Alaska Airlines has adopted a new policy on the transport of service animals, following substantial changes to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rules on the topic.
Effective January 11, 2021, Alaska Airlines will accept only service dogs which are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Emotional support animals will no longer be accepted.
Alaska will continue to accept emotional support animals under our current policy for reservations booked prior to January 11, 2021, for flights on or before February 28, 2021. No emotional support animals will be transported after February 28, 2021.
According to the policy, Alaska Airlines welcomes service animals and emotional support animals on Alaska Airlines. To ensure that both you and your animal travel easily and comfortably, please review the following information, which is applicable to both our current policy and our new policy:
- Trained service animals or emotional support animals travel for free.
- The size of the animal must not exceed the footprint or personal space of the guest’s seat or foot area during the entire flight.
- Animals must harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and onboard the aircraft.
- The minimum age for an animal is four (4) months old.
- Alaska suggests that you not overwater or overfeed your animal on the day of travel.
- Keep this list of airport animal relief areas handy.
- Animals are expected to be seated on the floor space below a guest’s seat or, if no larger than an infant, seated in the guest’s lap, if needed to accommodate your disability.
- Animals are expected to behave appropriately in the airport and on the aircraft.
- Animals may not occupy a seat or sit on a tray table at any time.
- Animals may not obstruct the aisles or areas that must remain clear for emergency evacuation.
When traveling with a service animal, Alaska will do everything possible to seat you in a row with the most leg room within your class of service. For safety reasons guests traveling with a service animal are not permitted to sit in an emergency exit row. You are recommended to choose a window seat, so the service animal is safe from foot traffic.
Alaska Airlines encourages all guests to check in at least one hour prior to departure. Please advise the customer service agent upon arrival at the airport you are traveling with a service animal to ensure we have your animal accounted for onboard the aircraft.
If your trip includes Hawaii or international travel, please also review the additional information by clicking the link below for additional documentation requirements and recommendations.
If you encounter any issues with your service animal at the airport or on board, please ask to speak to a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). These trained Alaska representatives are ready to assist guests with accessibility needs and protect your rights when traveling by air.
Review the entire page here carefully to understand the requirements that are applicable to your travel.