# Is there any airline that will let me fly with a 30lb dog in the main cabin?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 30, 2016, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446 "2016-11-30T05:41:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/41 "2016-11-30T17:43:44Z")
The Air Carrier Access Act recognizes emotional support dogs and requires airlines to transport them. The related regulations allow airlines to require certain documentation that an emotional support dog is required for a person’s disability. (pdf: [http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20030509.pdf](http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20030509.pdf)). The Southwest language above seems in accordance with the Air Carrier Access Act reg.
In contrast, the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t recognize “emotional support dogs” or “therapy dogs” as service animals. [Redirecting…](https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm)
> [@Riemann](#):
>
> Or is the idea that this only applies if you _say_ it’s an emotional support animal, and if you just lie and claim it’s a service animal for a disability they cannot challenge that?
The regulations I link to above make it clear that airlines can challenge people about their service animals. They can ask whether it’s a pet, ask follow-up questions like, "What tasks or functions does your animal perform for you?’’ or “What has it been trained to do for you?” or “Would you describe how the animal performs this task (or function) for you?” If the passenger doesn’t provide “credible assurances” that the dog is a service animal, the airline can request documentation. Again, this differs from the ADA which doesn’t allow people to ask for documentation. Airlines can always ask for documentation about emotional support animals.
Airlines can also deny disruptive dogs, such as barking, growling, aggressive animals or animals that relieve themselves inappropriately.
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> Someone brought their “emotional support” turkey on a plane. I’m sure you can manage to get your dog in a seat as well.
This may have been a fully documented animal. Emotional support animals don’t require any special training. Alternatively, the airline can allow any animal it wants on the plane. Maybe they were feeling generous or didn’t want to get in a Twitter war with a passenger they turned away.
> [@Corry\_El](#):
>
> I agree that’s true on the ground. In fact it’s pretty obvious staff at stores and such even with signs saying ‘nothing but service animals’ often don’t even ask if the dog is small or sissy looking\*.
>
> [Snip]
>
> So I think the answer to getting a regular dog in the cabin of an airliner outside a carrier is to get a medical professional to lie for you on the documentation, which obviously isn’t recommended.
Small or sissy looking dogs can be service dogs. Stores can also decide that they will take the risk of allowing small or sissy looking dogs because they don’t present much threat to the store or its customers while still denying access to German shepherds and such. If I ran a crowded antique store, this would probably be my policy. It’s not like there is a civil rights law protecting owners of big dogs. Turn them away at will.
As for lying to get your dog on the plane with you – don’t. It’s likely fraud and it makes you a bad person.
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/42 "2016-11-30T17:47:09Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#):
>
> …
>
> Most of the other instances were emotional support dogs (i.e. I [del]don’t want to[/del] can’t travel without [del]my pet[/del] this animal). These dogs were also well behaved and caused no problems. [Substitutions added-Leo]
**Omar** clearly understands, but sloppy wording continues to perpetuate wrong understanding.
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### Author:  [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/43 "2016-11-30T17:59:28Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> We are traveling cross country and would like to take our 30lb dog (medium sized mutt). We do not want her to travel in cargo and would buy her a ticket if they would let her travel in the main cabin. Does anyone know a commercial airline that would allow this?
I would not want my dog in cargo either. I used to sell pet carriers on my doggie boutique website, and it was my understanding that the dog had to fit under the seat, in a carrier.
Here’s what I learned about dog deaths from riding in cargo. (I’m glad you started this thread)
[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-10/this-is-how-many-animals-died-on-airlines-last-year](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-10/this-is-how-many-animals-died-on-airlines-last-year)
I have pugs, so they won’t be riding in cargo…ever!
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### Author:  [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/44 "2016-11-30T18:01:40Z")
> [@bobkitty](#):
>
> Is there a reason you don’t want to put it under the plane?
> [@Zsofia](#):
>
> I’m sure they don’t want to put it in as cargo because of the bazillion horror stories about lost/misdirected/maltreated/ended up dead dogs in cargo.
Bingo, **Zsofia**. I would no sooner put my dog in cargo, than put one of my kids in cargo. It seems cruel and she would be terrified.
> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> As mentioned by a few early posters (and not to derail everybody’s fun, arguing back and forth about service animals etc.) I too am curious how the OP visualized having their dog in the cabin. Loose and underfoot? Buckled and strapped to the seat?
>
> Yes, there are seat belt adapters for dogs (for **car** safety) but was that really what you had in mind?
My dog is very well behaved and I see her sitting in the middle seat with a leash on-I would just buy her a ticket as if she were a toddler. She would not fit in a carrier that fit under the seat & most airline’s policies that I’ve read give specific dimensions of the carrier (they vary by airline, but are close) & the dog has to be able to turn around in the carrier. My dog is too big for that.
I appreciate all the ADA & SA suggestions, but want to clarify that I do not have a disability and while I could probably make a case that my dog offers me emotional support (she does), I have kids and can’t imagine saying “Hey kids, I found a way to exploit the system so our dog can travel in the main cabin with us!!”. Just not the kind of values I wish to instill in them.
So if I’m understanding the consensus, the only way I can fly with my dog in the cabin is to fly private, which unfortunately would be too expensive.
If anyone knows of any commercial airlines with more lenient pet polices, please let me know. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/45 "2016-11-30T18:04:39Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> Someone brought their “emotional support” turkey on a plane. I’m sure you can manage to get your dog in a seat as well.
Okay, that made me snort! Funny!
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### Author:  [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/46 "2016-11-30T18:29:17Z")
nm
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### Author:  [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/47 "2016-11-30T18:33:00Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> Bingo, **Zsofia**. I would no sooner put my dog in cargo, than put one of my kids in cargo. It seems cruel and she would be terrified.
>
> My dog is very well behaved and I see her sitting in the middle seat with a leash on-I would just buy her a ticket as if she were a toddler. She would not fit in a carrier that fit under the seat & most airline’s policies that I’ve read give specific dimensions of the carrier (they vary by airline, but are close) & the dog has to be able to turn around in the carrier. My dog is too big for that.
>
> I appreciate all the ADA & SA suggestions, but want to clarify that I do not have a disability and while I could probably make a case that my dog offers me emotional support (she does), I have kids and can’t imagine saying “Hey kids, I found a way to exploit the system so our dog can travel in the main cabin with us!!”. Just not the kind of values I wish to instill in them.
>
> So if I’m understanding the consensus, the only way I can fly with my dog in the cabin is to fly private, which unfortunately would be too expensive.
>
> If anyone knows of any commercial airlines with more lenient pet polices, please let me know. Thanks!
I think it’s nice that you won’t consider putting your dog in cargo. How about simply renting a car to do your cross country trip?
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### Author:  [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/48 "2016-11-30T18:54:37Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> It seems cruel and she would be terrified.
Dog sits in a pet crate in a dark place for a few hours. I’m curious why this would be cruel or terrifying.
(I know people who have “crate-trained” dogs at home, who do this routinely.)
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### Author:  [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/49 "2016-11-30T18:57:19Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> My dog is very well behaved and I see her sitting in the seat
awwww…Just like in the car!
Now, am I the only one imagining a dog with it’s snout poking out of the window at 30 000 feet? 🙂
And out of curiosity,I just thought of another image: how many service animals are allowed on a flight?
Suppose a bunch of blind people travelling as an organized group: could you put, say, 50 seeing-eye dogs in a narrow, enclosed space?
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/50 "2016-11-30T19:00:58Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#):
>
> > [@Omar Little](#):
> >
> > …
> >
> > Most of the other instances were emotional support dogs (i.e. I don’t want to can’t travel without my pet this animal). These dogs were also well behaved and caused no problems. [Substitutions added-Leo]
>
> **Omar** clearly understands, but sloppy wording continues to perpetuate wrong understanding.
Actually I believe you misunderstood Omar.
There \*are \*legitimate emotional support animals. IME on the airlines the number of pets that are falsely labeled emotional support animals outnumber actual emotional support animals probably 50 to 1.
I read \*\*Omar \*\*as saying that his travel experience encompasses legit support animals for non-emotional needs and pets fraudulently claimed to be emotional support animals. What he has \*not \*seen is a real live actual emotional support animal.
Which comports with my experience as well.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/51 "2016-11-30T19:10:51Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> Bingo, **Zsofia**. I would no sooner put my dog in cargo, than put one of my kids in cargo. It seems cruel and she would be terrified.
> …
As a point of information. …
Cargo compartments are not much noisier than in the cabin. It’s not much cooler. It’s exactly as well ventilated. It is however absolutely, positively dark.
Every so often a cargo handler is inadvertently carried from A to B. In countries with less stringent airfield perimeter security, stowaways get in cargo compartments occasionally.
They report it’s boring; very boring. But otherwise a perfectly tolerable way to travel.
The dogs I see coming down out of our cargo holds don’t look any more upset than they do going into them. I imagine the airplane ride itself is the calming sleeping part of the journey. It’s all the checking, handling, waiting, loading, unloading, handling, and turnover back to the owner that’s full of strange people, strange sights, sounds, smells, etc.
You should definitely do whatever makes you most comfortable. But good decisions should stem from real information.
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### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/52 "2016-11-30T19:18:23Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> I would no sooner put my dog in cargo, than put one of my kids in cargo.
Wait, I can do that?!
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/53 "2016-11-30T19:22:01Z")
I bet if we offered that service for a reasonable fee and sold kid carriers at the gate many customers would gladly chip in to pay for it. For other people’s kids. So it wouldn’t cost the parents a dime. Win-win!! 🙂
Seriously I have seen kid carriers used in the cargo hold. There was a prize goat breeder who shipped his freshly-sold baby goats to their new home via our carrier. They were adorable in their little crates with their water bowls and bags of goat chow attached
Kids. Get it? I’ll be here all week. Try the veal. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/54 "2016-11-30T19:31:26Z")
> [@CatandMouse](#):
>
> I think it’s nice that you won’t consider putting your dog in cargo. How about simply renting a car to do your cross country trip?
We will not have enough time to drive across country. It’s only a 5 day trip to visit relatives for Christmas, but the drive back and forth would take 4 days. Too bad they live so far away.
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### Author:  [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/55 "2016-11-30T19:32:06Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#):
>
> +1 on falsely claiming service animal or emotional support dog–(“hey, it would feel better–_really_–if I had my dog with me rather than in a crate,” “hey, it’s always nice emotionally to have my dog around, maybe even in my lap”)–follow the always-applicable rule in life: don’t be an asshole.
>
> I’ve travelled domestically and internationally with my service beast (a dog), and _mirabile dictu_ felt sympathy for the airlines, who are doing the decent thing. Yes, they’re doing it because of the law, but unlike so many business establishments bend over backwards to be accommodating.
Don’t be an asshole: the new golden rule as far as I’m concerned. I might stitch it into a sampler. Next to it I’ll add “Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.”
I really don’t want to travel with other people’s pets in the air. I’m not crazy about it in Home Depot or other stores, but I have the option of leaving and the person with the pet has the option of leaving. On a plane, we’re kind of stuck with each other. And while your pet may be the most well-behaved and docile animal on the planet, until it’s logged a few dozen flight hours, I don’t believe you can really predict how it will behave.
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### Author:  [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/56 "2016-11-30T19:36:02Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#):
>
> We will not have enough time to drive across country. It’s only a 5 day trip to visit relatives for Christmas, but the drive back and forth would take 4 days. Too bad they live so far away.
Bummer! I guess I wouldn’t get to see those relatives.
Delta, Alaska, & American won’t even fly my dogs (pugs) because they are prone to suffocating and overheating.
Here’s some good info on taking your dog on a plane.
> **[Is Taking Your Pet on an Airplane Worth the Risk?](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/is-taking-your-pet-on-an-airplane-worth-the-risk-6241533/)**
>
> Air travel is not just stressful for animals. It can be dangerous, no matter how smooth the landing, timely the departure or friendly the flight attendants
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### Author:  [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/57 "2016-11-30T19:37:07Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Would you rather sit next to a 250 lbs well-behaved Newfy … or a 250 lbs man having a total emotional breakdown?
Yeah, I hear people complain about animals in public all the time. Like, I get that dogs can be filthy and break things, but… have you seen _people_? They’re _way_ worse. Especially the young ones.
I’d rather fly on a plane with a hundred dogs than one screaming infant. But you don’t see me trying to shame parents or make laws against bringing children into planes and restaurants.
Also, no matter how nice a cargo hold is, my dog isn’t going in there. If I have to bring my dog somewhere, we’re driving. Planes are bad enough for people. Unless we’re talking a private jet or something.
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### Author:  [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/58 "2016-11-30T19:44:42Z")
> [@Xema](#):
>
> Dog sits in a pet crate in a dark place for a few hours. I’m curious why this would be cruel or terrifying.
>
> (I know people who have “crate-trained” dogs at home, who do this routinely.)
I don’t judge anyone who decides to put their dog in cargo, it’s just not a decision I am comfortable with for my dog-she was never crate trained and doesn’t like to be confined to small spaces. I know it is mostly safe, but I do know someone personally whose dog died on a flight from Atlanta to LA (heatstroke) & there are certainly numerous other examples.
And before someone says “Well the plane could crash and your dog could die anyway”. or “Your dog could get hit by a car, so are you never going to walk her?” Yes I understand life has risks and there are no guarantees ever for anything. But bottom line, I’m not putting my dog in cargo.
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### Author:  [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/59 "2016-11-30T19:46:39Z")
Yeah if your dog is a service dog. I was out with my hearing dog and a woman came up to me to tell me she just came back from a trip and she saw a mini horse on the place. It was a guide horse for a blind person and it was in the main cabin.
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-airline-that-will-let-me-fly-with-a-30lb-dog-in-the-main-cabin/773446/60 "2016-11-30T19:46:46Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> Wait, I can do that?!
I was told I couldn’t stash my misbehaving child in the cargo hold. The flight crew said I had to carry on my wayward son.
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