JetBlue Airlines Pet Travel Policy

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As Jetblue allows only 6 pets per flight, So book a flight early to fly with your pet. Jetblue charge $125 each way for a pet. JetBlue is one of the top pet-friendly airlines, allowing emotional support animals, service animals, and domestic pets in the cabin. Despite its pet-friendly approach, the airline has specific guidelines for passengers traveling with different types of animals, and these rules undergo regular updates. If you are considering flying with your pet on JetBlue in the near future, it is essential to carefully follow these guidelines. 

jetblue airlines pet policy and fees

Conditions of traveling with service animals on JetBlue:

Traveling with service animals on JetBlue involves several important considerations:

  • JetBlue exclusively accepts trained service dogs for travel.
  • Service animals must remain under the handler's control at all times, both in the airport and on the plane, and should be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
  • The behavior of service animals will be assessed at the airport to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
  • Notification of service animal travel needs to be completed at least 48 hours before the flight, and it is advisable to initiate this process promptly after booking.
  • Traveling to London Heathrow or London Gatwick with a service dog requires prior approval from the Animal Reception Centre.
  • JetBlue does not accept service animals in training for travel.
  • If you have a large service animal or two service animals, they must fit within the purchased seat's footprint. If not, you may need to purchase additional seats or wait for a flight with sufficient empty seats.
  • Pets are prohibited from using seats and should be on the floor, unless they are small enough to comfortably fit on the traveler's lap without making contact with any part of the seat, tray table, or neighboring passengers.
  • JetBlue crew members can assist with transportation to and from the animal relief area. Travelers can ask airport crew members for assistance.

Rules of traveling with emotional support animals on JetBlue:

JetBlue has outlined their policy for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) on their official website, stating that they welcome healthy, clean, and well-behaved ESAs on board without any extra charges. Notably, JetBlue now only allows dogs, cats, and miniature horses as accepted emotional support or psychiatric service animals, limited to one animal per customer.

JetBlue precisely defines Emotional Support Animals as those providing comfort to passengers, alleviating anxiety, PTSD, or other diagnosed mental disorders. Passengers are permitted only one accepted emotional support animal. To ensure a smooth journey, all ESA travelers must submit specific documents at least 48 hours before departure. 

Documentation required to travel with animals on JetBlue:

This step is important in determining whether you can travel successfully with your emotional support animal on JetBlue. Before the update to the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) policy, JetBlue did not require passengers to submit documentation in advance.

  • Under the new policy, JetBlue mandates the submission of a signed document for both the passenger and the animal at least 48 hours before the flight. The necessary documents consist of:
  • Medical/Mental Health Professional Form: This paperwork outlines your medical condition and the requirements of your emotional support companion.
  • Veterinary Health Form: To bring your pet on the plane, you need to get papers from the vet. These papers include a health certificate and vaccination record. A vet approved by the USDA must fill out these papers within 10 days before you fly.
  • Customer Confirmation of Animal Behavior: While JetBlue does not require specific training for emotional support animals, unlike service dogs, it does insist on animals in the cabin being calm, well-behaved, and not disruptive for the safety of other passengers. You need to give a confirmation of your animal's behavior, and it must be signed by your veterinarian or animal trainer.

Additional documentation may be required at the airport:

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands mandate vaccination documentation for admitting animals to their destinations. International locations also have specific vaccination and documentation requirements, which can be checked using the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel tool. However, it is important to note that these destination-specific requirements do not override JetBlue's policies.

Travelers are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary documentation for their service animals. If the proper notification processes are not followed, passengers can bring or request the US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the airport for an onsite review and assessment with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO).

How to make a JetBlue reservation with your pet?

Bringing your pet on JetBlue comes with a fee of $125 each way, and you can add this during the booking process in the Extras section. Each traveler can bring a maximum of two pets, each in its own carrier. If you want to bring a second pet, you'll need an extra seat and pay an additional fee.

Since only six pets are allowed on each flight, it is a good idea to book early to make sure there's space for your pet. Pets are not allowed in Mint, which is our premium cabin.

For a more comfortable trip, it is recommended to choose a window or aisle seat. But remember, you won't get assigned to a bulkhead or an exit row seat or any seat meant for under-seat storage.

Pets can't travel on interline/codeshare bookings, no matter where or how you made the booking. Also, it's important to know that unaccompanied minors can't travel with a pet

JetBlue in-cabin pet options

JetBlue has established pet policies with the aim of ensuring a positive experience for all passengers, which they refer to as "Travel Petiquette." According to these policies, pets are required to stay inside their carriers both at the airport and throughout the flight, with the carrier positioned under the seat during takeoff and landing.

During the flight, passengers are given the choice to either hold the carrier on their lap or place it on the seat beside them, contingent upon purchasing an additional seat. For layovers where a pet may need to relieve itself, specific airports offer designated pet relief areas. Alternatively, passengers must exit the airport and go through security again.

Notably, pets are not allowed in Mint, which is JetBlue's premium cabin experience. Moreover, bringing pets on interline or codeshare bookings with other airlines is generally prohibited, with the exception of certain American Airlines-operated flights within the United States.

The Booking Process

To facilitate pet travel with JetBlue, you can make reservations through their website, mobile app, or over the phone. When booking your JetBlue flight, you can include the pet fee of $125 each way during the process in the Extras section. Following the booking, You must contact JetBlue customer service at 800-JETBLUE to confirm your pet, sharing details like your pet's name, breed, and weight. TrueBlue members can earn an extra 300 points per segment by including a pet in their booking.

JetBlue allows a maximum of six pets in the cabin on their flights, making it advisable to book early to secure a spot for your pet. Each traveler can bring a maximum of two pets, each in its individual carrier. 

It's essential to be aware that pet vaccination, documentation, and entry requirements can vary, so it's recommended to check the specific requirements for each destination on your itinerary well in advance. Additionally, note that pets are not accepted on flights to Trinidad & Tobago and to or from the U.K./Europe.

Preparation tips for the flight with your pet on JetBlue:

Before traveling or while onboard with your emotional support animal, there are several important requirements to be aware of:

  • Seat: Emotional support animals are not allowed to occupy a seat unless one has been pre-booked for them. Otherwise, they must stay on the floor or sit on your lap. Your pets cannot walk around on their own inside the plane. They also can't sit in special rows or take up space near other people's feet.
  • Carrier: While JetBlue doesn't mandate your ESA to travel in a carrier, it depends on your preferences and needs. For instance, a soft carrier can be a secure option for a nervous kitten. However, all carriers must adhere to the airline's guidelines, with dimensions not exceeding 17" by 12.5" by 8.5". Carriers, whether soft or hard, must fit under the seat in front. For your pet's safety, it is advisable to choose a well-ventilated and leak-proof carrier. JetBlue also offers soft carriers designed to fit under aircraft seats. Attaching an ESA ID card to the carrier is a wise way for crew members to contact you if your pet goes missing.
  • Relief Area: There is no designated pet "toilet" onboard, so it's crucial to address this issue before boarding. Not all airports have specific relief areas for pets, so it's advisable to check with airport staff about the locations of these areas before and after security. Otherwise, your pet will need to relieve itself before entering the airport.

FAQs about JetBlue Pet Travelling Rules

Q1. Does JetBlue allow pets?

Yes, JetBlue permits pets to travel on their flights. They have a policy that is friendly to pets, enabling passengers to bring their small dogs and cats in the cabin, with specific restrictions and guidelines in place.

Q2. Does JetBlue require a health certificate for a pet?

Yes, if you want to bring your pet on a JetBlue flight, you need a health certificate, as required by the rules. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and should have stopped nursing (weaned) for at least 5 days before you travel to your destination.

Q3. How strict is JetBlue pet policy?

JetBlue has a pet policy aimed at guaranteeing the well-being and safety of both travelers and pets. They provide clear instructions on the size and breed of pets permitted in the cabin, along with specifications for pet carriers and necessary documentation. 

Q4. How to quickly add a pet to your flight?

Adding a pet to your flight during the booking process is straightforward. However, it's important to be mindful of and follow the rules and regulations when traveling with your pet.