Virgin America welcomes both trained service animals and emotional support animals to passengers who require their service. Regardless of your airline, Dogs on Planes encourages guests with service animals to become familiar with their basic rights and responsibilities 

Though the Virgin America pet policy adheres to the rules and regulations for service animals as set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation, they have their own set of policies and procedures. We have included the necessary information below.  


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Virgin America Service Animal Policy  
A service animal is permitted to accompany a guest with a disability on a Virgin America flight. You must still notify the airline that they will be traveling with a service animal. When checking in, you must provide an identification card for the animal, a harness and/or harness tag, and a credible verbal statement.   

Though a service animal may be outside a carrier while on the flight, he must occupy your own space—keep him out of aisles or emergency areas. These areas must remain clear for emergency evacuation to comply with FAA regulations. Service animals that meet these criteria may fly with no additional charge.  

Additional documentation is required when traveling to Hawaii or Mexico. If you encounter any issues while traveling with your service animal, please speak to a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). 

 

Virgin America Emotional Support Animal Policy
Emotional support animals may accompany a guest with a disability on a flight. The airline requires documentation to substantiate the guest’s disability-related need for the animal. This can (and should) include a letter from a licensed mental health professional. The notice may not be more than one year old from the date of the scheduled flight. The letter must include information regarding the mental health-related disability, state how the animal is necessary for the guest’s health, provide a statement of licensure, and state that the guest is under the care of the individual providing the documentation. 

Upon booking your flight, you must make the airline aware of your plans to travel with a support animal. As with service animals, your emotional support animal may be subject to additional rules and regulations if traveling to Hawaii or internationally.  

 

What Types of Service Animals are Prohibited? 
Virgin America notes that guests with service animals that may pose safety or public health concerns may not travel with that animal. This includes: 

  • Snakes and other reptiles 
  • Rodents 
  • Spiders  

 

Learn About Pet Travel with Virgin America