American Airlines will no longer allow emotionally supportive animals to travel on their aircraft other than handheld or cargo pets. The carrier is adopting a Department of Transportation rule that will go into effect next week. He defines a service animal as a dog trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, a narrower definition than in the past.
“When the rule goes into effect on Jan. 11, Americans will stop allowing new trips for animals that don’t meet that definition, such as emotionally supportive animals,” the airline said Tuesday in a statement. press.
The airline said existing reserves with emotional support animals will be filled until February 1, when the company’s new policies come into force.
Animals that had previously traveled as emotionally supportive animals and can no longer qualify as service animals can travel as pets on hand or with cargo as long as they meet the airline’s requirements, American added. According to the Associated Press, the airline will charge a pet fare that will range from $ 125 to several hundred dollars to transport pets.
“We are confident that this approach will allow us to better serve our customers, especially those with disabilities traveling with service animals, and better protect our team members at the airport and on the plane,” said Jessica Tyler, president of cargo and vice president of airport excellence for Americans, he said in a statement.
Alaska Airlines a week ago also said it would no longer accept emotional support animals. Other airlines are also expected to adopt the new policy.
The Department of Transportation earlier last month said yes reversing its long-term position this required airlines to allow travelers to travel with emotionally supportive animals as long as they had a doctor’s note.
The change of agency comes after an increase in complaints of service animals by disabled passengers, misbehavior by emotionally supportive animals, a lack of clarity on the definition of service “and interruptions caused by” requests for transport of unusual species of animals on board aircraft. ” to the DOT.
For years, airlines have struggled to fight travelers who carried on board a menagerie of animals, including cats, turtles, pigs and other creatures.
High-profile incidents related to animals on flights include a call from police to remove a woman with an emotional support squirrel from a 2018 Frontier Airlines flight and United Airlines who bounced off a passenger who wanted he carries a peacock on board.