Traveling with your ESA has never been easier! The Frontier Airlines ESA policy acknowledges that traveling with an emotional support animal is intended to be a therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, if you do not prepare properly your emotional support animal may cause you more distress than comfort.
While Frontier airlines allow pets, emotional support animals, and service animals to fly the skies, there are some requirements when it comes to emotional support dogs. So before you choose to travel with Frontier, make sure you know the Frontier Airlines ESA policy well!
**Please note, as of January 11, 2021, under new regulations passed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the allowance of Emotional Support Animals onboard flights may vary from airline to airline. Please contact your airline of choice for their most up-to-date policies on Emotional Support Animals.
Frontier Airlines’ Pet Fee for Non-ESAs
Animals that are not considered emotional support dogs, or service dogs, will require a fee when traveling with you. They must also travel within an airline-approved carrier that fits beneath the seat in front of you.
Pets are never allowed to be checked as baggage on Frontier, and thus will never be placed in the cargo hold (where the checked baggage is stored). The cargo compartment can be dangerous for pets, especially short-nosed dog breeds, so animals should be kept in the aircraft cabin for their safety.
You will pay a $75 fee each direction for your pet. In addition to your pet’s carrier, you are allowed one personal item or carry-on baggage at an additional fee (amount is not disclosed by the airline). Also be aware that while Frontier does not require a health certificate, you may be required to have one at your destination. Certain states require a health certificate when arriving with a pet.
Bring and Fill Out The Required Documents/Forms! One of the Most Important Steps!
You will not be able to board your flight without the proper documentation. If you have a service animal you must provide a verbal explanation of your pet’s trained behavior, some type of equipment with identification as a service animal, or an animal identification card. If you have an emotional support animal you must provide an ESA letter.
ESA Letter
When traveling with an emotional support animal, it is important to understand that the requirements are different than a service dog. According to Frontier Airlines ESA Policy, you must provide an ESA letter when checking in to your flight.
Your ESA letter must include documentation that a mental health professional is writing the letter, acknowledge that you have a mental health or emotional disability, as well as the date, type, and state issuance of the mental health professional’s license.
Obtaining Your ESA Letter
To obtain your ESA letter, allowing you to fly with your emotional support animal, use CertPet’s simple process. CertaPet has licensed mental health professionals with experience writing ESA letters, who can assess your mental health disability and issue an ESA letter.
The pre-screening is simple, fast, and convenient to complete online!
A List of ESAs That are Permitted on Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines ESA policy allows domesticated dogs and cats. Animals that are improperly groomed, or emit an unpleasant scent, may also restricted.
Breed Restrictions
- The ESA must be either a dog or a cat
- Only one ESA is permitted per person
- A minimum of 48 hours advance notice must be given when bringing an ESA on board, through submission of forms required by Frontier Airlines
- The animal must be contained at all times on board and in the airport, either in a carrier that can fit under the seat or on a leash
ACAA and ESAs: What You Need to Know
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is the basis of Frontier Airlines ESA Policy. The ACAA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and allows them access to their physical disability service dogs, emotional support animals, and psychiatric service animals.
The ACAA does allow airlines to place certain requirements on emotional support animals, if you have an ESA it is important to understand these guidelines.
CertaPet’s Frontier Airlines ESA Fact Sheet
To get all the information and more in one place, we created an emotional support animal fact sheet when cruising in the sky with your ESA. Easy to download so you don’t have to forget anything!
Alert Frontier Airlines You Will Be Bringing Your ESA!
When flying with an ESA, Frontier Airlines ESA policy does not require passengers with emotional support animals to call ahead of their flight to confirm with the airline. It would still be advisable to call and confirm your ESA with the airline, as there is no online registration for service or emotional support animals.
When to Call Frontier Airlines in Advance for Your ESA
While it is not required, it would be beneficial to contact Frontier Airlines prior to your flight to confirm your emotional support animal and ensure you have all the correct paperwork. Contact Frontier at least 48 hours prior to your flight, so you can make the necessary arrangements if you have forgotten any paperwork.
Know Frontier Airlines’ Pet Carrier Requirements
While smaller emotional support animals may fit on your lap and are permitted to do so, it is preferable to have a carrier that you can place your pet in. Frontier Airlines ESA policy requires pet container to meet their guidelines, or they will not be permitted in the aircraft cabin.
What’s Acceptable
Carriers that are accepted by Frontier Airlines ESA policy, and pet policy, must meet certain requirements. The carrier should be large enough that your pet can lie comfortably, stand, and turn around. A carrier can be up to 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches tall.
What’s Restricted
Any carrier over the maximum 18” length, 14” width, and 8” height will be barred entry to the flight. This is because the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. You may not sit in the first row, or the exit row, for this reason.
“Where Does My ESA Go Once I’m on the Plane?”
While you are on the plane, Frontier Airlines ESA policy allows your emotional support animal to be under the seat in front of you in an approved carrier, or on your lap. If the dog is on your lap, it must not block the aisle or any other seats.
Prepare Your ESA For Flight!
Your emotional support animal may not need paperwork confirming their training, but Frontier Airlines ESA policy clearly states their right to refuse to accommodate animals that appear to be a danger to flight attendants or other passengers, or cause disruption in the cabin.
The same policy applies for service animals. To ensure your travels are met without inconvenience, socialize and train your dog prior to attempting travel with them.
Teach Your Dog The Proper Behavior When in Public and on the Airplane
Your emotional support animal should be properly trained and socialized. The best-case scenario is to introduce your dog to new situations at a young age, and pair with reinforcement. If your dog seems uncomfortable, do not attempt to push them faster than they can naturally progress.
Be patient, and remember that every positive interaction will make the next outing more likely to be successful as well.
They’re There For Your Comfort, Not Disturbance
Your ESA should be well trained and should not cause disruption on the flight. Even if you are not prevented from entering the flight, a disruptive dog is not providing you with comfort!
The animal is there to provide you with emotional support if they are causing you distress they are defeating the purpose of having an ESA in the first place.
Read ESA Owners’ First-Hand Flying Experience on Frontier Airlines
Sometimes the best way to judge what to expect is by viewing the experiences of other customers. The following are firsthand accounts of customers who have flown on Frontier with an animal in the past.
“So far, I’ve had pretty good experiences with Frontier. Although I have had one issue where my flight was rescheduled that made me have a delay, that was fine because they did compensate me for it and still allowed me to fly. I recently had to move across the country and I flew with Frontier. I have two small emotional support cats that I only keep at home, but I didn’t want to take them on a 14-hour drive, frontier happily allowed me to bring them (although they both have to fit in the same crate.) which isn’t that hard. Thankfully.” ~Christy, BringFido Reviews
“I flew with my Emotional Support dog (mini-schnauzer) for the first time, and I was incredibly nervous about the carrier situation since their under-seat area is a little smaller than other airlines. However, the flight attendant told me I could keep him out on my lap.”~Laura, BringFido Reviews
Are You Traveling Internationally? Check Out Location-Specific Resources to See If Your ESA is Allowed
Frontier Airlines provides a relatively extensive set of guidelines on their website regarding traveling internationally with pets. Another wonderful resource for international flights is the US Department of Agriculture’s APHIS Pet Travel section. Visiting these resources is extremely important, as other countries may have different health requirements than the airline does, and certain documentation may be necessary when you arrive.
Regardless of if you are traveling with an emotional support animal for general anxiety, if you have a service dog for post-traumatic stress disorder, or if you are simply traveling with a pet, it is important to prepare yourself and your pet for travel. Being equipped for any potential complication will ensure you have a smooth, stress-free flight!
Check out Frontier Airlines Pet Policy for more information if traveling with a non-ESA.