Traveling with a service animal can be stressful, especially if you aren’t sure about an airline’s specific policies regarding taking your service animal on board. JetBlue is one of the most popular airlines for domestic and international travel, and this airline does allow service animals to accompany their owner on board. Our article gives you all the details you need to know as you prepare to fly JetBlue with your service animal.
Can I Travel With My Service Animal on JetBlue?
It is within your federally protected rights to travel with your service animal, and JetBlue Airlines has a policy to support these rights. JetBlue allows you to travel with your service animal in the cabin as long as certain policies and rules are followed regarding requirements and registering your service animal with the airline. We will give you more details on this below.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the most important pieces of federal legislation when it comes to service animal rights. This act allows individuals to access public places with their service animals, even places that may not allow dogs inside. Under this act, you can access hotels, transportation services, and other spaces during your travel without having to worry about whether or not you will be separated from your service animal.
Make sure you note your rights and requirements under this act – individuals aren’t allowed to ask you for identification, paperwork, or marked harnesses and leashes for your service animal. You are only required to inform individuals that your dog is a service animal and explain the tasks they have been trained to perform (such as guidance or balance support).
Consult the Americans with Disabilities Act here to learn more about your public access rights when traveling with your service animal.
Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act is a federal regulation that gives individuals the right to bring their service animal into an airplane cabin with them. Under this act, individuals in need of assistance from their service animal cannot be separated from them the way most airlines require pets to travel as cargo under the plane.
It is important to note that while the Air Carrier Access Act does allow individuals to travel with their service animal in the cabin, you still need to contact your airline directly for details about registering your service dog and bringing them along with you. Many airlines will have paperwork and forms you need to complete ahead of time in addition to providing health and identification information for your service animal.
What Are JetBlue’s Service Animal Policies?
If you are traveling with JetBlue and you have a service animal, you are likely wondering what the exact service animal policies of this airline are. We give you a brief overview of what you can expect when taking your service animal onto a JetBlue flight with you.
- Only trained service dogs are accepted into the airplane cabins of JetBlue flights.
- Your service animal must be totally under control and harnessed or leashed while in the airport and on your plane.
- Airline staff may assess and evaluate your service animal’s behavior at the airport to ensure they meet requirements – this means that if your service animal is acting dangerous or out of control, they may be turned away from your flight.
- You must notify JetBlue that your service animal is traveling with you at least 48 hours (2 days) before your flight occurs.
- For flights that are booked less than 48 hours before departure, you will need to complete a US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation at the airport. You will need to arrive early for your flight to do this, and JetBlue will attempt to make reasonable accommodations without delays to your flight.
- JetBlue does not accept service animals that are currently in training – only fully trained and working service dogs are allowed.
- Your service animal must fit within the seat that you purchase, and if your animal is large or you have multiple animals, you may need to purchase additional tickets to ensure there is enough room on the airplane. You can also wait for an emptier flight with enough empty seats to accommodate both you and your dog.
- Service animals are not permitted to be in seats, but they may sit fully in your lap as long as they do not touch the seat, tray table, or other individuals. Otherwise, service animals must remain on the floor and not in the aisle.
You should note that if you do not have a service animal, it is a federal crime to misrepresent your pet as a service animal in order to ensure they travel in the airplane cabin with you. Many airlines allow pets to travel with their owners for additional fees, and it is important that you complete the proper processes for airline travel with your pet instead of attempting to gain free travel by falsifying your dog as a service animal. Doing this makes obtaining disability accommodations on airlines more difficult for everyone.
How Do I Notify JetBlue of My Service Animal?
Once you book your ticket with JetBlue, you should notify the airline that you will be traveling with your service animal. This notification must be provided at least 48 hours ahead of your flight’s departure time. The JetBlue website provides additional information on the process for notifying the airline about service animal travel and what to do if you book a flight with less than 48 hours available before the departure time.
Make sure that if JetBlue is only one part of your trip that you also notify other airlines included on your ticket or flight reservations. All airlines have varying policies on how service animal registration and notification is handled before a flight.
Is Additional Information Required for My Service Animal?
In certain locations, you may be required to provide additional information about your service animal, including vaccination and identification documentation. These requirements vary based on the destination you are flying to or returning from, and it is important that you check these regulations ahead of time. Always travel with the paperwork and documentation needed to enter and exit destinations with your service animal to prevent delays or separation from your service animal.
You can use the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Pet Travel Tool to figure out requirements for entry and exit into different destinations.
Preparing Your Service Dog for Travel
Service dogs are highly trained, and your dog should be able to accompany you in an airline cabin without any issues. Service animals are known to have gentle temperaments and stay focused on their owner’s needs, regardless of whether they are in an airplane cabin or on the ground. That being said, there are a few steps you should take with your service animal before taking them into an airline cabin with you.
Before traveling with your service animal, you should:
- Ensure your service dog has a relatively empty stomach to prevent nausea or sickness during the flight. Even the most highly trained service animals may develop stomach problems during air travel.
- Give your dog smaller amounts of water than usual to ensure they don’t need to use the bathroom during your flight. Take your dog to the airport relief area once in the airport, past security, and right before boarding your flight.
- Bring your dog’s travel items with you in carry-on luggage so they are near you before, during, and after your flight. This stops your dog’s travel items from being potentially lost or delayed, as checked baggage may be from time to time.
Make sure when entering the airport and locating your flight that you follow all staff instructions and regulations. Airline staff may have separate areas for you to wait and board for your convenience, and security may be able to help you with your service animal as you move through TSA screening areas.
If you need help accessing certain parts of the airport, contact staff in advance of your flight so they are ready to provide you and your service dog with any assistance.
Travel Smoothly With Your Service Animal
Taking your service animal on a flight can be stressful, and individuals who have never traveled with their service animal before may be confused by the many different airline requirements they need to meet. With most airlines, including JetBlue, you will be required to notify the airline that you are traveling with your service animal ahead of time, in addition to following airline requirements for paperwork and documentation. Always follow airport instructions and be prepared to provide additional information about your service animal as you enter your new destination.