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Old Oct 1, 2013, 6:31 pm
  #2  
LegalTender
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,508
Originally Posted by AZChick
Hi Everyone,

I will be flying with my dog who is also my emotional support animal. I read on the Southwest website that a letter from my therapist is needed in order for her to fly with me, which I of course will provide on my upcoming flight.

My question is-and this is for anyone who has also flown with an emotional support animal-can she sit on my lap during the flight or does she still have to be in a carrier underneath the seat in front of me?

I have been on multiple Southwest flights and have seen therapy dogs sitting on the laps of their owners, however, since she is an ESA and not a "therapy" dog, I don't know if the rules are different. It would be pointless to fly with her if I had to put her underneath the seat in front of me.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Likely depends on the size of the animal. While no dimensions or weights are specified, any ESA big enough that it "obstructs expeditious evacuation in the unlikely event of an emergency" would be disallowed in the lap.

You obviously realize it's the crew's call.

A 50 pound lab - and I dearly love labs - might constitute an obstruction.
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