Effective for travel beginning September 17, 2018, Southwest is changing our policies for accepting emotional support animals (ESAs) on our flights. A Customer must still comply with all documentation requirements set forth by federal regulations. Additionally, Southwest is implementing the following changes:
- The ESA must be either a dog or a cat.
- Each Customer may bring only one ESA on the flight.
- The ESA must be in a carrier that can be stowed under the seat in front of the Customer or on a leash at all times while in the airport and onboard the aircraft.
Also, the following changes are being made in regard to trained service animals:
Effective for travel beginning September 17, 2018, Southwest is making changes to our existing policies for accommodating Customers with disabilities who seek to travel with a fully trained service animal in the cabin. Customers with disabilities seeking to travel with a trained service animal must still provide credible verbal assurance that the animal is a trained service animal. Additionally, note the following changes to our policy:
- Southwest will only accept the following species of animals in our cabin as trained service animals – dogs, cats and miniature horses.
- Southwest will accept fully trained psychiatric service animals as trained service animals