How to take your service animal on a plane

AT THE AIRPORT: Consider arriving early to make sure you have extra time if paperwork problems or other issues arise. You won’t be separated from your service animal during the security

process, but be prepared for collars, leashes, harnesses and other animal accessories to be screened. According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines, items that are

needed to maintain control of your dog or indicate the animal is on duty don’t need to be removed to be screened. Don’t forget about bathroom breaks for your animal companion before takeoff

and after landing. Animal relief areas can be hard to find, so call or check your airport’s website for location information in advance. Apple users can download the free Where to Go app to

find animal relief area locations at U.S. airports. Dow also recommends taking advantage of airline assistance to navigate your departure and arrival airports, which you can request when

booking your flight. ON THE PLANE: According to the updated regulations, airlines can require service animals to fit within your foot space (or, in some cases, on your lap) on the aircraft

and remain harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times. If your animal is too large to be accommodated without encroaching on another passenger’s space, airlines must offer you the

opportunity to move to another seat, if available within your same service class, where the animal will fit instead. Animals can’t block aisles or areas that need to stay clear for safety,

and you may be asked to switch seats if you are seated in the emergency exit row. Also important? Ensuring your animal companion’s comfort on board. “I carefully adjust dog grooming, feeding

amounts and time, and relieving time to make sure my dog is physically comfortable,” Dow says. He also notes that you may want to ask to be seated away from other traveling animals unless

you can confirm “they are trained service animals with competent handlers.” FOR HELP: TSA Cares helps passengers traveling with a service animal with the security screening process. Submit

an online request or call the toll-free helpline (855-787-2227) within 72 hours of your flight to ask for information about the screening process or request support from a TSA passenger

support specialist the day of your flight. If you have an issue with your airline, DOT recommends asking to speak with a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO), the airline’s expert in

disability accommodations. You also can reach the agency’s toll-free hotline for those with disabilities at 800-778-4838. If you believe your rights under the Air Carrier Access Act have

been violated, you can submit an online complaint to the Department of Transportation. According to the agency’s complaint site, the agency investigates every disability complaint received;

your airline is also required to respond. _Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 30, 2019. It has been updated to reflect new information. _