Alaska Airlines Grounds All Emotional Support Animals

After the U.S. Department of Transportation put a very strict limit on the definition of service animals, Alaska Airlines is taking the standard one step further. The Seattle-based airline will no longer allow flyers to board with “emotional support animals,” reserving the cabin for booked pets and service dogs.

Alaska Airlines is no longer in the business of carrying emotional support animals, leaving the cabins reserved for those who purchase space to carry on their pets, or have a documented service dog for support. In a press release, the Seattle-based airline announced they would no longer accept emotional service animals on bookings starting Jan. 11, 2021.

Emotional Support Animal Grounding in Direct Response to DOT Changes

Alaska is changing their policy in direct response to a ruling from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency announced starting in 2021, airlines would no longer be required to accommodate emotional service animals under the same standard as service dogs.

Because flyers have tried to pass everything from pets to pigs to peacocks as “emotional support animals,” the rule was changed to limit passenger abuse of the loophole. Alaska’s new policy comes after direct feedback from flyers and crewmembers, in addition to a 2017 incident at Portland International Airport (PDX) where a dog allegedly mauled a child waiting on an Alaska flight.

“Earlier this month the DOT said it will no longer require airlines to make the same accommodations for emotional support animals as is required for trained service dogs,” the press release from Alaska reads. “Changes to the DOT rules came after feedback from the airline industry and disability community regarding numerous instances of emotional support animal misbehavior which caused injuries, health hazards and damage to aircraft cabins.”

For reservations on or after Jan. 11, those traveling with service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, will be required to fill out a form attesting to their training, vaccinations and behavior. Flyers will be allowed to board with up to two service dogs.

While the policy goes into effect on Jan. 11, 2021, there will be a limited sunset window for flyers to complete travel with emotional support animals. Travelers will still be able to board with an “emotional support” animal for tickets booked before the Jan. 11 deadline, and only for flights departing on or before Feb. 28, 2021. After which date, emotional support animals will no longer be accepted.

Alaska Leads Way in Barring Emotional Support Animal Travel

As an airline, Alaska has worked over the years to limit the definition of “service animal.” In 2018, the carrier and two other airlines required additional paperwork for support animals, including statements signed by a veterinarian and mental health practitioner.