Federal regulations related to air travel require that service and emotional support animals be reasonably accommodated on all flights.  Airlines may ask passengers who use service or emotional support animals whether the animal is a service animal, and what work or tasks the animal performs for the benefit of the passenger.

Additionally, passengers who wish to bring an emotional support animal onto a flight may be required to produce a note, less than one year old, signed by a licensed mental health professional, stating that he or she has a recognized psychiatric disability that requires an emotional support animal.  Exotic animals, such as snakes or spiders, do not have to be accommodated at all.  The U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for airlines specify that for air travel, a service or emotional support animal is “solely the responsibility of the passenger with a disability whom the animal is accompanying.”