Flying with an emotional support animal from the UK
What UK airlines, Eurostar and the railways actually say about emotional support animals, from their own current policies.
The short answer. You cannot take an emotional support animal into the cabin on a UK flight as an assistance animal. The CAA says recognised assistance dogs do not include dogs that solely provide emotional support. Some airlines carry pets in the hold; easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 carry no animals except assistance dogs. A letter does not change this.
Why a letter does not help on flights
UK airlines must carry recognised assistance dogs in the cabin. The Civil Aviation Authority’s accessibility guidance says a recognised assistance dog is trained to assist a disabled person, and that this does not include dogs that solely provide emotional support. So an emotional support animal flies, if at all, on the airline’s ordinary pet terms. Why an emotional support dog is not an assistance dog · emotional support animal law in the UK.
Pet rules for flying into Great Britain point the same way. GOV.UK says pets have to travel as cargo on a plane unless you are on a chartered private plane or travelling with a guide or assistance dog.
What UK airlines say
From each airline’s own current page, checked 25 September 2026. Policies change, so check before you book.
| Airline | Emotional support animals and pets |
|---|---|
| British Airways | An emotional support dog will need to travel as a domestic pet. |
| easyJet | Emotional support dogs and pets of any kind are not carried. |
| Ryanair | Emotional support dogs not recognised as assistance dogs by ADI, ADUK or IGDF are not permitted. No other animals are carried. |
| Jet2 | Only assistance dogs trained by IGDF or ADI members. No other animals on board. |
| TUI | All pets travel in the hold as cargo, to or from the UK. Only recognised assistance dogs in the cabin. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Only assistance dogs accompanying disabled passengers in the cabin. |
| Loganair | Emotional support dogs are not accepted in the cabin. They must travel in the hold in a proper animal container. |
Eurostar, trains and the Tube
- Eurostar. Pets are not allowed on trains to and from London. Guide and assistance dogs and cats are. For emotional support animals, Eurostar asks you to get in touch to discuss your requirements, so contact it before booking.
- National Rail. You may take up to two dogs or other small domestic animals free, unless a train company sets its own conditions. Dogs must be on a lead and animals are not allowed on seats.
- TfL. Pets travel free with a paying passenger. Dogs must be on a lead, stay off seats, and be carried on escalators.
If it is your own fitness to fly that is the question
An airline may ask for a letter about you, not your animal: for example after an illness or operation, or late in pregnancy. That is a fit to fly letter, and our sister site covers it. Fit to fly certificates.
For life with your animal on the ground, see emotional support dogs, cats and other animals.
Common questions
Can I take my emotional support animal on a plane in the UK?
Not in the cabin as an emotional support animal. UK airlines must carry recognised assistance dogs, and the Civil Aviation Authority says that does not include dogs that solely provide emotional support. Some airlines carry pets in the hold; several carry no animals except assistance dogs.
Will an ESA letter get my dog into the cabin?
No. No letter changes an airline’s assistance dog rules. We would rather tell you that than sell you one for a flight.
Can I take my emotional support dog on Eurostar?
Pets are not allowed on Eurostar trains to and from London. Eurostar asks anyone who needs an emotional support animal to travel to contact it to discuss their requirements. Contact Eurostar before you book.
Can my emotional support dog travel on UK trains?
Yes, as a pet. National Rail allows up to two dogs or other small domestic animals free, unless a train company sets its own conditions. Dogs must be kept on a lead and are not allowed on seats.
Sources. The legal and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 25 September 2026. Law and landlord, university and airline policies change, so check the source before you rely on it.