United Airlines
Psychiatric Service
Dog Policy

United Airlines Main Takeaways:

Psychiatric service dogs fly free on all United Airlines flights with required US DOT documentation for your disability.
Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as pets with extra fees per segment.
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 United Airlines flights.
Required documentation includes US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted 48 hours before departure.
Service dogs must fit within your foot space without encroaching on other passengers or aisles during the entire flight.
Service dogs must be at least 4 months old to fly on United Airlines.

Understanding United Airlines’ Service Animal Policy

United Airlines welcomes passengers with disabilities traveling with trained psychiatric service dogs on flights worldwide. Psychiatric service dogs travel free of charge 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 United 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 United 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.

United Airlines complies with all ACAA requirements and follows the revised DOT service animal regulations implemented in January 2021. United accepts psychiatric service dogs at no cost, processes required DOT documentation, and ensures passengers with service dogs receive equal treatment on all routes operated by United Airlines and United Express.

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

Effective January 11, 2021, United Airlines changed its service dog program following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s revised rules on service animals. No emotional support animals are accepted as service animals on any United Airlines flights.

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 extra fee per segment
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.

Advanced Notice

Notify United Airlines when booking your reservation that you’ll travel with a psychiatric service dog. United Airlines requires providing documentation at least 48 hours before departure to ensure proper processing and smoother boarding.

Submit your US 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 at least 2 hours before departure for processing.

How to Add a Service Animal to Your Reservation:

Domestic Flights: Add service animal online when booking through United.com or via your MileagePlus account after booking
International Flights (including Hawaii and Guam): Call United Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add service animal

Contact United Airlines:

Accessibility Desk: 1-800-228-2744 (for service dog questions)
General Customer Service: 1-800-864-8331

Get Your PSD Letter Now

United Airlines PSD Requirements

US DOT Service Animal Form Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form is mandatory for psychiatric service dogs on all United 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. You can submit through your MileagePlus account online for faster processing. For flights booked less than 48 hours before departure, complete the form and present it to a United representative at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.

Keep copies of your forms on your phone (electronic version) and printed copies in your bag. United staff may request to see documentation at check-in, at the gate, or even on the aircraft.

Training Requirements for Psychiatric Service Dogs

United Airlines accepts fully trained psychiatric service dogs that are at least 4 months old. 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

United Airlines requires:

Current rabies vaccination (administered at least 28 days before travel)
Veterinarian’s contact information on DOT form
Travel is not allowed within 28 days of rabies vaccination

For international travel (including Hawaii and Guam), you may need additional health documentation depending on destination country requirements. Check with the destination country’s consulate or embassy for specific requirements.

No Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs

United Airlines does not have breed restrictions for trained service dogs traveling in the cabin, following federal ACAA regulations. All breeds are allowed if they meet service dog requirements. 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 be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft. The dog must stay under your control within your foot space and cannot extend into the aisles or encroach on other passengers’ space.

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.

United Airlines may refuse transport or remove dogs that pose safety threats or cause significant disruptions during flight. Examples of disruptive behavior include growling, snarling, biting, attempting to bite, acting aggressively, or running around unleashed.

Seating Rules for Psychiatric Service Dog Handlers

Exit Row Restrictions: You may NOT sit in exit rows with a service animal. United Airlines automatically blocks exit row seats when you add a service dog to your reservation.

Bulkhead and Other Seats: Bulkhead seats (front-row seats with no one in front) often provide extra floor space for larger service dogs. However, all service dogs must fit within your foot space without extending into aisles or other passengers’ areas.

Premium Cabin Access: Service dogs are allowed in all cabin classes including United Polaris (business class), Premium Plus, and Economy Plus. However, pets (non-service animals) are NOT allowed in First or Business Class on Boeing 747, 757, 767, or 777 aircraft due to lack of space under seats.

United Express Flights: United Express (regional flights) follows the same service dog rules as mainline United flights.

Seating Recommendations:

Window seats work well for anxious dogs (wall on one side, less foot traffic)
Avoid seats at the very back near bathrooms (constant foot traffic)
Request bulkhead seats if you have a larger service dog

United Airlines accepts a maximum of two service dogs per person, provided both fit within your seating area without encroaching on other passengers. Service dogs must occupy the handler’s foot space with no encroachment on neighboring passenger’s foot space or into the aisle.

No Fees for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs travel completely free under applicable disability laws. United 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 United Airlines Flights

Since January 11, 2021, emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals on United Airlines flights. Your emotional support animal must travel as a regular pet with all applicable fees and restrictions.

ESA Pet Fees

In-cabin pets cost $150.00 per segment (each direction of travel) per carrier. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid at booking or check-in.

Additional Fees:

Domestic layovers exceeding 4 hours: Additional $150 per stop
International layovers exceeding 24 hours: Additional $150 per stop

Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Only dogs and cats are permitted as cabin pets. Carriers must not exceed:

Hard-sided carriers: 17.5″ L × 12″ W × 7.5″ H (44 cm × 30 cm × 19 cm)
Soft-sided carriers: 18″ L × 11″ W × 11″ H (46 cm × 28 cm × 28 cm)

The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you, be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and secure. Soft-sided carriers are recommended. Your pet must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably inside the carrier.

Pet Travel Requirements

Your pet must remain in the carrier throughout the entire flight with no part of the animal extending outside. Your pet carrier counts toward your carry-on baggage allowance (you may bring a pet carrier plus a personal item, but the carrier replaces your carry-on bag).

Pet Age Requirements:

Domestic flights: At least 8 weeks old (puppies) or 2 months old (kittens)
International flights: At least 6 months old (dogs) or 4 months old (cats)

Weight Limit:

Combined weight of pet and carrier should not exceed 20 pounds, though United does not strictly enforce weight limits if the pet fits comfortably in an approved carrier.

Pets must be harmless, non-disruptive, and odorless. A maximum of two pets may travel per person if you purchase an additional adjacent seat for the second pet. Each pet must be in a separate carrier.

Check-In Requirements

Passengers traveling with pets must check in with a United agent at the ticket counter approximately 30 minutes earlier than usual. Online check-in is available, but you’ll still need to see an agent. Pets receive a bright yellow tag for their carrier.

Passengers traveling with pets may not be seated in exit rows, bulkhead seats, or certain premium cabin seats on specific aircraft types.

United Airlines Travel Requirements

Domestic (United States)

Service dogs are accepted on all domestic flights within the United States with proper DOT documentation. Pets (dogs and cats only) are permitted on most domestic flights.

International Flights

Service dogs can travel on most international routes, but you must call the Accessibility Desk (1-800-228-2744) to add your service animal for international travel. Documentation requirements vary by destination country.

Countries/Regions Prohibiting Pets:

Pets (non-service animals) are NOT allowed on flights to: