Changes to Airline Policies on Emotional Support Animals

American Airlines became the latest carrier to ban emotional support animals from flying for free on Tuesday, about a month after the Department of Transportation granted airlines permission to implement such measures.

New Rules Effective February 1

The new rule, which goes into effect on Feb. 1, will require passengers traveling with an emotional support animal to bring them as carry-on, which incurs a fee of $125, or as cargo, according to the airline. Moreover, American Airlines limits the types of animals that can travel in the cabin to specific breeds of dogs and cats.

Statement from American Airlines

“Our team is motivated by a purpose to care for people on life’s journey, and we believe these policy changes will improve our ability to do just that,” Jessica Tyler, the president of cargo and vice president of airport excellence for American, stated. “We’re confident this approach will enable us to better serve our customers, particularly those with disabilities who travel with service animals, and better protect our team members at the airport and on the aircraft.”

Service Animals and New Requirements

Service animals will continue to be accepted under the new policy; however, travelers with disabilities must “complete a DOT form attesting to the dog’s behavior, training, and health” at least 48 hours before their flight. The authorization will remain valid for one year or until the animal’s vaccinations expire.

Impact of the Department of Transportation’s Decision

The rule change follows a month after the DOT announced it would no longer consider emotional support animals as service animals, defining a service animal as a “dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.”

Delta and Other Airlines’ Policy Changes

On Thursday, Delta Air Lines joined other carriers and confirmed they will no longer accept emotional support animals starting Jan. 11. In a positive turn, the airline will also lift its ban on pit bull-type dogs who qualify as trained service animals.

“We applaud the DOT for making this change and acknowledging the concerns that Delta and many other stakeholders have raised for the past several years,” Allison Ausband, the senior vice president of in-flight service remarked. “The DOT’s final rule enables airlines to prioritize the safety of all employees and customers while protecting the rights of customers who need to travel with trained service animals.”

Future Changes by Other Airlines

Next week, Alaska Airlines will implement a similar policy change but will continue to accept emotional support animals on existing reservations through Feb. 28.

Tips for Traveling with Pets

Traveling with pets can be a fulfilling experience; however, it necessitates extra steps and careful planning. Ensure you have proper vaccination records, familiarize yourself with each airline’s policies, and prepare essential travel items (like quiet toys instead of squeaky ones).