Your Guide to Travel with Pet with Spirit Airlines

Most pet owners prefer taking their pets along on flights, especially when they travel for a significant number of days. If you are looking for Spirit Pet Travel Policy, this guide will provide you with all the crucial details about traveling with your pets while adhering to the defined regulations. 

As you may already know Spirit Airlines is one of the largest low-cost carriers in the United States, and it allows passengers to travel with pets. 

Read further to take note of travel restrictions, documentation requirements, and much more associated aspects for convenient travel planning.

Decoding Spirit Airlines Pet Travel Policy

You are allowed to travel with pets on domestic flights operated by Spirit Airlines. You cannot travel with pets on its international flights, except service animals. 

Here are the complete details. 

Pets on Domestic Flights 

You can take pets on domestic flights that operate within the United States. The locations also include Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Your pets can travel in the guest cabin. The airline does not transport pets in cargo. 

Since a maximum of six pet containers are allowed to be carried on a domestic flight, you are advised to make travel arrangements and post such requests in advance at the time of flight booking.

You are allowed to take:

• Domestic dogs
• Domestic cats
• Small household birds (but not to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I.) – Please note that game birds, farm poultry, birds of prey, waterfowl, and flightless birds do not belong to the category of small household birds. 
• Small domestic rabbits (but not to or from Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I)

Please Note

1. According to Spirit Airlines, you are highly recommended to consult with your veterinarian if you wish to take Brachycephalic breeds which are also called snub-nosed dogs. This is so because they may be prone to risks during a flight journey. 

2. Snakes, rodents, spiders, and the like will not be allowed. These are called exotic pets. 

3. You need to mark your check-in at the ticket counter if you are traveling with your pets. You must wait with patience at the check-in counter as it might take more time than the usual check-in procedures. Curbside or self-service check-in is strictly prohibited in case you travel with pets. 

4. You need to pay a fee of US$110 per container on one-side flight. Hence, it will be US$220 in case of a round trip carrying your pet.

Pets on International Flights 

Passengers are prohibited to travel with pets on international flights operated by Spirit Airlines. Only service animals are allowed on these flights with certain restrictions. Service animals are dogs which are specifically trained to do work for an individual suffering from a particular disability. There are also psychiatric service animals.

Guidelines for Traveling with Pets on Domestic Flights 

Spirit Airlines has defined certain guidelines to be followed by passengers if they wish to travel with pets. The airline allows you to sit anywhere except the first row and emergency exit rows.

Take a look below: 

• The minimum age of your pet must be 8 weeks. 

• It must be odorless and harmless. It must not be suffering from a disease or some physical issue. 

• Make sure the pet does not require any attention during the flight. If it causes disturbance before leaving the gate, it will not be taken onboard. 

• You are not required to submit a health certificate if your pets are traveling with you in the aircraft cabin. However, this is not valid for passengers traveling to USVI.

• You are required to submit a rabies vaccination certificate if your pets are traveling with you in the aircraft cabin to Puerto Rico.

Pet Container Instructions  

• The pet is considered as one-plus-one carry-on luggage. 

• You can take only one single container with you. One container can have a maximum of 2 pets. The pets must not be taken out anytime during the flight. The airline’s team inspects the container and provides approval. 

• The total combined weight limit allowed for the pet and carrier is 40 pounds i.e., 18.14 kg, which must not be exceeded. 

• Your pets must be able to stand and move properly in the container. 

• The overall dimensions allowed for the container are 18″x14″x9″ i.e., 45.72cm x 35.56 cm x 22.86cm (L x W x H). The same must not be exceeded. 

• The container must be of size that easily fits under the seat set in front of you. 

• You are allowed to carry only soft containers.

• Containers in which the head of your pet shows outside are prohibited. 

Apart from this, you are recommended to check that the container abides by all requirements set by the government so as to enable safe transportation.

Guidelines for Traveling with Service Animals on International Flights

Here are some important points to remember if you wish to travel with your service animals on international flights operated by Spirit Airlines. 

• If you are flying to or from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, or Peru, you need to adhere to certain travel restrictions so as to return to the U.S. Please refer to the website of Spirit Airlines for the same. 

• You need to show certain additional documents for the same. Besides, you have to follow a mandatory screening process for your service animal. It needs to be presented to the security checkpoint screeners. 

• According to Spirit Airlines, animal species apart from dogs, comfort animals, emotional support animals, companionship animals, therapy animals and service animals who are being trained do not belong to the category of service animals. If you believe that this is not what your trained service dog can do, it might be taken as per the usual pet policy defined by Spirit Airlines for domestic flights. 

• In order to take a service animal with you, please make sure to submit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form 48 hours before the departure time of your flight. The form is available on the website of Spirit Airlines. There could be issues in submitting your form online before your flight. So, in this case, you can submit your form at the ticket counter or the gate on the day of your flight. The form will be checked and approved. Thus, you need to wait for the same. But make sure that the form has the same date as that of when you booked the flight or the date after you book the flight. All the fields must be completed and you need to mention the latest rabies vaccinations. You must submit a form for each dog if you are taking 2 along with you.

• There could be a chance that your service animal does not qualify as a service animal and you have a flight to board. Therefore, the airline’s team will give you an option to be rebooked on the next flight of Spirit Airlines. This will give them more time to check your documents and allow you to travel with your animal as a pet. However, if your service dog seems to be violent or aggressive, you will not be allowed to take it on the flight. 

• Please note that the airline allows 2 service dogs per passenger. If you need to travel with more than the given number of service dogs, you will have to fulfill the criteria stated by the airline. You are advised to get in touch with the customer team of Spirit Airlines for complete details and instructions on the same. 

• Trained Service dogs are not allowed to sit in an emergency exit row.

• The dog can sit on your lap but then it must be up to 2 years old; you will not be allowed to place it or any of its parts on a seat; and you will not be allowed to occupy any seat that is equipped with an inflatable seat belt for the safety of your dog.

• If you make an arrangement for your service dog to sit on the floor then make sure that it remains in the space of your foot; it does not block an aisle or extend into the aisle or other area that is meant for emergency evacuation; and it does not cover the foot space of another passenger. 

• If space of more than one seat is needed for your dog, you can reserve an additional seat or upgrade to one of the big front seats on the flight. Otherwise, the airline staff will try to provide you with a suitable space on the flight after you arrive at the airport. However, they may not make sure to get space for your dog.

Concluding Words 

No wonder, traveling with pets demands careful planning and attention to every single aspect. Make sure to take note of all the crucial factors discussed above regarding the Spirit Airlines pet travel policy. This will help you enjoy a smooth and comfortable journey with no chances of issues at the end moment. You are suggested to go for an advance flight booking and early check-in. Packing all the related material in your bag also proves to be beneficial. 

Apart from this, you are advised to explore the website of the related airport to find information about the location and facilities at their animal relief areas. You may also get in touch with one of the executives of Spirit Airlines at the airport for assistance.

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