Alaska Airlines
Psychiatric Service
Dog Policy

Alaska Airlines Main Takeaways:

Psychiatric service dogs fly free on all flights with required DOT documentation for your disability.
Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as pets with fees.
Your dog must perform trained tasks for your mental health disability, not just provide comfort through its presence.
Maximum of two service dogs per passenger on Alaska Airlines flights.
Required documentation includes DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted 48 hours before departure.
Service dogs must fit within your foot space without encroaching on other passengers during the entire flight.
You can use Open Doors Organization’s Service Animal Forms Portal for streamlined form submission and Service Animal ID number.

Understanding Alaska Airlines’ Service Animal Policy

Alaska Airlines welcomes passengers with disabilities traveling with trained psychiatric service dogs on all flights. Psychiatric service dogs travel free of charge in the aircraft cabin and receive full protection under applicable disability laws. Alaska Airlines accomodates service animals, recognizing them as essential medical equipment rather than pets. This guide covers current regulations, required documentation, and what to expect when flying with a psychiatric service dog on Alaska Airlines.

The Air Carrier Access Act: Federal Law Governing Airline Policies

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), enacted in 1986 and codified at 49 U.S.C. § 41705, prohibits discrimination against air travelers with disabilities. Enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation through 14 CFR Part 382, the ACAA applies to all U.S. airlines and foreign airlines operating flights to or from the United States. The law requires airlines to allow trained service dogs in the cabin at no charge, provide boarding assistance, and make reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities.

Alaska Airlines complies with all ACAA requirements and was the first major U.S. airline to implement the revised DOT service animal regulations in January 2021. Alaska Airlines accepts psychiatric service dogs at no cost, processes required DOT documentation, and ensures passengers with service dogs receive equal treatment on all routes.

Important Policy Change: Emotional Support Animals No Longer Recognized on Flights

Effective January 11, 2021, Alaska Airlines changed its service dog program following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s revised rules on service animals. No emotional support animals have been accepted for free travel after February 28, 2021.

Before January 2021: Old ESA Rules

Service animals and emotional support animals both flew free in the cabin
ESA letters from mental health professionals were accepted as sufficient documentation
Multiple species were accommodated at no charge
Less stringent documentation requirements for ESAs

After January 2021: Current ESA Rules

Only trained service dogs are recognized as service animals
Emotional support animals are NOT recognized as service animals
ESAs must travel as regular pets with applicable fees and restrictions
Psychiatric service dogs (task-trained) still qualify for free accommodation
Stricter documentation requirements including DOT Service Animal Form for all flights

Psychiatric Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

The key distinction is task training. Psychiatric service dogs must perform specific trained tasks such as interrupting panic attacks, reminding you to take medication, providing tactile stimulation during dissociative episodes, guiding you to safety during psychiatric episodes, waking you from nightmares, or creating physical barriers in crowded spaces. If your dog only provides comfort without performing trained tasks, it’s classified as an ESA and must travel as a pet with applicable fees and restrictions.

Advanced Notice

Notify Alaska Airlines when booking your reservation that you’ll travel with a psychiatric service dog. Alaska Airlines strongly recommends providing at least 48 hours’ advance notice to ensure proper seating arrangements and smoother boarding.

Submit your DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before departure if you booked your flight in advance. If you purchase tickets less than 48 hours before departure, you may complete the form at the airport but should arrive with extra time for processing.

Contact Alaska Airlines by phone at 1-800-252-7522 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). You can also manage reservations online at alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines partners with Open Doors Organization to offer a streamlined Service Animal Forms Portal where you can maintain a valid DOT form on file and receive a Service Animal ID number for easier booking.

Get Your PSD Letter Now

Alaska Airlines PSD Requirements

DOT Service Animal Form Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form is mandatory for psychiatric service dogs on all Alaska Airlines flights. You must:

Attest to your dog’s task training for your psychiatric disability
Confirm appropriate public behavior and training
Verify your dog won’t threaten other passengers
Provide veterinarian’s name and contact information
Provide rabies vaccination date and expiration
Provide trainer’s name/organization and contact number
For flights over eight hours, complete the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form attesting your dog can refrain from relieving itself or do so sanitarily

Download the form from transportation.gov and submit at least 48 hours before departure if booked in advance. For flights booked less than 48 hours before departure, complete the form at the airport check-in desk or departure gate.

Service Animal Forms Portal (Optional)

Alaska Airlines partners with Open Doors Organization to offer a Service Animal Forms Portal (SAFP) at no cost. Benefits include:

Complete the DOT form online and receive a unique Service Animal ID number
Use the same ID number for all future Alaska Airlines flights
Valid for the duration of your dog’s rabies vaccination
Receive email reminders when rabies vaccine renewal is due
No need to resubmit forms for each flight
Faster check-in process at the airport

Training Requirements for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Alaska Airlines accepts fully trained psychiatric service dogs. Service dogs must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a psychiatric disability. Your dog must remain under your control at all times and behave appropriately in public settings.

Health Certificate Requirements

Health certificate requirements vary based on travel direction and destination.

Traveling Within the United States (Domestic): Health certificates are not required for service dogs traveling within the US. However, Alaska Airlines requires proof of rabies vaccination for interstate travel.
Traveling to Hawaii: Dogs must meet Hawaii’s strict rabies quarantine requirements. Contact Hawaii’s Rabies Quarantine Branch for specific requirements. Without proper documentation, your service dog may be quarantined for up to 120 days at your expense.
International destinations: Health and vaccination requirements vary by destination. Check specific country requirements well in advance through the consulate, embassy, or appropriate government authority. You are responsible for meeting all import/export regulations.

No Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs

Alaska Airlines does not have breed restrictions for trained service dogs traveling in the cabin. However, your service dog must fit within your seating area and behave appropriately throughout the flight.

Behavior Standards During Flight

Your psychiatric service dog must remain leashed, harnessed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft. The dog must stay under your control within your foot space or on your lap if small enough (no larger than an infant).

Your dog must behave appropriately without excessive barking, biting, jumping, or displaying aggression toward passengers or crew. Dogs cannot occupy seats or tray tables, and cannot block aisles or emergency exits.

Alaska Airlines may refuse transport or remove dogs that pose safety threats or cause significant disruptions during flight.

Seating Rules for Psychiatric Service Dog Handlers

You may select any available seat except emergency exit rows. Depending on aircraft type, you may be required to sit in a window seat due to space limitations beneath non-window seats.

Alaska Airlines accepts a maximum of two service dogs per person, provided both fit within your seating area without encroaching on other passengers. The size of your service animal(s) must not exceed the footprint or personal space of your seat or foot area during the entire flight.

No Fees for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs travel completely free under applicable disability laws. Alaska Airlines does not charge for cabin access, documentation processing, or any disability-related accommodations. You only pay for your own passenger ticket.

Emotional Support Animals: Traveling as Pets on Alaska Airlines Flights

Since February 28, 2021, emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals on Alaska Airlines flights. Your emotional support animal must travel as a regular pet with all applicable fees and restrictions.

ESA Pet Fees

Cabin pets cost $100 USD/CAD each way. Checked pets (baggage compartment) cost $150 USD/CAD each way, or $100 USD/CAD for travel wholly within Alaska or for active duty US Military personnel and dependents on travel orders. Contact Alaska Airlines directly for current pet fees on your specific flight.

Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Only dogs and cats at least eight weeks old are permitted as cabin pets (rabbits and household birds temporarily allowed through April 4, 2026 for tickets booked before June 5, 2025). Hard-sided carriers must not exceed 17″ L x 11″ W x 7.5″ H. Soft-sided carriers must not exceed 17″ L x 11″ W x 9.5″ H. The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you, be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and secure.

For pets traveling in the baggage compartment, the combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 150 lbs. Carriers must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, sit, and lie down comfortably. Maximum baggage compartment carrier size is 40″ L x 27″ W x 30″ H.

Pet Travel Requirements

Your pet must remain in the carrier throughout the entire flight with head and tail fully enclosed. Vaccination records may be required depending on destination. Your pet carrier counts toward your carry-on baggage allowance. Space must be reserved in advance by contacting reservations after booking your passenger ticket. ESAs traveling as pets receive no special accommodations and are subject to all standard pet policies including breed restrictions and destination limitations.

Pets traveling in the baggage compartment require a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds including Boston Terrier, Boxer, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu, American Pit Bull, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, and Exotic Shorthair are NOT permitted in the baggage compartment due to respiratory risks.

Alaska Airlines’ Travel Requirements

Alaska Airlines has different requirements based on where a passenger travels with a pet or service dog.

Domestic

Service dogs traveling domestically must have rabies vaccination for interstate travel. Pets in cabin do not require health certificates for domestic travel, but pets in baggage compartment require health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

International

Only dogs and cats are accepted for international travel. Service dogs are permitted on international flights with proper documentation. Pets traveling internationally require health certificates and must meet destination country requirements.

Traveling to Canada: Cats must have rabies certificate issued within last three years. Dogs require proof of rabies vaccination.
Traveling to/from Mexico and Costa Rica: Pets are not accepted to or from these destinations. Dogs must be screwworm-free when entering US from Mexico. Maximum two pets per family per flight into US from Mexico.
International destinations: You are responsible for meeting all import/export regulations including health certificates, permits, and vaccinations. Failure to meet requirements may result in denial of entry, quarantine, or return at owner’s expense.

US Inbound

Dogs entering the U.S. must meet CDC requirements effective August 1, 2024. Requirements vary based on the dog’s location in the previous six months:

Low-risk countries: Microchip, health verification, 6+ months age, CDC Dog Import Form
High-risk countries (U.S. vaccinated): Above plus U.S. rabies vaccination certification
High-risk countries (non-U.S. vaccinated): Not accepted

Visit cdc.gov/importation/dogs for country classifications and complete requirements.