Copyright 2019  This content has been researched and provided by TinyPersians and shall not be copied in part or whole as all content on this site is copyrighted, excluding government websites or government contact information and/or Laws, Acts and 3rd party Policies and public content.  All readers shall verify the content provided or any information by contacting reputable resources such as airlines, travel services, local, state and government offices, agencies and programs as laws and situations may change at any time.  TinyPersians is not responsible for typos, omissions, changes of Laws or Acts that are not updated, or any misinterpretations by the reader.  TinyPersians to the best of their ability and knowledge have carefully researched and provided this information correctly for the readers to hopefully benefit if applicable.  We hope you find the information useful.  Information and content statements are intended to make known of the ESA opportunity and The ACAA Law, and does not in any way or form provide legal advice.   Please research any up-to-date changes of the Laws; ACAA Law and the ESA Law.  Please contact governmental resources for additional information.     

 
Traveling with an approved ESA via Airlines 

October 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in air travel.  This Act sets out requirements for disability access at airports and on airlines

1.   The ACAA rules: prohibit U.S. and foreign airlines from discriminating against passengers on the basis of disability  

     Additional information about this Law  

 2.   The Air Carrier Access Act also protect ESA owners from being charge a fee for their ESA accompanying them on the airline,

       assuming one has met all the legitimate requirements

 3.   If an airline refuses to allow an ESA onboard, the owner has the option to request a meeting with a Customer Resolution Official (CRO).

    This should be done immediately. Airlines are required to employ CROs who are specifically trained in handling disability-related disputes

    and  uncertainties

4.   In order to be covered by the Air Carrier Access Act, one must comply with Airline Regulations. Consequently, there are certain requirements that ESA owners must meet

Some   ESA requirements   include: 

1.  Verification Letter from a licensed mental health professional prescribing or endorsing the animal as an ES

      which will offer benefits for a particular mental disability
2.  The mental or emotional diagnosis must comply with the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)

​
ACAA – Airline Carrier Act - Brief Review:
 1.  Ensures that people are able to fly with an emotional support cat without having to pay additional fees 
2.  The Airlines do require one to inform the Airlines in advance and a current (less than 1 year old) ESA letter

     approving an ESA Emotional Support Animal (your Cat) is provided  

3.  Some Airlines now request additional FORMS.   Be sure to read and ask questions about the Airlines ESA and Pet Polices   

      Remember situations changes, policies change, Laws may change so keep informed and up-to-date always !

For detailed information on  ACAA and ESA Laws contact government resources.  Read more

​

This information is a guideline to traveling with an ESA approved pet.  
The reader should investigate each Airline Policies, requirements, etc. to have the travel run smooth.  
Please note, Airlines may have different requirements - FORMS and Policies for specific cat and dog breeds with traveling, however, as a carry-on Policies may vary due to them not shipping in the cargo area.  
Ask questions about an ESA animal traveling.  Be honest with your supplied information.    Enjoy your traveling with your cat.  

 

Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)