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Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

The cabins of most commercial airplanes are confined spaces with passengers seated closely together. Animals onboard may pose risks to safety, health, and well-being of passengers and crew, and may affect the safe operation of the aircraft. Accommodations for passengers traveling with service animals must balance these concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 sets minimum standards for service animals:

• Passengers traveling with a service animal may be required to complete forms attesting that the animal:
  • Is individually trained to perform tasks assisting a physical or mental disability
  • Is trained to behave in public
  • Is in good health
  • Can either avoid relieving itself on long flights or do so in a sanitary manner
• Airlines may limit the number of service animals traveling with a single passenger.
• Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless this interferes with their work or the passenger’s disability prevents it. In such cases, other effective means of control (voice, signal) must be permitted.
• Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals by airline carriers.
• Service dogs cannot be restricted based solely on breed or type.
• Standardized documentation of the service animal’s behavior, training, and health may be required.
• For flights longer than 8 hours, airlines may request a form attesting the animal will not need to relieve itself or can do so without health or sanitation risks.

Travelers should contact their maritime company for specific service animal policies, as some cruise lines may not accommodate animals, service dogs in training, or emotional support dogs.

When traveling aboard ships with service dogs, consider the following:

• Many countries have strict entry requirements for animals, including vaccination and parasite treatment rules.
• Some countries do not recognize 3-year rabies vaccines; annual vaccination may be required.
• Service animals may need documentation such as import permits or licenses, even if they do not disembark.
• Breed restrictions may apply, potentially preventing boarding or disembarking at certain ports.
• All required documents, including vaccination records, should be hand-carried and not packed in baggage.

Regarding entry to the United States with foreign-vaccinated service dogs:

• Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months do not require arrival at an Animal Care Facility (ACF).
• Dogs from high-risk countries must have a reservation at and arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered ACF for examination and revaccination, unless arriving by seaport and meeting all other requirements.
• Airlines and ACFs should be informed in advance to expedite examination and revaccination for service dogs.
• Service dogs must meet the regulatory definition under 14 CFR 382.3 and travel with the person they assist.
• To avoid quarantine, dogs should have a valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory before arrival.
• Foreign-vaccinated service dogs arriving by seaport do not require an ACF reservation if traveling with the person they assist and meeting all requirements.
• Dogs from high-risk countries may not enter the U.S. at land border crossings.
• U.S.-vaccinated service dogs returning from high-risk countries must have a valid Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form and CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing the arrival port.
• Foreign-vaccinated service dogs aboard cruise ships can enter at U.S. seaports if they present:
  • Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
  • Valid rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory
  • CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing the arrival port

Emotional Support Animals

Seaborne Airlines welcomes travelers with service or emotional support animals in the aircraft cabin if they meet certain requirements:

• Veterinary Health Assessment
• Confirmation of Behavior for Emotional Support or Psychiatric Service Animal
• Licensed Health Care Professional Assessment for Emotional Support or Psychiatric Service Animal (if applicable)

If traveling with an Emotional Support or Psychiatric Service Animal, documentation must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to travel via email to Seaborne Airlines at reservations@seaborneairlines.com.

This helps avoid having your service animal travel as a pet (mascot), which would require meeting all applicable requirements and fees.

Requests for Emotional Support or Psychiatric Service Animals are not confirmed until the animal can be visually verified at the airport check-in counter.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

• Maximum of 10 animal containers allowed per aircraft in the cabin. Please call Reservations to confirm.
• Soft kennels are not permitted inside the cabin on the seaplane.
• Animals may not occupy a passenger seat as cabin-seat baggage.
• After check-in, the animal must remain in its container at all times in the boarding area and on board.
• The container must be stored under the seat directly in front of the passenger.
• Passengers are limited to one animal container each.

For your pet’s safety, travel is not allowed if the current or forecasted temperature exceeds 85°F at any location on the itinerary.

In Cargo Carrier Details

Acceptance of animals is subject to the following conditions:

• Mention traveling with a pet to the Reservations Agent at time of booking.
• Animals must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless, and require no attention during transit.
• Animals must be confined in an approved container subject to Carrier inspection before acceptance.
• Passengers assume full responsibility for compliance with laws, customs, and regulations of the destination.
• Maximum number of animal containers per aircraft: 2 in cargo, 10 in cabin (call Reservations to confirm).

Seaplane Pet Travel: Pets are only allowed in the cargo hold in a hard kennel. Soft kennels are not permitted inside the cabin.

• Accepted kennel sizes due to cargo hold size:
  • Small hard kennel: 21" L × 16" W × 15" H
  • Medium hard kennel: 32" L × 22.5" W × 24" H
• One animal per container, except two kittens or two puppies under 10 weeks may share a container.
• Containers must be supplied by the passenger.
• Containers must be leak proof, structurally sound, free of broken wires or protrusions, and properly ventilated.
• Containers must allow the pet to stand, sit, and change positions comfortably.
• Containers must never be locked to allow access in emergencies.

• Animals are not permitted with unaccompanied children or to occupy a passenger seat as cabin-seat baggage.
• After check-in, animals must remain in their containers at all times in the boarding area and on board.
• Containers must be stored under the seat directly in front of the passenger.
• Passengers are limited to one animal container each.
• Pets cannot travel if current or forecasted temperature exceeds 85°F at any point on the itinerary.

Kennel Guidelines for Cargo Pets:

• Use an approved shipping kennel that complies with USDA guidelines.
• Kennel must provide enough room for the pet to stand and sit erect without the head touching the top, and to turn around and lie down naturally.
• Approved kennels are available at pet supply stores.
• Kennels must load upright in the aircraft bin as required by the Animal Welfare Act and IATA Live Animal Regulations.

USDA Requirements for Kennels:

• Constructed of rigid plastic, wood, metal, or comparable strength material with solid roofs; no cardboard kennels allowed.
• Wheels must be removable or made inoperable (if applicable).
• Ventilation openings on three sides plus the door opening.
• Functional handles on the exterior to prevent tilting and direct contact with animals.
• Close securely but not locked to allow emergency access.
• Display "Live Animal" labels in 1-inch letters on top and at least one side.
• Display upright arrow labels indicating correct kennel position.
• Contain bedding, shredded paper, or towels to absorb accidents.
• Contain two dishes (food and water) attached inside the kennel door, accessible without opening the door.
• Display feeding instructions and food if applicable, affixed to the top along with shipper and consignee information.