Frontier Airlines
Psychiatric Service
Dog Policy

Frontier Airlines Main Takeaways:

Psychiatric service dogs fly free on all Frontier Airlines flights with required US DOT documentation.
Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as pets with additional fees.
Only dogs are accepted as service animals on Frontier flights.
Required documentation includes US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted 48 hours before departure (or at airport on travel day).
Service dogs must fit on the floor or in your lap (no larger than a 2-year-old child).
Your dog must be individually trained to perform tasks for your disability.
Exit row seating prohibited for passengers traveling with service animals.

Understanding Frontier Airlines’ Service Animal Policy

Frontier Airlines accommodates passengers with disabilities traveling with trained psychiatric service dogs on flights. Psychiatric service dogs fly free in the aircraft cabin and receive full protection under applicable disability laws. This guide covers current regulations, required documentation, and what to expect when flying with a psychiatric service dog on Frontier 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 including Frontier Airlines. 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.

Frontier Airlines complies with all ACAA requirements and follows the revised DOT service animal regulations. Frontier accepts psychiatric service dogs at no cost, processes require 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

Following changes to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rules on service animals, as of February 1, 2021, Frontier no longer accepts emotional support animals onboard.

Before 2021: Old ESA Rules

Emotional support animals flew in the cabin for free
Mental health professional documentation was sufficient
No carrier requirements for ESAs

After 2021: Current ESA Rules

Only trained service dogs are recognized as service animals
Emotional support animals must travel as pets with additional fee per direction
Psychiatric service dogs (task-trained) still qualify for free accommodation
Required DOT documentation for all service animals

Psychiatric Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

The critical difference is task training. Only dogs with completed training to perform specific work or tasks that directly assist someone with a disability qualify as service animals. This includes psychiatric service dogs trained for psychiatric disabilities. Animals that only offer emotional comfort without trained task performance must follow pet travel rules with associated fees.

Advanced Notice

Notify Frontier of your intention to travel with a trained service animal and submit your completed Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before departure. For bookings made in advance, electronic submission is required by the 48-hour deadline. For last-minute bookings, present your completed documentation to Customer Service Agents at the airport. Add service animal requests during initial booking or update existing reservations through flyfrontier.com/travel/my-trips.

Get Your PSD Letter Now

Frontier Airlines PSD Requirements

US DOT Service Animal Form Requirements

Complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form verifying your dog’s health status, behavioral standards, and training completion. Access the form through Frontier’s website or transportation.gov. Submit electronically via Frontier’s service animal request portal or send by mail to Attention Frontier Customer Care, 4545 Airport Way, Denver, CO 80239. Keep a printed copy available as airport staff or flight crew may request verification at various points during your journey.

Training Requirements for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Frontier accepts dogs that have completed training to perform specific work or tasks for individuals with disabilities. This includes psychiatric service dogs. Your dog must demonstrate proper training and appropriate public behavior without showing aggression or causing disturbances.

No Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs

Frontier Airlines follows federal ACAA regulations and does not restrict service dogs by breed. All breeds qualify if they meet training standards and behavior expectations.

Behavior Standards During Flight

Frontier may deny boarding to service animals that display disruptive behavior or create safety concerns for other passengers. Disruptive behaviors include but are not limited to persistent scratching, excessive vocalizations like whining or barking, aggressive displays such as growling or lunging, biting, and eliminating waste in cabin areas or gate zones. Frontier retains the right to deny cabin accommodation if required documentation is missing or if the animal demonstrates aggressive or disruptive tendencies.

Seating Rules for Psychiatric Service Dog Handlers

Emergency exit row seating is not available when traveling with a trained service animal. Federal safety regulations require your service animal be positioned to avoid blocking emergency evacuation routes. Your dog may rest on the cabin floor or sit in your lap if the animal’s size does not exceed that of a two-year-old child. Service animals cannot protrude into aisles, occupy passenger seats, or intrude into adjacent passenger areas. Pet carriers are optional for service animals. If you choose to use one, secure it beneath the seat ahead of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing.

No Fees for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs travel at no cost. Frontier does not impose charges for cabin transport of trained service animals. Your only expense is your passenger ticket.

Emotional Support Animals: Traveling as Pets on Frontier Airlines Flights

Since February 1, 2021, emotional support animals no longer qualify for service animal accommodations following updated U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Your emotional support animal may travel according to Frontier’s standard pet policies with applicable charges.

ESA Pet Fees

Cabin pet transport costs $99 per animal per flight direction. This charge is non-refundable.

Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Hard-sided containers are limited to 18″ length x 14″ width x 8″ height maximum dimensions. Soft-sided containers should have a maximum dimensions of 18″ length x 14″ width x 11″ height. Your pet’s container must allow your animal to stand, pivot, and recline in a comfortable position. The carrier must fit beneath the seat positioned in front of you.

Pet Travel Requirements

Pet Species: Frontier accepts domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds for U.S. domestic flights. Prohibited species include large birds such as parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and birds of prey, rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels, beavers, ferrets, all reptiles including snakes, amphibians, spiders, and insects.
Pet Age Requirements: Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old for travel.
Number of Pets: Each container may hold one adult dog or cat.
Behavior Requirements: Animals must stay secured in their containers throughout the flight. Your pet should be well-behaved, quiet, clean-smelling, and self-sufficient during travel. Frontier recommends against providing food or water during flight due to stress and motion factors that may upset your pet.
Health Certificate Requirements: Health certificates are not mandatory for U.S. domestic cabin pet travel through Frontier, though arrival states may require certification. The United States Department of Agriculture oversees domestic pet transportation regulations.
Baggage Allowance: Beyond your pet container, you may bring either a personal item measuring 8″H x 14″W x 18″L or a carry-on bag measuring 10″H x 16″W x 24″L. Carry-on bags incur additional charges. Row one and emergency exit row seating is unavailable when traveling with cabin pets.

At the Airport

Frontier verifies both your status as someone with a disability and your animal’s qualification as a trained service animal. When disability status is not immediately apparent, airport personnel may ask verification questions to distinguish service animals from pets. Questions may address your dog’s training methods for assisting with your disability or specific tasks your dog performs. Expect potential questions about your animal at multiple points during your airport and flight experience.

Frontier Airlines Travel Requirements

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

Domestic (United States)

Cabin pets are permitted on all Frontier domestic routes. Service dogs travel on all domestic flights with appropriate DOT documentation.

Puerto Rico Requirements:

Each animal traveling to/from Puerto Rico must have an official health certificate valid for 30 days from travel date. Requirements include official veterinary certificate stating the animal did not originate from a rabies quarantine area, rabies vaccination within six months before travel for pets over four months old, treatment for external parasites within 72 hours prior to entry (stated on health certificate), and official individual identification (microchip or collar with metallic ID tag). Puerto Rico requires a sturdy collar and two identification tags with your permanent address/phone number and travel contact information.

U.S. Virgin Islands Requirements:

All pets arriving in U.S. Virgin Islands require a health certificate stating the animal did not originate from a rabies quarantine area, rabies vaccination within six months prior to travel date (except dogs and cats under 12 weeks old), and identification of ownership with address and phone number recommended.

International

Service animals are accepted on international flights, though destination countries maintain individual regulations. You bear sole responsibility for researching and meeting all legal requirements and procedures for each country on your itinerary regarding animal entry. International service dog travel requires health certificates. Countries may mandate vaccinations beyond standard requirements. Contact consulates for specific disease-related vaccination information.

Frontier no longer accepts new pet bookings for international travel. Only service animals qualify for international flights with proper documentation.

US Inbound

International arrivals require service dogs to have CDC Dog Import Form documentation, minimum age of 6 months, healthy appearance upon arrival, and detectable microchip verification. Service dogs from high-risk rabies countries need supplemental documentation including uploaded photos and government-endorsed veterinary records. Complete information available at cdc.gov/importation/dogs.