Spirit Airlines ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Policy

Spirit Airlines Main Takeaways:

  • Spirit Airlines requires the U.S. DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form for traveling with a service dog. Submit it preferably 48 hours before the flight.
  • Pet fees: $110 per pet carrier for each flight.
  • No breed restrictions for service dogs. Pet carriers must be soft-sided and fit under the seat (18 x 14 x 9 inches).
  • Limited pet policy includes small domestic dogs, cats, rabbits, and small household birds.
  • Health certificates required for animals going to USVI, and rabies vaccination certificates for Puerto Rico.
  • Only service dogs allowed on international and US inbound flights, with possible additional regulations for CDC dog import regulations.
Get Your Official ESA Letter

Passengers traveling with a service dog must follow the Spirit Airlines service animal policies closely to ensure a smooth transaction.

Spirit Airline’s Required Documentations

Spirit Airlines requires that you fill out the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form. The airline prefers that you submit it on their website. Documents may be presented at the gate, but if Spirit Airlines staff cannot verify the documents before the flight, you may need to reschedule for a later departure.

Advanced Notice

Spirit Airlines requires that you submit a DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form for each service animal traveling with you. The airline strongly suggests submitting the form at least 48 hours before your flight.

For reservations or questions regarding flights or policy, contact Spirit Airlines toll-free at 1-855-SAVE-555 (855-728-3555); hearing-impaired passengers should dial 711 for TTY/TTD. You can also reach Spirit Airlines by text at 48763 or use 855-728-3555 on WhatsApp.

Additional Spirit Airlines Policies

The DOT form is an official government document; therefore, all information must be correct. Deliberate misstatements could be seen as fraudulent and considered a federal crime. Spirit Airlines clarifies on its site that incidences of false documents will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

The Spirit Airlines pet policy allows small domesticated animals to travel in the aircraft cabin on domestic flights. This includes flights to and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current Spirit Airline policy for emotional support animals is that they be treated as pets and are subject to the airline’s regular pet policies. In contrast, service dogs can travel with you as long as they meet the proper requirements.

Spirit Airlines’ Pet Fees

The cost of bringing your pet onboard a plane with you depends on where you’re traveling, and Spirit Airlines charges a fee of $110 per pet carrier for each flight, regardless of whether the carrier contains one pet or two.

Spirit Airlines’ Breed Restrictions

Spirit Airlines does not list specific breed restrictions for pets; however, the size and weight limits for pet carriers will naturally exclude some breeds. There are no breed restrictions placed on service dogs.

Spirit Airlines’ Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Pet carriers must fit underneath a seat and cannot be larger than 18 x 14 x 9 inches. Carriers must be soft-sided and completely enclosed.

Spirit Airlines’ Travel Requirements

Spirit Airlines has a limited pet policy. Approved animals are small domestic dogs and cats. Except for flights to Puerto Rico and the USVI, this includes rabbits and small household birds. Poultry, waterfowl, birds of prey, game birds, and flightless birds are not considered household birds and are excluded from the policy.

Additional restrictions include:

  • A health certificate for animals traveling to USVI is required.
  • A rabies vaccination certificate is required for animals going to Puerto Rico.
  • Animals must be at least eight weeks old and weaned from their mother.
  • All animals must be contained in a pet carrier for the entirety of the flight and must be able to stand and move freely.
  • No more than two animals can be in each pet carrier, and each passenger is limited to one carrier.
  • There is a limit of six pet carriers on each flight.
  • Pet carriers must be stored under the seat in front of the passenger who brought them into the aircraft cabin.

Domestic

Service animals and approved pets are allowed on all domestic flights. Additional requirements for a health certificate or rabies vaccination record exist for Puerto Rico and USVI.

International

Except for service dogs, the Spirit Airlines pet policy does not allow animals on international flights. Additional regulations may exist for service dogs traveling to other countries; passengers should contact Spirit Airlines for more information on their destination.

US Inbound

Except for service dogs, the Spirit Airlines pet policy does not allow animals on flights inbound to the U.S. from other destinations. Service dogs returning to the U.S. from other countries may also fall under CDC dog import regulations.