FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Is an anxiety reducing dog a service animal (Merged) [Updated 2009]
Old May 22, 2009 | 11:23 pm
  #87  
AirlineDork
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 35,000 feet and hopefully seated up front.
Programs: UA 1k / SPG Gold / Hilton Gold / Regular peon for all other programs.
Posts: 183
Originally Posted by blairhm
Has anyone actually flown with an emotional support dog? I saw one last time I few, but I didn't get to ask the owner many questions b/c I was dealing with a crying baby. Can anyone describe what it was like to check in, go through security, take a dog on the plane?

Thank you!

I know someone who recently travelled on another major airline and I can only comment on their remarks shared with me, so please check with the airline you're travelling with -- since this is posted in the UA forum, I would guess you're probably flying on UA.

The feedback I received was that it was no different than travelling with a regular dog... except, you have to pre-arrange everything in advance with your booking (e.g. doctor's note on file at the airline, which will be verified by the airline, and your PNR is notated)... check in with an agent... and my friend got a printed copy of the PNR to show the Flight Attendants that the dog was a service dog, and therefore exempt from rules that other dogs would have to abide by (e.g. dog was allowed to sit at feet instead of in carrier under seat in front of pax). At the gate, identify yourself to gate agent so agent can brief the F/As and crew....

Again, this feedback is from the experience of someone on another major airline, so if you can check with the airline you're flying with, this info may (or may not) be quite similar.

Good luck!
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