Flying with a ESA (Dog) LHR-LAX
Mar 9, 2020, 6:24 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 205
Wonder if airlines are required to allow ESA's to the USA. Recently flew Norwegian and SAS with dog (different carriers each way) and had to read the rules regarding that. Dog was slightly over the weight limit, so could not bring it on board, unless it was an ESA of some sort traveling to or from the USA. Think both carriers said that, allowed to/from the USA, but nowhere else. Otherwise, if over the limit, had to be in the cargo hold.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:34 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
"
Mar 9, 2020, 6:37 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Oxford (&Western Isles )
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; RyanAir MillionMiler :( ;
Posts: 756
JFK and LAX security are full of ESAs. Mainly small dogs but I have seen cats and a rabbit. USA gone mad(er) I think there is a special lane at jfk, over on the far right.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:38 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 26
This ESA nonsense really puts me off flying in the US. I really hope BA doesn't succumb to this contagion and reverses allowing ESA - dogs on long haul flights. Genuine seeing/guide dogs of course are fine.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:48 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club - Silver (OWS)
Posts: 768
Mar 9, 2020, 6:49 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK/France
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, EY Plat, etc
Posts: 351
I am not a fan of Dogs in the cabin but understand that is not for me to decide.
LHR LAX is a long flight. Surely it makes more sense to break the journey at JFK or PHL out of consideration to the Dog and others?
LHR LAX is a long flight. Surely it makes more sense to break the journey at JFK or PHL out of consideration to the Dog and others?
Mar 9, 2020, 6:51 am
#37
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
I sincerely hope that one day BA does exactly as the same as Air France, Iberia, and Lufthansa so. That is to allow dogs or cats of under 5 or 6 kilos together with their travel box on flights with their owners. Why this service is not offered I cannot tell. You are not allowed to let the animal,out of the box and they usually allow only 2 per flight.
As for ESA animals, I do not know how you prove that any animal is an ESA unless it is with a Doctors letter.
As for ESA animals, I do not know how you prove that any animal is an ESA unless it is with a Doctors letter.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:53 am
#38
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
A flying laptop could kill somebody, but a flying labrador is perfectly fine.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:55 am
#39
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
Mar 9, 2020, 6:56 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 81
If my way off this mortal coil is courtesy of a high velocity flying labrador, I can think think of several worse ways to go!
Mar 9, 2020, 6:59 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Yes I was wondering that. Also in the event of a emergency evacuation a panicking animal I can well imaging causing a significant hazard.
Mar 9, 2020, 7:05 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: GCM
Posts: 1,009
It is not just guide dogs that are allowed anyware its service dogs. (in the USA minature horses are allowed) also service monkeys in some regions
These are the reconised service dogs categarys (there might be more)
Hearing dogs
Mobilty assistance dogs
Diabetic alert dogs
Seizure alert dogs
Seizure responce dogs
Psychiatric service dogs
Autism support dogs
FASD service dog (Fetal alcohol spectrum)
Allergy detection dog
Service dogs for veterans (PTSD)
Other kinds of working dogs, including therapy dogs and emotional support dogs are not classified as types of service dogs as they’re not trained to perform a specific task to help their handlers. In most jurisdictions, these kinds of dogs are not afforded the same privileges as service dogs.
However after all that ESD can do a great job if they are actually really trained and not just a family pet that a Dr has signed a form for. Service annimals often cost arount $40k+ to train and if there owner travels they will be trained for flights.
These are the reconised service dogs categarys (there might be more)
Hearing dogs
Mobilty assistance dogs
Diabetic alert dogs
Seizure alert dogs
Seizure responce dogs
Psychiatric service dogs
Autism support dogs
FASD service dog (Fetal alcohol spectrum)
Allergy detection dog
Service dogs for veterans (PTSD)
Other kinds of working dogs, including therapy dogs and emotional support dogs are not classified as types of service dogs as they’re not trained to perform a specific task to help their handlers. In most jurisdictions, these kinds of dogs are not afforded the same privileges as service dogs.
However after all that ESD can do a great job if they are actually really trained and not just a family pet that a Dr has signed a form for. Service annimals often cost arount $40k+ to train and if there owner travels they will be trained for flights.
Mar 9, 2020, 7:13 am
#45
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,478
/Mod hat on
The OP has come here seeking advice, not judgment. Please bear that in mind when responding. Personal opinions on the need or otherwise of ESAs are not particularly helpful here.
/Mod hat off
@Gaz1a, I don't think we're ever going to be able to claim - at least judging from the responses thus far - that there is a massive amount of expertise here. That said, perhaps you might let us know what breed of dog you'd like to take in the cabin. The arrangements/manageability for a poodle are going to be significantly different to that of an Alsatian, and it would help formulate responses for the Club cabin if we understood the size of the animal.
The OP has come here seeking advice, not judgment. Please bear that in mind when responding. Personal opinions on the need or otherwise of ESAs are not particularly helpful here.
/Mod hat off
@Gaz1a, I don't think we're ever going to be able to claim - at least judging from the responses thus far - that there is a massive amount of expertise here. That said, perhaps you might let us know what breed of dog you'd like to take in the cabin. The arrangements/manageability for a poodle are going to be significantly different to that of an Alsatian, and it would help formulate responses for the Club cabin if we understood the size of the animal.