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Dogs are now the only service animal covered by the Air Carrier Access Act.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will no longer consider emotional support animals to be service animals under a new rule announced Wednesday, allowing airlines to limit the types of animals that fly for free.
In a revision of its Air Carrier Access Act, the DOT defines a service animal as a “dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to perform a job or perform tasks for the benefit of of a qualified disabled person ”. Airlines “are not required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals and may treat them as pets,” he said.
The overhaul follows airlines’ efforts to crack down on travelers abusing policies on emotional support animals. Most service animals are dogs, although miniature horses, hamsters, pigs, and even peacocks have flown as emotional support animals.
The practice has “eroded public trust in legitimate service animals,” the DOT said in its regulation, which it said was in part driven by an increase in the number of travelers “fraudulently representing their pets as service animals ”to avoid the cost of transporting pets.
Airlines for America, an airline trade association, estimated that the number of passengers traveling with emotional support animals in 2018 rose 14%, following a 60% increase the year before. The rise has also accompanied a “sharp increase” in incidents caused by animals, from biting to defecation, said the group, which applauded the new rule.
“The Department of Transportation’s final rule will protect the traveling public and airline crew from untrained animals in the cabin, and improve accessibility of air travel for passengers with disabilities who travel with service dogs drawn up, ”said Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said in a statement.
The update was also supported by several flight attendant unions.
“It is inappropriate to have untrained or under-trained service animals in confined public spaces such as the cabin of an airplane,” said Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, in a statement. “The APFA commends the DOT for issuing a final rule that will create a safe and comfortable cabin environment for passengers and crew.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA called the rule a “victory” for the crews and the public. “It sets out clear definitions and guidelines to ensure people with disabilities and our veterans provide the necessary assistance to service animals while maintaining the safety, health and safety of all passengers and crew on board. of our planes, ”the union said in a statement.
Under the new provisions, airlines can require people traveling with a service animal to complete a form attesting to the animal’s health, behavior and training. They may also require that animals be harnessed at all times at the airport and on board the aircraft.
Passengers can still travel with pets under the carrier’s pet policy, which typically costs $ 125 each way for a small pet.
The final rule was informed by 15,000 public comments and concerns raised by people with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports and others, the DOT said. It will come into effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. This date has not yet been set.
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