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Air Travel for GDB Puppies

This page outlines airline policies for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) puppies traveling in-cabin in compliance with the Department of Transportation on the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Baby puppies (8-10 weeks of age) being transported to their raiser territory from GDB can often comfortably fit in a carry-on “Sherpa” bag and have more options for traveling in cabin. 

Note that policies can change; please review the airline’s current website or call their accessibility line for most current guidelines. 

If you have any questions or would like assistance navigating policies for an airline not listed below, please do not hesitate to reach out to your club leader or puppy raising field manager (PFM).

Individual Airline Policies

Alaska Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? YES
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; no fee
  • Special paperwork? The raiser must provide a health certificate or current vaccination record for the puppy in training on official letterhead from the assistance organization or local veterinarian. The dog must be transported by the trainer/raiser. Domestic travel only.
  • Website: Alaska Airlines Accessible Services

United Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? YES
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; $125 “Pet” fee
  • Special paperwork? For puppies in Sherpas, a health certificate is required. For puppies in training: “We only allow service dogs flying with their owners, or service dogs in training who are flying with their trainers, on our flights for free."
  • Website: United Airlines Service Animals

American Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? NO
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; $125 “Pet” fee
  • Special paperwork? The raiser must provide a health certificate for the puppy.
  • Website: American Airlines Service Animals

Delta Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? NO
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; $125 “Pet” fee.
  • Special paperwork? N/A
  • Website: Delta Airlines Service Animals

Frontier Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? NO
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; $99 “Pet” fee
  • Special paperwork? The raiser must provide a health certificate for the puppy.
  • Website: Frontier Airlines Special Services

JetBlue

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? NO
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age of older; $125 “Pet” fee
  • Special paperwork? The raiser must provide a health certificate for the puppy.
  • Website: JetBlue Traveling with Service Animals

Southwest Airlines

Spirit Airlines

  • Service dogs in training allowed in-cabin? NO
  • Baby puppies being transported to raisers in-cabin? YES, 8 weeks of age or older; $110 “Pet” fee
  • Special paperwork? N/A
  • Website: Spirit Traveling with a Trained Service Animal

Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raising Guidebook, all rights reserved. Please see our Terms of Use Guidelines to utilize the contents within.