ESA animals told to ‘sit’ home instead of flying
COVID-19 travelers may want to be aware of new travel pet rules
American Airlines confirmed it will no longer allow emotional support animals (ESAs) starting next week, according to CNN. While this would normally be met with a collective shrug for those who are social isolating, the holiday travel numbers confirm that nearly a million people traveled on Christmas Eve. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation already made a move to let ESA owners know that their dogs would not be treated like service animals anymore.
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In December, USDOT announced that it was revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation for service animals by air “to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system.” So what’s changed? Plenty.
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Psychiatric service airlines are still protected the same as other service animals. Airlines are allowed the option to require forms developed by the Department of Transportation “attesting to a service animal’s health, behavior and training.”
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However, there are some rules that could be problematic for service animal owners. For example, on long flights, service animals may not be given the option to relieve themselves — or can only do so in a “sanitary manner.” And big dogs could pose a problem, considering airlines can require a service animal to fit within its handler’s foot space on the aircraft. (ESAs can come in many shapes and sizes, along with service animals — including miniature horses.)
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So why did ESAs get ditched in the new rules but service animals still make the cut? USDOT felt that this approach “reduces confusion among airlines, passengers, airports, and other stakeholders by more closely aligning the Department’s definition of a service animal under the Air Carrier Access Act with DOJ’s definition of a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”