The current rules for flying and staying with your animal — and where your New Mexico letter still counts.
Before you book a flight from New Mexico, know the current rules: ESAs are treated as pets in the cabin, while task-trained psychiatric service dogs retain access.
Albuquerque International Sunport is the state’s primary airport.
The DOT’s 2021 rule change ended mandatory ESA accommodation in the air. Practically, that means pet fees, an under-seat carrier for small animals, and cargo rules for big ones — with details varying by carrier, so confirm before flying out of New Mexico.
Task-trained PSDs keep their cabin access at no charge. Airlines may require the DOT Service Animal Transportation Form attesting to training and behavior — most ask for it 48 hours ahead. The dog must fit within your foot space and remain under control.
On the ground, the ADA governs — and it covers task-trained service animals, not ESAs, so hotels and carriers may apply pet policies. Where the letter keeps its force is lodging that counts as housing: leases, sublets, and many longer rentals at your destination beyond New Mexico.
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Yes, but as a pet: expect a fee and an under-seat carrier requirement. The DOT removed the airline obligation to treat ESAs as service animals in 2021.
For the flight itself, no legal right — but for where you stay it matters: leases, sublets, and many short-term rentals at your destination still fall under the Fair Housing Act.
Treat it as pet travel — reserve early since cabin pet slots sell out, check your airline’s carrier rules, and expect a fee in each direction.
Only in limited cases — missing DOT forms, a dog that’s out of control or too large for your foot space, or specific long-haul requirements.
They do; the DOT framework is domestic, so international trips add the arrival country’s import and vaccination requirements.
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