The Bottom Line:
- Does JetBlue Still Accept ESA Letters? - No. ESAs are no longer considered support animals by Jetblue.
- What is a PSD Letter? - A psychiatric service dog letter is a legal document that confirms that you have been evaluated by a licensed mental health professional who has attested that you have a qualifying disability and are legally entitled to live with your PSD.
- How Do You Get a PSD Letter? - You must obtain your PSD letter from a licensed mental health professional in your state.
- How Do You Qualify for a PSD Letter? - You must consult with a licensed mental health professional in your state who will confirm that you have a disability that legally qualifies you to live with a PSD.
- āHow to Get Started? - Start by taking the Pettable 3-minute quiz so that we can match you with a licensed mental health professional in your state.
Traveling with a dog can be confusing. Different policies affect different animals when you travel. While service dogs are protected on all airlines, for example, emotional support animals are only protected on some of them. Dogs that don't fall under service animals or emotional support animals have still more guidelines to adhere to. Before you take your next flight, it's a good idea to have a strong understanding of the JetBlue ESA policy. In short, ESA animals are no longer accepted as travel companions on JetBlue. Only service dogs and psychiatric service dogs can travel under the USDOT's new guidelines.
Recent Changes to the JetBlue ESA Policy
The U.S. Department of Transportation released new guidelines that went into effect in January 2021. The guidelines state that emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals. However, the department still allows people to fly with psychiatric service animals and requires airlines to treat them the same as other service animals. The USDOT defines a service animal as a dog that is trained to perform tasks or do work for someone who has a disability.
- There are several other vital pieces of information outlined in the press release:
- The airline can limit the number of service animals to two per passenger.
- The airline can require the animal to fit within the handler's foot space on the airplane.
- The airline can require animals to be leashed or harnessed at all times.
- The airline can continue to refuse to transport animals that exhibit aggressive behavior.
- The airline can require a form that attests to the service animal's behavior, bathroom training, service animal training, and physical health.
- The airline can request that said forms be provided 48 hours in advance of travel.
- The airline can request that the traveler provide the DOT service animal form at the departure gate when traveling.
- The airline cannot refuse to transport a service animal solely because of its breed.
- Passengers with disabilities do not have to physically check in at the airport and are able to use the online check-in process if they so desire.
Passengers who need to obtain the required psychiatric service dog letter can begin the process on Pettable.
How To Fly With Your Psychiatric Service Dog on JetBlue
The first step to flying on JetBlue with a PSD is to understand the airline's policies for flying with service dogs. JetBlue only allows trained service dogs to fly on its aircraft. It does not accept service dogs in training and requires all animals to be leashed and under the control of the handler at all times.
Animals are not permitted to occupy seats on the aircraft, although their handlers may sit in any seat except the emergency exit row. Service animals must remain in the footprint of the seat or seats that the passenger has purchased. Alternatively, if the animal is small enough, it can sit on the passenger's lap but cannot touch any part of the seat, tray table, or nearby travelers. Large service animals may require additional space, so passengers must plan accordingly if they need to purchase additional seats.
Required Documentation for Service Animals
When flying with service animals on JetBlue, all required documentation must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. In addition to filling out and submitting the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Transportation form online, the passenger must also print out and carry a copy of the form on his or her person while traveling. Passengers who are traveling internationally may require additional documentation. It is the passenger's responsibility to know which forms are required on the aircraft and at his or her destination and to ensure those forms are filled out and available when necessary.
How To Get Your Legitimate Psychiatric Service Dog Letter With Pettable
Getting your legitimate psychiatric service dog letter from Pettable is easy. You can even do a free pre-screening first. Start by taking Pettable's three-minute assessment that asks you a few questions about why you need a psychiatric service dog. Once you complete the assessment, Pettable will match you to a professional therapist in your state who can help you evaluate your situation and get your PSD letter. You'll receive your letter within 24 hours of being approved and can submit it in addition to the USDOT form when traveling with your psychiatric service dog.
What Is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)?
Defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers who have disabilities. The main points of the DOT rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382) focus on the prohibition of discriminatory practices, the accessibility of facilities, other services and accommodations, and administrative provisions.
When it comes to service animals, airlines cannot refuse to transport people who have a disability. While they cannot require advance notice specifically because someone has a disability, an airline does have the option of requiring 48 hours' notice if someone is traveling with a service dog. Airline workers must undergo training for dealing with the traveling public, including those who are traveling with service animals.
Emotional Support Animals Under the ACAA
Under revisions to the ACAA in early 2021, emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The JetBlue ESA policy is to no longer allow them on their flights. Someone who previously traveled with an ESA will need to travel with a psychiatric service dog instead. JetBlue requires that all passengers traveling with service animals submit the proper documentation 48 hours before their flight. The JetBlue emotional support animal policy requires you to travel under pet guidelines.
What Is the Difference Between an Emotional Support Animal and a Psychiatric Service Dog?
While both emotional support animals and psychiatric service dogs have a goal of alleviating anxiety, depression, or other symptoms related to mental illnesses or mood disorders, there are some key differences between ESAs and PSDs. The most noticeable difference is their coverage under the Americans With Disabilities Act and the ACAA.
Under these acts, psychiatric service dogs are permitted to go into public establishments with their handlers. In addition to places such as restaurants, grocery stores, and doctor's offices, PSDs are also permitted to fly on airplanes. While emotional support animals are important in their own right, they do not have the specialized training required to allow them into public establishments or in the cabins of airplanes.
JetBlue's Service Dog Policies
Understanding and abiding by JetBlue ESA policy and PSD policy helps to make your travel arrangement go more smoothly.
JetBlue's Required Documents
To travel with a psychiatric service dog on JetBlue, download and complete the U.S. Department of Transportation's Service Animal Air Transportation form. Once completed, submit the forms at least 48 hours prior to traveling.
Passengers may travel with up to two trained service dogs but must complete a separate form for each dog. All fields on the form must be filled out, and a copy of each dog's form must be on your person when arriving at the airport, boarding your flight, and making transfers.
Additionally, those who are flying to high-risk countries require a CDC Dog Import Permit until further notice.
Advanced Notice
JetBlue requires passengers who are traveling with a psychiatric service dog to provide at least 48 hours advance notice. For reservations and other information regarding your flight, you can call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583). Hearing- and speech-impaired passengers can call 1-800-336-5530.
Other JetBlue Pet Policies
According to the JetBlue pet policy, small dogs and cats may travel in the cabin with their owners as long as they are in an FAA-approved carrier. Only one pet per passenger is permitted.
JetBlue's Pet Fees
The airline charges a pet fee of $125 each way. You may book your pets on the mobile app, online, or by contacting the airline. Only six pets are allowed per flight, so it is important to book early.
JetBlue's Breed Restrictions
While JetBlue does not appear to have any specific breed restrictions, the airline does reserve the right to turn away any animal who is exhibiting signs of aggression and poses a threat to staff members or other travelers.
JetBlue's Pet Carrier Size Requirements
Your pet and its carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. The carrier cannot exceed 17 inches long, 12.5 inches wide, or 8.5 inches high. The combined weight must not be more than 20 pounds.
JetBlue's Travel Requirements
JetBlue's passengers must adhere to guidelines for domestic and international flights, as well as US inbound travel guidelines.
Domestic
All domestic flights accept pets. Vaccination requirements vary by state. Those traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico must provide proof of vaccinations.
International
JetBlue does not fly pets to Barbados or Trinidad & Tobago, nor does it fly pets to and from London. In accordance with CDC guidelines, it cannot accept dogs or cats on flights to or from Colombia, Ecuador, or Peru.
US Inbound
Those traveling into the U.S. from high-risk areas must enter the country through JFK, which is a CDC-Classified Point of Entry for vaccinated pets.
Pettable's Tips on How To Fly With Your ESA and Psychiatric Service Dogs
Use these tips to make flying with your psychiatric service dog a breeze.
Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian
Take your dog to the veterinarian for a quick checkup. This also allows you to secure a copy of the animal's vaccinations in case you need them at any point during your trip.
Contact the Airline in Advance
Contact JetBlue to talk about your travel options as soon as you know that you'll be traveling with your PSD. This gives you plenty of time to fix any issues that might arise as well as ensures you don't become sidetracked and miss the 48-hour notice deadline.
Pack a Bag for Your Dog
Pack a bag for your dog a couple of days before you're meant to travel. In addition to its service vests, harnesses, and leashes, it needs tags and required identification cards.
Leave Early
Leave yourself plenty of time to check in so that you aren't rushing to your flight. This also gives you the potential opportunity to board early.
FAQ
Check here for answers to some of your most common questions.
Do Service Dogs Fly for Free on JetBlue?
JetBlue service dog policy states that service animals fly for free.
What Is the JetBlue ESA Policy?
JetBlue no longer allows dogs who act as emotional support animals to fly for free. You may still be able to bring your ESA but need to follow the airline's pet policies rather than its service dog policies.
Can JetBlue Deny My ESA?
Yes, JetBlue can deny your emotional support animal.
Which Airlines Are Still Allowing ESA Dogs?
In the United States, Mexico, and Canada, airlines that allow ESA animals include Latam Airlines, Volaris, and Westjet. Internationally, Air France still accepts all emotional support animals. Lufthansa accepts ESAs up to 8 kgs. China Airlines, KLM, AisanaAir, and Singapore Air all accept emotional support dogs, though restrictions do apply.
Can My Dog Sit on My Lap During a JetBlue Flight?
If your dog can fit completely on your lap while you are flying JetBlue, it can ride on your lap.
