No vacation is complete without every member of the family taking part – including your pet. Air travel is becoming more convenient for pet owners with more and more people bringing their furry friends with them wherever they go. Though taking your pet is allowed, the options and policies between airlines may differ, so it’s important to be aware of the specific guidelines for your chosen airline. So, let’s take a deeper look into the pet travel policies of Frontier Airlines.
No vacation is complete without every member of the family taking part, and that includes your pet. Air travel is becoming more convenient for pet owners, with more and more people bringing their furry friends with them wherever they go.
Though taking your pet is typically allowed on domestic flights, the options and policies between airlines may differ, so it’s important to be aware of the specific guidelines for your chosen airline.
Frontier Airlines Pet Fees
Expenses can quickly add up when flying, and an important aspect of planning any vacation, work trip, or family visit is understanding the fees involved. Frontier Airlines charges $99 per animal in the cabin (each way).
However, service animals are allowed to travel for free, as long as you follow their rules and regulations both before and after the flight. Emotional support animals will be counted as regular pets and must follow guidelines for all pets.
Most animals are permitted in the cabin, including dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and small birds. International flights only permit domesticated cats and dogs, although you must also make sure your pet has the right papers to be permitted entrance to the country.
This $99 fee each way is one of the cheapest options among airlines. Your animal must fly under the seat in front of you in a carrier no larger than 18” X 14” X 8”, and this carrier can be brought on the plane in addition to another carry-on bag you may have. This means that those with larger pets may have to figure out another arrangement.
Permitted Animals
Frontier permits a wide variety of small animals, including domesticated dogs, cats, small birds, hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs, and birds on all of their domestic flights. International flights, as mentioned, only permit domesticated dogs and cats. Frontier no longer allows ESAs to fly for free and they must adhere to normal pet guidelines.
To be eligible you’ll have to fill out three pieces of paperwork, detailed below and found here on Frontier’s Website. The paperwork includes a medical/mental health professional form, a veterinary health form, and a passenger acknowledgement form.
Keep in mind that Frontier Airlines legally holds the right to deny passage to any animals that are determined to be aggressive, out of control, scratching, urinating, defecating, or distracting. If an animal is barking, not controlled by a leash, not contained in a crate, biting, lunging, or whining, they may be considered to be a nuisance and will not be allowed to board the flight, even with the proper documentation.
To avoid this, simply be prepared, and make sure your dog or cat is ready and well trained for the trip. That way, you can ensure your service animal may join you on your Frontier Airlines flight.
Flying with Larger Animals
With a maximum crate size of 18” X 14” X 8”, you’ll have to make separate arrangements for your pet if you have a larger dog. Pets on Frontier Airlines are required to fly in the cabin, meaning they can’t be checked as baggage.
If you were planning to have your pet fly in the cargo hold in a crate, or you were hoping to have your pet fly without a crate, you’ll have to use another airline.
Required Documents & Forms
Any service animal owner knows it’s important to have the right documents and forms, no matter where you’re planning on taking your animal: to a new home, on the bus, at work, or on a flight. When traveling on Frontier Airlines, they require that you fill out and provide completed paperwork for two documents.
Animal Behavior Acknowledgement
The first document, the Animal Behavior Acknowledgement, recognizes that you are liable for your service pet’s conduct. It also notes that you have properly trained the animal to behave appropriately for the flight in tight quarters around other people and that you understand and agree that should your pet act inappropriately, they will be removed from and/or not permitted to be on the flight. This ensures your pet is ready for the flight and will not cause a stir or disrupt the flight.
Mental Health Professional Information
The second document, Medical/Mental Health Professional Information, requires your physician or mental health specialist to sign off on your physical or mental condition(s) that proves your need for a service animal.
This document verifies that you have a need for the animal, that you are under the care of a qualified physician, gives the date it was issued, and also states the type of certification your physician or mental health specialist has.
Submitting Documents to Frontier Airlines
These documents are due at least 48 hours prior to your flight, but once they are provided to Frontier Airlines, they are good for a year. That’s good news for frequent fliers: you won’t have to update the paperwork often.
However, you must let Frontier Airlines know at least 48 hours in advance if you plan to bring a service animal on your flight so that they can properly accommodate you and your animal. If you do not let them know at least 48 hours in advance, your pet may still be eligible to fly under their Pet Policy, but you may incur an extra fee.
Special Rules for Service Animals
Traveling with a pet is not considered the same as traveling with a service animal. Frontier allows service animals onboard their flights at no extra cost and the animal can fly out of a carrier on the floor by your feet. Some documentation, including identification, may be required when checking in, but a health certificate is not necessary.
We can help you identify and prepare all the travel documentation you’ll need for a smooth and safe flight with Service dogs.
Flying with a Pet
When it comes to traveling with an animal, keeping them calm is key; and the more relaxed you and your pet are, the smoother things will go. Busy airports and flights can be an overwhelming experience for a dog, cat, or even yourself. That’s why it’s important to make sure your pet is as relaxed as possible when traveling through a hectic environment.
Here are some tips on keeping both you and your pet calm throughout your trip.
Preparing for the Flight
- Don’t feed or water your pet for a few hours prior to the flight; this will prevent their need to urinate or defecate during the flight. This will also ensure your pets will be less likely to whine and less likely to have to be removed due to urinating or defecating in the airport or on the airplane. You can give your pet a small portion of food or water once in the crate and on the plane to help them relax.
- Schedule times to take your dog or cat to go potty, especially during long layovers. Make sure your pet uses designated pet areas as close to your flight as possible to prevent an accident.
- Keep your dog or cat contained, either by using a leash or having them contained in a crate.
- Bring treats, blankets, and/or toys that will keep your dog or cat comfortable and relaxed during the flight.
On the Plane
- When you board the plane, your pet may be kept either on your lap, or they may be placed at your feet (If you prefer this method, it is recommended you keep them in a small kennel). This is the policy as long as the animal fits in a crate of 18” X 14” X 8”.
- To respect airplane etiquette, your pet should not occupy another seat, block the aisle, or block any of the exit aisles. Frontier Airlines also mentions that animals should not be placed on the seatback tray tables or eat directly off of the tray tables.
After you Land
- When transitioning at airports, make sure to have your animal contained, whether that be by leash or by kennel. Frontier Airlines also notes on their website that it is important to keep your pet properly secured if you must travel by taxi or shuttle between terminals.
- Whether or not you are allowed to let your animal out of their kennel at the airport depends on that airports rules, so be sure to ask beforehand.
- While at the terminal or airport, it is important to bring your dog to a designated area to let them relieve themselves. All airports in the United States are required to provide an animal relief area past security, and if you ask a Frontier Airlines employee, they will be happy to show you or guide you to these specified areas.
Teach your Support Animal Proper Airline Behavior
When training your dog, it is best to always use positive reinforcement. This is especially important on airplanes, as they must respond well to your commands, be potty trained, and respond well around other passengers.
Nearly every airline holds the right to deny passage to you or your dog if they deem it necessary, and Frontier Airlines’ pet policy declares that they reserve the right to deny transportation to both you and your support animal if they feel that your pet may be aggressive or negatively affect other passengers.
According to the Frontier Airlines pet policy, inappropriate behavior is classified as:
- Growling at other passengers or crew
- Jumping on other passengers
- Urinating or defecating in the airport (specifically the gate area) or cabin
- Barking excessively, unless it is to alert others of a dire medical emergency or meet its handler’s needs
- Eating off or standing/sitting on top of seatback tray tables
- Lunging at other passengers or crew
- Acting aggressively and biting other passengers or crew
- Whining excessively
- Acting uncontrollably
If your animal meets any of these criteria, Frontier Airlines may refuse to let you and your pet board a flight. That is why it is vitally important to work with your animal prior to the trip to ensure that they will behave appropriately.
Flying International with a Pet on Frontier Airlines
Although with Frontier Airlines you can fly internationally with any domestic cat or dog for $99 one way, where it gets a bit trickier is at customs. It’s important to check local laws, but doing the following should be a good start when prepping for any international trip:
- Vaccination: Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and has the proper documentation to prove their record.
- Health Certificate: Many but not all countries require a certification from a USDA-certifed vet that your pet is in good health.
- Microchipping: some countries require your pet to have an up-to-date ISO microchip, which is different than the microchips used stateside.
- Rabies Consideration: All dogs in the US should have a rabies vaccine, but you’ll need to prove it when traveling internationally. If you’re coming from a country with high rabies incidence, you may have to quarantine and or have your dog take a rabies test upon arrival.
Taking Off with Your Pet
If you meet all the requirements, provide adequate notice and paperwork, have a pet that acts appropriately and respectfully, you’ll be set to have a smooth, easy flight on Frontier Airlines.
Need our help? No problem. Our incredible team is ready to secure the proper documentation and get in touch with legal help.