Where Do Service Dogs Sit on a Plane

Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities, and flying with them can be a bit tricky. They're allowed in the cabin with their owners, but where do they sit exactly?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires service dogs to be under the control of their owners at all times, which means they can't occupy a seat. Instead, they usually sit on their owner's lap or at their feet.

Service dogs can be a big help, but they're not allowed to block aisles or interfere with other passengers. This is why they often sit on their owner's lap, keeping them close but not taking up too much space.

Take a look at this: Why Does My Dog Sit in My Lap

Service animals are defined differently under the ACAA than the ADA, which means the ACAA doesn't limit service animals to dogs.

The ACAA defines a service animal as any animal that provides assistance to an individual with a disability, whether it's through individual training or emotional support.

The Great Lakes ADA Center has a webinar that explains the rules for service animals, covering common disability laws and the protections they provide.

Service animals can be any type of animal, not just dogs, according to the ACAA's definition.

Suggestion: Are Psychiatric Service Dogs Covered under the Ada

Air travel with service animals can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown. The Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA) defines service animals differently than the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and it doesn't limit service animals to just dogs.

Service animals can be any animal that's individually trained to provide assistance to someone with a disability, or any animal that assists someone with a disability by providing emotional support. Airlines are required to allow service animals and emotional support animals to sit with their owners in the cabin of the plane.

If you're traveling with a service animal, you're allowed to sit with it in the cabin, and if requested prior to the flight's departure, you'll be given a bulkhead seat. Airlines must also provide animal relief areas in the terminal and escort you to these areas upon request.

On the plane, you're responsible for providing for your service animal's food, care, and supervision. Airline personnel may ask questions and request documentation in certain circumstances, but they can't deny you a seat on the plane if you have an obvious disability and your service animal is wearing a harness, tags, vests, or backpack.

On a similar theme: Are Esa Service Dogs

Here are some specific questions airline personnel may ask:

If you're traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal, airlines may require specific supporting documentation 48 hours in advance of a flight.

Flying with service animals can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, we've got you covered. The ACAA defines a service animal as any animal that's individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, or any animal that assists an individual with a disability by providing emotional support.

Airlines are required to allow service animals and emotional support animals to sit with their owners in the cabin of the airplane. If requested prior to the flight's departure, the traveler must be given a bulkhead seat.

You'll need to provide for the animal's food, care, and supervision on the airplane. Airline personnel may ask questions and request documentation in certain circumstances, but they're not allowed to ask intrusive questions.

If this caught your attention, see: Are Service Animals Only Dogs

If airline personnel are not certain of the animal's status, they may ask additional questions, such as what tasks or functions the animal performs for you, or how the animal performs this task or function for you.

Here's a quick rundown of what you can expect when flying with a service animal:

Remember, the more information you provide, the easier it will be for airline personnel to accommodate your service animal.