Are you planning to bring your pet along for your upcoming trip? The Spirit Airlines pet policy allows you to travel with a wider variety of pets compared to other airlines. The Spirit pet policy allows you to bring certain pets on board, including domestic dogs, domestic cats, small household birds, and small domestic rabbits.
Before you book your flight and bring your pet to the airport, it’s important to understand that there are specific rules and regulations you need to follow. I will provide you with all the essential information about traveling with your pet on Spirit Airlines.
Overview Spirit Airlines Pet Policy
- Passengers can only bring specific types of pets in the airplane cabin.
- On domestic flights within the United States, as well as flights to/from Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, only domesticated dogs, cats, household birds, and rabbits are allowed in the cabin. Birds such as farm poultry, game birds, flightless birds, birds of prey, and waterfowl are not typically kept as household pets.
- The fee for bringing a pet on a domestic flight with Spirit Airlines is USD 125 each way.
- Puppies and kittens need to be completely weaned and at least 8 weeks old.
- Passengers who have disabilities can bring trained service dogs with them on domestic and international flights. This service is provided at no cost.
- You can bring up to 6 pet carriers on domestic flights, including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Every passenger is allowed to bring one pet carrier. Each carrier can accommodate up to two pets.
- Make sure that the total weight of your pet and the carrier does not go over 40 pounds (18.14 kilograms).
- When traveling on domestic flights, you usually don’t need a health certificate, unless you’re going to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Note: if you want to bring a pet with you during spirit airlines. Then you can add a pet through the Spirit Airlines Manage My Booking option.
Pet Policy for Domestic Flights
- In-Cabin Mandatory
- According to Spirit Airlines’ pet policy, pets can only be in the cabin and must stay in their carriers at all times.
- Pets are not allowed in the checked baggage hold or cargo section.
- We only accept dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds that are kept as pets.
- Please note that birds and rabbits are not allowed on flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Carry-on Baggage Fee
- Carrier Requirements
- According to Spirit Airlines’ policy for pet carriers, an approved carrier must meet the following requirements:
- You can only use soft carriers or containers for your pet. However, the carrier should not allow the pet’s head to remain outside.
- Make sure the pet carrier is not bigger than 18 inches in length, 14 inches in width, and 9 inches in height. This is equivalent to 45.72 centimeters in length, 35.56 centimeters in width, and 22.86 centimeters in height.
- The heaviest a pet can weigh, including the carrier, is 40 pounds or 18.14 kilograms.
- Make sure the pet carrier is big enough for your pet to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
- The pet carrier needs to meet the government’s safety regulations for transportation.
- Make sure the pet carrier can fit under the front seat.
- How much does Spirit Airlines charge for bringing pets to the cabin? The cost of bringing a pet in a carrier on Spirit Airlines is $125 per pet.
- The minimum age for cats and dogs as pets is 8 weeks or older.
- You can bring a maximum of 6 pets on each flight.
Pet Reservations
Online bookings for pets are not possible. Also, bookings for pets are taken first-come, first-served, so book early.
- Pet Travel Forms/ Documents
- There is no need for a health certificate unless you are going to the U.S.V.I.
- Pets that fly to Puerto Rico will need proof that they have been vaccinated against rabies.
- Spirit Airlines’ pet policy says that emotional support animals (ESAs) will not be able to fly for free and will have to pay to do so.
- Only trained dogs can travel for free in the passenger area with their owners.
- Each person can bring one pet carrier.
- Pet Travel Restrictions:
- Route Restrictions: Pets are not allowed on planes that go to other countries.
- Restrictions on animals: These pets are also not allowed:
- Birds of prey and large birds
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Insects and spiders
- Lions, tigers, and bears
- Seating Restrictions:
- When you have a pet with you, you can’t sit in the first row or near an exit.
- Other Restrictions:
- The pet must always remain inside the carrier.
- Do not give your pet food or liquids during the flight.
- Never sedate your creature before traveling.
- During the travel, your pet should be harmless, free of scent, and require no attention.
Pet Policy for International Flights
Spirit Airlines only allows service dogs on their international flights. They do not accept any other pets.
- Emotional help Animals are no longer allowed to fly for free. Instead, they must follow Spirit Airlines’ pet policy, which has many rules.
- Dogs that have been trained to help people can travel for free in the cabin with their owners.
Spirit Airlines Service Animal Policy
The rules of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have changed, so Spirit Airlines has changed its pet policy to match them. Under the new policy, only trained dogs and mental service animals count as service animals. People who have disabilities can bring up to two trained service dogs into the house for free.
Documentation:
- Before you travel, make sure to download and fill out the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
- To submit the form online, make sure to do it 48 hours (which is equivalent to 2 full days) before the scheduled departure time of your flight.
- You need to fill out the form completely and make sure to include the most recent information about your pet’s rabies vaccination.
- If the flight is 8 hours or more, the owner needs to fill out a form called the U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form. This form is used to confirm that the service animal will not go to the bathroom on the plane, or if it does, it won’t cause any hygiene problems.
- When traveling internationally, the owner must follow the specific requirements of each country.
Seating Requirements:
According to Spirit Airlines Seat Selection Policy, If you are traveling with a service dog, you are not allowed to sit in an emergency exit row or a seat with an inflatable seat belt. This is because it is important to prioritize safety in these situations.
Other Conditions:
- Can be a dog only.
- At least four months old.
- Should have a lot of training. Spirit Airlines’ pet policy says that dogs in training must be able to fly.
- Must be placed at the feet of the passenger or on the lap if the child is smaller than 2 years old.
- Cannot take a seat for a guest.
- Must be with the person the whole time.
Spirit Airlines Pet Policy for Emotional Support Animal
After January 11, 2021, you won’t be able to bring your emotional support animal for free if you booked your flight after that date. This rule is in line with what the U.S. Department of Transportation says must be done. Spirit Airlines’ pet policy says that if you want to bring an emotional support animal with you, you must make a paid ticket and the weight and size of your emotional support animal must be within the limits:
- Carrier Size: 18 x 14 x 9in (45.72 x 35.56 x 22.86cm)
- Carrier Weight: 40lb/18.14kg
FAQs
What are Spirit Airlines Pet Fees?
On domestic trips, Spirit charges USD 125 per way for pets. On foreign flights, pets are not allowed. But trained service dogs can fly for free with their owners in the passenger cabin.
Are Pets Allowed on Spirit Airlines?
Spirit Airlines allows cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds that are kept as pets to travel in the cabin on flights within the United States, as well as flights to and from Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Spirit Airlines does not allow pet birds and rabbits on flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
When you bring your pet with you on the airplane, the heaviest your pet can be, including the carrier, is 40 pounds or 18.1 kilograms. The pet carrier should not be bigger than 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches tall.
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