Traveling with a Trained Service Animal

Requirements

• You will need to complete the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form found here and at the bo ttom of this page, and submit the form online here, 48 hours before your flight.
• If you are unable to submit your form online prior to your flight, you are permitted to bring your completed Form to the ticket counter or the gate on your day of travel to be reviewed and approved. Please allow yourself additional time at the airport prior to departure to ensure our team member have time to review and approve your Form onsite. If our team members are unable to approve your dog to travel as a Service Animal prior to your flights' departure, you will be provided the option to be rebooked on the next available Spirit flight to allow additional time for your documents to be reviewed and approved, or to travel with your animal as a pet (click here for our pet policy). We strongly recommend submitting your Form in advance here to avoid any potential disruptions to your travel plans.
• Please note: The U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form is a government document. It is a Federal crime to knowingly and willfully make materially false entries, statements or representations on this form. Any suspicion of a fraudulent form will be forwarded to the appropriate government body for review and appropriate action.  

• The form must be dated on or after the date you purchased your flight.
• Be completed in its entirety.
• Include updated rabies vaccinations.
• One form must be submitted for every new reservation and for each dog if travelling with two.

• A dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including psychiatric service animals.

• Animal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, therapy animal and service animals in training are not considered service animals to travel onboard our aircraft as such.
• If your animal does not meet the above definition of a trained service dog, it may be eligible to travel in accordance with our Pet Policy.

• Credible verbal assurance that your dog is trained to perform a task for a disability must be obtained by a Spirit team member at the airport.

Emotional Support Animals (ESANs)

• All ESANs are now welcome onboard as pets if they meet our pet requirements found here.  

• Only dogs will be accepted as trained service or psychiatric service animals.
• If traveling with a cat, bird or rabbit, they may travel as pets if they meet the requirements found here.

Number Limit

• We only allow two (2) dogs per Guest.
• If traveling with more than 2 service dogs, you may be able to travel with the third as a pet if it meets our requirements found here. 

• A service animal vest, harness, ID card, or registration are no longer accepted as the sole indication an animal is a trained service dog. 

• If at any time the dog shows signs that it will cause a disruption in the cabin, it has not been trained to function as a service animal in a public setting, or any signs of aggression, it will not be allowed to travel. Examples of disruptive/aggressive behavior include, but are not limited to: 
  • • Growling 
    • Lunging 
    • Barking 
    • Biting 
    • Jumping on other Guests 
    • Relieving itself on-board the aircraft or in the airport other than a designated animal relief area 
    • Emitting a strong odor 

• There may be additional documentation and requirements.
• We, or your travel agent, may be able to help you find out what additional documentation or requirements you may need for your destination. Please feel free to give our Spirit Guest Service a call at 1-855-SAVE-555 (1-855-728-3555). 
• Keep in mind, it is up to you to ensure that the requirements are met. 
• If traveling to or from one of the following countries, please visit the CDC website regarding the travel restrictions and requirements for returning back to the U.S.
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Peru

• Trained Service dogs cannot sit in an emergency exit row.

• • The dog cannot be larger than a 2-year-old child.
  • The animal nor any part of the animal can be placed on an aircraft seat at any time. 
  • You may not occupy any seat equipped with an inflatable seat belt for the dog’s safety.

• • It must remain in your foot space.
  • The dog cannot block an aisle or extend into the aisle or other area that must remain clear for emergency evacuation.
  • The dog cannot extend into another Guest’s foot space. 
  • If you believe your dog needs more space than one seat allows, you are welcome to purchase either an additional seat/reservation or upgrade to one of our Big Front Seats. If you choose not to do so, we will attempt to accommodate you as best as possible upon your arrival to the airport, but we cannot guarantee space for your animal. 

• All airports have pet relief areas.
• For the location of animal relief areas, please feel free to review the appropriate airport’s website or ask one of our agents at the airport. Our agents are happy to help. 

• Therapy animals are animals which provide comfort to members of the public and are not trained to perform a specific task for an individual related to a disability. These animals may be eligible to travel in accordance with our Pet Policy for a charge.  
• We do not accept service animals that are in training, but these animals may be eligible to travel in accordance with our Pet Policy for a charge.