No Rabies vaccine No Fly now on AA for ESA
Apr 11, 19, 2:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: HHH , SAV
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 967
No Rabies vaccine No Fly now on AA for ESA
April 1st, AA just tightened their paper work , signed forms, needed to fly an ESA. Old Spot has been flying with my DW as a legit ESA, for 14 years. Since she is a small house dog, who is never more than 18 inches from my wife’s ankles, we’ve not continued to get her Rabies vaccines. She had a bad reaction to the last one, and our vet understands. However, I wouldn’t expect the Vet to sign the now necessary form.
It seems AA, Delta and United are out for Old Spot. Are any other domestic airlines ( Jet Blue, or SW) less strict on enforcement?
It seems AA, Delta and United are out for Old Spot. Are any other domestic airlines ( Jet Blue, or SW) less strict on enforcement?
Apr 11, 19, 3:21 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 43,614
AA, along with all other US carriers, specifically lists in detail the requirements for ESA travel.
- Veterinary Health Form, or vaccination record with current rabies vaccination information
Apr 11, 19, 5:40 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,118
Originally Posted by beachmiles
April 1st, AA just tightened their paper work , signed forms, needed to fly an ESA. Old Spot has been flying with my DW as a legit ESA, for 14 years. Since she is a small house dog, who is never more than 18 inches from my wife’s ankles, we’ve not continued to get her Rabies vaccines. She had a bad reaction to the last one, and our vet understands. However, I wouldn’t expect the Vet to sign the now necessary form.
It seems AA, Delta and United are out for Old Spot. Are any other domestic airlines ( Jet Blue, or SW) less strict on enforcement?
It seems AA, Delta and United are out for Old Spot. Are any other domestic airlines ( Jet Blue, or SW) less strict on enforcement?
Apr 11, 19, 11:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 1,760
You can try and get a waiver. California and most other states offers this, see https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...201320140AB272 on how to get one. See NY's waiver form as an example. If you have a blood titer test done that shows your dog being rabies-free with antibodies from prior vaccinations together with all the waiver paperwork, AA should rightfully continue to let her fly with them.
Last edited by bhomburg; Apr 11, 19 at 11:57 pm
Apr 12, 19, 12:42 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,118
Originally Posted by bhomburg
You can try and get a waiver. California and most other states offers this, see https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...201320140AB272 on how to get one. See NY's waiver form as an example. If you have a blood titer test done that shows your dog being rabies-free with antibodies from prior vaccinations together with all the waiver paperwork, AA should rightfully continue to let her fly with them.
"A dog that is exempt from the provisions of this section shall not have contact with a dog or cat that is not currently vaccinated against rabies."
As an owner can not control what other dogs are in the airport and some airlines accept puppies under 4 months who are unvaccinated, a strict interpretation might be that taking an exempt dog into that environment violates the section quoted above. Also keep in mind that waivers are at the discretion of the local authority, not automatically granted.
Apr 13, 19, 3:00 pm
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
Programs: Delta, AA, Marriott
Posts: 240
For ESDs AA will now call the doctor that wrote the note and they will decide if they will accept. I know several friends who used to take their dog and not allowed now. Also, the rabies shot is required for the airplane and all foreign countries - don't know about cargo
