a PSD Letter? - You must make an appointment to be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional in your state and that professional must determine that you qualify.
- How to Get Started? - Take the Pettable 3-minute quiz to get matched with a licensed mental health professional in your state.
Are you planning to fly with your emotional support animal or psychiatric service animal on Frontier Airlines? If so, you should be aware of recent changes to the law and the Frontier Airlines emotional support animal policy. They may affect your trip.
You will need an official letter to travel with your animal. You can complete the PSD quiz online in three short minutes.
Recent Changes to Frontier Airlines ESA Policy
Effective January 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation uses revised Air Carrier Access Act regulations. Before the ACAA revision, airlines gave emotional support animals the same status as psychiatric service animals. A service animal is defined as a dog with the training to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. Under the new rules, ESAs are no longer recognized as service animals.
As of February 1, 2021, Frontier will no longer accept emotional support animals onboard. You may still have the opportunity to travel with your animal, depending on your circumstances and situation. To be sure, it’s best to communicate with Frontier about your specific circumstances to determine if they will allow you to fly with your support animal or not.
If you have a psychiatric service dog, though, don't worry. Although the Frontier Airlines ESA policy has changed to reflect DOT rules, you can still fly with a PSD. A PSD is a type of service dog trained to work for someone with a mental or emotional disability. ESAs are not qualified as service dogs because they are not individually trained for specific tasks to assist the owner.
Contact Pettable to get your official PSD letter from a trusted therapist.
How to Fly with Your Psychiatric Service Dog on Frontier Airlines
People who want to bring a service dog on Frontier Airlines must fill out and turn in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Service Animal Air Transportation Form. This document verifies the dog's training, behavior and health.
If you reserve your flight more than 48 hours before traveling, you must submit your completed form at least 48 hours before your flight. And if you book your flight less than 48 hours before your trip, the completed form must be presented in person to a customer service agent when you arrive at the airport.
The Frontier Airlines service dog policy stipulates that a single passenger with a disability is limited to two service dogs. A service dog must also be able to behave appropriately in public. Service animals that engage in disruptive behavior can be denied entry on the plane.
Some examples of disallowed behavior include:
- Excessive barking, growling, or whining
- Lunging or biting
- Eliminating waste in the cabin area
Your dog must always be under your control at the airport and on the plane. This means you must have your trained service animal on a leash, harness, or tether at all times.
Service animals traveling with you must have completed training. A dog still receiving instruction is not accepted.
Federal safety regulations require the service dog to occupy a space that doesn't disturb other passengers or interfere with evacuation in an emergency, So customers traveling with service animals cannot sit in exit rows. Service dogs should remain in their carriers for their safety.
Federal safety regulations require the service dog to occupy a space that doesn't disturb other passengers or interfere with evacuation in an emergency. Customers traveling with service animals cannot sit in exit rows. Service dogs are allowed to sit on the customer's lap, as long the animal is no bigger than a 2-year-old child. The dog can also sit on the floor at the traveler's feet.
For international flights, it is your responsibility to research and comply with your destination's service animal laws and requirements.
How to Get Your Legitimate Psychiatric Service Dog Letter with Pettable
Getting your PSD letter is a simple and quick process. It starts with a 3-minute assessment of your needs. Our licensed medical professionals will use the 3-minute assessment to determine what your specific needs and concerns are and if you would benefit from the presence of a psychiatric service dog in your life. Our quiz can also serve as an educational tool that helps you understand PSD letters. This quiz will help doctors determine whether a psychiatric service dog fits your needs. You can complete the PSD quiz online in three short minutes.
After completing some privacy and consent forms, Pettable's team will use the results of your assessment to match you with a therapist in your state. You will have the opportunity to speak with a therapist about your concerns and mental health challenges. They will complete a mental health evaluation to determine whether a PSD will benefit you or not.
You can receive your official PSD letter within 24 hours of approval. If you need a professional to speak to your landlord, we have therapists available anytime. We also assist with any additional forms other entities need you to complete. This PSD letter is an official, doctor-approved statement that your mental well-being improves with the presence of your psychiatric service dog.
It’s important to us that this official PSD letter meets your needs. In the unlikely event that your PSD letter does not work for you, we will provide a 100% refund.
What Is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)?
The DOT's Air Carrier Access Act protects air travelers with disabilities. Under the law, passengers with disabilities have rights, and airlines have obligations.
Airlines may not refuse to transport a customer based on disability unless carrying the passenger would be harmful to the flight's safety. This includes transporting a passenger's trained service animal.
According to the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021, which was introduced in March of 2021, protections of the ACAA were expanded to prohibit discrimination against disabled individuals by an air carrier. The bill lists specific actions that an air carrier must take or must not take concerning a disabled individual.
Emotional Support Animals Under the ACAA
In 1986, Congress enacted the Air Carrier Access Act, prohibiting airlines from discrimination based on disability. Afterward, members of the disability community and airline representatives participated in a lengthy rulemaking process and negotiation period. The DOT issued a final ACAA rule in 1990. It has amended the rule many times for guidelines such as:
- Boarding assistance
- Reimbursement for wheelchair damage or loss
- Seating accommodations
- Modifications to ensure nondiscrimination
- Accessibility standards for terminals
The ACAA revision on service animals addresses a few concerns. The DOT acknowledges that while some individuals need emotional support animals, the ESAs are often not trained to perform specific tasks. Airline carriers and service animal advocacy groups were concerned about their status as service animals. They also indicated that the emotional support animal policy opened the door to people abusing access by bringing pets on board flights under the guise of being an ESA.
The current ACAA guidelines are designed to reduce the likelihood of policy abuse. Only dogs are allowed as psychiatric service animals on planes, and they must meet training guidelines. Individuals must have a diagnosed mental or emotional disorder, and airlines are permitted to request supporting documentation. Psychiatric service dogs must also behave appropriately in public.
What Is the Difference Between an Emotional Support Animal and a Psychiatric Service Dog?
Many people, both with and without disabilities, get emotional support from dogs and other animals. These animals don't need to have special training to provide comfort. Through companionship, emotional support animals give their owners a sense of calm, security, or well-being. Emotional support animals provide a level of comfort that can lower your heart rate, reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, and lower blood pressure.
Psychiatric service dogs are different; their primary role is not emotional support. They are specifically trained to do two things. The first is to respond to their owner. They perform tasks or do work that relates directly to a person's psychiatric disability. PSDs can help their owners do things they otherwise cannot do. These tasks can include medication retrieval, room checks, or medication reminders.
The second thing a trained service animal must do is recognize when an owner needs help. Therefore, if a dog is not trained to recognize the owner's need for assistance and respond based on the disability of a qualified individual, it is technically not a trained service animal. Because of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021, airlines cannot discriminate against the rights and medical needs of any disabled person.
Frontier Airlines Service Dog Policies
Like other airline companies, Frontier Airlines has a policy for service dogs. If you need help or have questions for Frontier Airlines about their PSD policy, you can call 801-401-9004 or fill out the Contact Us form.
Frontier Airlines Required Documentations
Frontier Airlines requires passengers traveling with service dogs to fill out and submit the DOT's Service Animal Air Transportation Form. This form vouches for the service dog's behavior, training, and health.
Advanced Notice
Passengers must submit the DOT's Service Animal Transportation Form no later than 48 hours before travel. If passengers book a flight less than 48 hours before the trip, they must present the completed form to a customer service agent in person upon reaching the airport.
Passengers can upload the completed form here. If you need further assistance, you can call 801-401-9004 or fill out the Contact Us form.
Booking and Flying Policies
You must notify Frontier Airlines that you intend to fly with a PSD. Customers can select trained service animal special requests during booking. If a dog does not meet the requirements, it may be eligible to travel as a pet.
Other Frontier Airlines Pet Policies to Know
If you're booking a flight, it helps to know Frontier Airlines’ pet policy. Frontier Airlines allows travelers to fly with pets. However, there are certain restrictions on animals permitted in the cabin. Keep in mind that the Air Carrier Amendments Act of 2021 expands provisions prohibiting discrimination against disabled individuals by any air carrier.
The Air Carrier Amendments Act of 2021 also requires the DOT to ensure that disabled individuals who travel by airline can file complaints with the DOT if they have experienced any sort of disability-related discrimination. The DOT will assist anyone in need through a hotline.
Frontier Airlines Pet Fees
Frontier Airlines charges a one-way, directional fee of $99 for pets. You can pay in advance while booking or during the pet's check-in.
Frontier Airlines Breed Restrictions
The ACAA prohibits airlines from refusing to transport a service animal solely based on breed.
Domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds are allowed on domestic flights. Domesticated cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old.
Frontier Airlines never allows large birds, rodents, beavers, ferrets, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, or insects. Plan to keep your animal in a pet carrier to ensure it stays safe throughout the flight.
Frontier Airlines Pet Carrier Size Requirements
The maximum size for a pet carrier on Frontier Airlines is 18" length x 14" width x 8" height. It must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down in a natural position. And it must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Certain seats on the plane may not be large enough to fit your animal carrier, but the airline will work with you to make sure you get a seat assignment with plenty of space. In addition to the carrier, you can bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag.
Frontier Airlines Travel Requirements
Frontier Airlines has policies for domestic and international flights with pets. For safety reasons, your pet must stay in its carrier while on the flight.
Domestic
Pets are permitted in the cabin on all Frontier Airlines domestic flights. While the airline does not require a health certificate for pets while flying within the United States, the state in which you are landing may require a certificate.
International
Pets are allowed in the cabin on international flights to and from the Dominican Republic and Mexico. A health certificate is required for international flights. Each country may have vaccination requirements.
US Inbound
Your pet's health certificate must be dated within 10 days of entry into the United States.
Pettable's Tips on How to Fly with Your ESA and Psychiatric Service Dogs
Pettable wants to help you enjoy your journey with your PSD or pet. It helps to keep a few tips in mind as you plan your flight.
Contact Frontier Airlines in Advance
Contacting Frontier Airlines as soon as possible gives you ample time to ask questions, complete the DOT's Service Animal Transportation Form, submit it, get your dog's required vaccinations, and complete health certificates. Frontier Airlines will also give you more information about how much carry-on baggage you can have in addition to your animal.
You can speak with Frontier Airlines about any additional fee you may need to pay for extra luggage or whatever you may need before traveling. Other airlines may have different rules, so it's best to check with Frontier Airlines specifically.
Avoid Feeding Your Dog Before the Flight
Frontier Airlines recommends that you avoid giving your pet food or water at least four hours before or during your flight. This step can help your dog avoid having a sick stomach while flying. You should plan and calculate when you can feed your dog after your flight to decide when you should feed them well before your flight.
Keep Your Dog Under Control
Keep your PSD calm and under control. Resist the urge to play with or show off your dog. Other passengers may feel uncomfortable flying with an animal, even a trained service dog. Be courteous of others. It may be easier to travel with properly trained animals, but Frontier Airlines requires all animals to remain in their carriers for their safety.
To make sure you have the proper documentation to fly with your animal, you can complete the PSD quiz online in three short minutes.
FAQ
You may have many questions about flying with your PSD, especially if you have never done so. Frontier Airlines has a Special Services page that outlines its policies on trained service animals and ESAs.
Do service dogs fly for free on Frontier Airlines?
Yes, PSDs fly at no charge.
Does Frontier Airlines allow ESA dogs?
The Frontier Airlines ESA policy follows the DOT's policy change. Your ESA may be allowed to travel as a pet.
Can Frontier Airlines deny my ESA?
Yes, the DOT's policy states that emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals. This means the airline can legally deny your request. However, you may be able to bring your ESA as a pet.
Which airlines are still allowing ESA dogs?
With the change in DOT policy, you may be wondering which airlines allow ESA animals. Some international airlines may allow ESA dogs. Due to the DOT's current policy, most domestic airlines have stopped accepting ESAs.
Can my dog sit on my lap during a Frontier Airlines flight?
For safety reasons, your animal must remain in its carrier while on the flight.
Do airlines check pet carrier size?
Many airlines will not likely pull out their measuring tape to make sure your animal’s crate is the right size, but you will want to measure it to know if it will fit on the plane.
How do you fly with an animal that doesn’t fit under your seat?
Your animal will need to stay in its carrier throughout the flight. You will need to check with individual airlines to learn more about their policies for larger animals. Some airlines will allow you to rent a carrier or kennel that fits on the airplane, but the kennel must meet the requirements to be airline approved.
Does my animal’s travel crate count as a carry-on item?
Yes. When traveling with Frontier, you will be allowed to have one carry-on or one personal item in addition to the travel crate used by your animal. You will have to pay an additional fee if you travel with a carry-on bag instead of choosing to travel with a personal item.
How do I know if my pet carrier is airline approved?
Typically, airlines require that pet crates have a waterproof bottom and adequate ventilation, and they must be the proper size that the airline requires.
