Spirit Airlines Pet Travel: Policy Explained Simply

Are you taking your pet with you on a trip for the very first time? But feel stuck with lengthy regulations and documentation. Worry not, Spirit Airlines' pet policy is there to hold your hand. This policy is very straightforward, and the regulations are very simple and short. This policy tries to ensure that each and every passenger feels comfortable, and the pets must remain safe. 

Read the pet policy regulations, restrictions, and booking process, service animal regulations and fees. Know the policy and make your trip a little smoother. 

What are the common Spirit Airlines' pet policy regulations?

Spirit airlines pet policy is very simple. Having the knowledge of its regulations will help in a smooth journey. Know the regulations of this policy: 

• Passengers can take: 
• Bird,
• Dog,
• Cat, 
• Rabbits as their pets on the flight. 
• The pet must be inside the carrier for the whole trip. 
• There is no need for a health certificate for traveling. 
• The guests going to the USVI have to provide a health certificate. 
• Birds cannot come and go to cities in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
• Animals have to be able to stand upright and be able to walk around comfortably inside the container.
• Animals have to stay in the carrier during the flight.
• The pet must not be less than 8 weeks old and weaned. 
• It will be taken off if the animal is offensive or makes a disturbance before departing the gate.
• He must not be harmful, offensive, odourless and in constant need of attention. 

What are pet carrier guidelines?

Before flying, ensure your pet is in a carrier approved by Spirit. It will be considered to carry one plus one carry-on baggage.

• The container dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 9" (45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 22.86 cm) in total dimensions (L x W x H) and should fit under the seat ahead of the guest with the animal.
• The pet must always be in the carrier and capable of standing up and turning inside the container.
• Only soft containers are permitted in the cabin, not the kind in which the pet's head can still be outside.
• Make sure that the container meets all government standards for safe transportation.

How to reserve a slot for a pet? 

For traveling with a pet, you have to book a slot for their carrier. Even for traveling with a service animal, there are only 6 slots on every flight for the pets. It is important to make the slot booking early. Here is the process to do so: 

1. Make your reservation 
2. Call the airlines or chat through the Let’s Chat option. 
3. They will ask for the information such as the pet's age, the size of the carrier and other important things.
4. Then they will book a slot for you. 

The payment will be performed at the check-in counter once it has been confirmed that the animal is fit for flying. 

What is the fee policy of Spirit Airlines for animals? 

Airlines do not impose costs according to the pet; they do it according to the pet carrier. In some cases, two pets can be placed inside one pet carrier.

For carrying a pet carrier, passengers have to pay a $125 charge for one way. Charges are paid when the check-in staff grants confirmation that the passenger qualifies to fly.

What Are the Requirements for a Trained Service Animal?

Passengers can travel with a service animal; they can travel without a carrier inside the flight. Here are the regulations you must know: 

• In legal terms, only the dog is regarded as a service animal. 
• Their age must not be less than 4 weeks. 
• They must be individually trained to work and perform tasks for disabled persons. 
• They provide help in physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or mental disabilities. 
• Animals like. Comfort animal, therapy animal, companion animal, emotional support animal or animal under training is not considered a service animal. 
• Passengers can travel with two service animals. 
• The passengers must provide the verification of the pet being a service animal, and a vest, ID card or harness will not be considered as verification of the service status. 

Regulations of the U.S. DOT form: 

• You have to fill out the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. 
• The submission of the form is required to be done 48 hours prior to the flight. 
• In case you do not submit it online, you have the option to carry it to the gate or the ticket counter.
• Please be on time so they can review and approve your request on time. 
• If you don’t get the approval on time, Spirit is gonna: 
• Rebook you on the next flight. 
• Or will allow the service animal to travel as a pet. 
• Any false information on the form can cause government action or a penalty. 

• The form must be filled out on or after the reservation. 
• The form must be filled out completely 
• Please include the correct information related to the rabies vaccination.
• You have to submit one form per reservation per pet.

What is the Seating Policy for a Trained Service Animal?

Here is the seating policy list for the service animals: 

• Pets should not sit in the Aisle area or the seats.
• They must not be intolerable, mean-smelling, shouting, or dirty. 
• They could also be accommodated in the lap of the patron if they were so small.
• These passengers can’t sit in the emergency exit or front row area. 
• If the pet displays aggressive or intolerable behaviour, then airlines will refuse you and your pet to fly. 
• If the pet is large and will not fit in the foot area, you can choose a separate seat or choose the big front seats. 
• All airports provide an animal relief area. Check on the airport website or ask the staff members.
• The dog can sit on the floor only in the foot area, or in your lap if he is small enough. 

How to Travel Internationally with a Service Animal?

Please note that it is up to you to take care of each and every one of the requirements listed above. Additionally, there could be more paperwork and requirements besides these:

• Travel documents should be ready at all times. To know more, call Spirit Guest Service at 1-855-728-3555. 
• When coming from abroad to the USA, look up the travel mandates on the CDC website. 
• The aforementioned policies for international flights hold for service dogs. 

As far as international traveling goes, there are many issues of documentation and regulations to keep in mind.

Wrap up

Have you read the policy carefully, so you must know what things you have to remember and what precautions you have to take. The policy is simple and airlines just want passengers to feel comfortable while flying, meanwhile the pet also reaches its destination happily and healthily. I trust that all the rules and requirements have been understood. Have a fabulous trip.

Read More Related Post: Delta Airlines Pet Policy