Pet Travel Policy

• Reservation Required: Book at least 48 hours in advance.
• Pet Fee: $30.00 each way.
• Allowed Pets: Domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits, and household birds.
• Kennel Required: Hard-sided; available for rent at $15.00.
• Kennel Dimensions: Must not exceed 26″ x 18″ x 17″.
• Weight Restrictions:
  • For BNI-Islander aircraft, the total combined weight of the pet and kennel must not exceed 30 lbs.
  • For PA-32 Cherokee aircraft, the total combined weight of the pet and kennel must not exceed 15 lbs.
• Multiple Pets:
  • Up to two animals from the same household are allowed on the same aircraft if space permits.
  • Due to space and weight limitations, there may be occasions when the passenger and their pets cannot be accommodated on the flight, and alternate arrangements will need to be made.
• Carriage of Pets: Vieques Air Link reserves the right to refuse the transport of pets at any time, including situations where the safety or comfort of passengers or pets is in question.
• Charter Flights: Charter flights may be arranged based on VAL availability to accommodate a passenger with a service animal that is too large. Call Reservations for availability and charter cost.

Service Animals

Vieques Air Link (VAL) permits trained service dogs to accompany passengers with a disability at no additional charge. Reservations are recommended for safety reasons, as aircraft aisles cannot be obstructed in case of an emergency.

Definition of Service Animal:

• The service animal must be trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.
• In accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation policy, untrained emotional support or comfort animals, effective January 11, 2021, may no longer travel as service animals.

Animal Behavior and Control:

• The service animal must be secured by harness or leash at all times.
• Animals that do not meet the definition of a service animal can travel as a pet, provided they meet the pet travel policy requirements.
• Service animals are expected to fit within the passenger’s foot space, on the owner’s lap, or under the seat, ensuring that aisles and emergency exits remain unobstructed.
• For larger service dogs, passengers may use the foot space of a nearby unoccupied seat, if available.

Accommodation for Large Service Animals:

• In the case of unavailable space on the reserved flight, VAL will do its best to accommodate the passenger and their service animal on a later flight based on availability. If no later flight is available, the service animal may travel in a kennel if the passenger allows and if baggage cargo dimensions permit; this option will be discussed with the passenger prior to boarding.
• After discussing available options for large service animals with the passenger, and based on the limited number of seats on VAL’s aircraft, passengers may wish to purchase an additional seat in order to guarantee that the animal will be transported on the passenger’s flight.

Disruptive Behavior:

• Service dogs exhibiting disruptive behavior may be denied travel in accordance with U.S. DOT policies.

Documentation:

• Passengers must submit the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form for validation prior to their flight, attesting to the animal’s health, training, and behavior.
• For travel booked 48 hours or more prior to departure, customers must submit this documentation in advance for validation through the email contact@valairlines.com.
• For travel booked less than 48 hours prior to departure, customers may present the form at the check-in counter or departure gate.
• For more details, visit: U.S. DOT Service Animal Forms.

Emotional Support Animals

In accordance with the final rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation, effective January 11, 2021, new bookings for emotional support animals will no longer be permitted. Customers who wish to travel with a pet may do so according to the VAL Pet Travel Policy.

Inappropriate Animal Behavior

We understand how important your animal is to you. We will only refuse transportation of a trained service animal if it engages in disruptive or aggressive behavior such as:

• Growling
• Biting
• Jumping on customers, flight attendants, or staff
• Relieving themselves in the gate area or cabin
• Barking excessively, not in response to a handler’s need or distress

If all requirements are not met, the animal will travel as a pet in the cabin or cargo if space is available. Reasonable rearrangements for a later flight may be considered, or the customer can arrange a charter flight.