DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines is banning emotional support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay more if they want their pets to travel with them.
The airline said Tuesday it will only allow animals in the cabin if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect on Monday, although passengers who have already purchased tickets can fly with a pet until February 1st.
The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and it is likely to be copied by other operators. The U.S. Department of Transportation paved the way for repression against pets last month.
American said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form that guarantees the dog’s health, training, and temperament.
Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, may only fly to the hold or to a kennel that fits into a cabin seat. Either way, Americans will charge a fee per pet that will range from 125 to several hundred dollars.
Jessica Tyler, U.S. cargo president, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees at planes and airports.
The number of passengers flying with pets has grown rapidly in recent years, and some said the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other problems. Passengers only needed a note from a health professional and a home industry emerged to provide them, along with vests and other accessories for their animals.
Airlines and flight attendants in particular had a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a breach of federal regulations to avoid pet fares. In some cases, including some related to serious injuries, the pets bit other passengers.
Last month, the Department of Transportation resolved the issue, favoring mostly airlines. Carriers were said to be free to ban any animal other than formally trained dogs to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.
The department estimated that under the new rules, airlines will get $ 59.6 million a year in pet fees.
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David Koenig can be contacted at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter