https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/2020-...-animal-policy

You should expect this to rapidly become the norm across US carriers.

DOT made this change at the request of US air carriers including AS, with strong consumer backing.. Thus, not surprising that AS is implementing what it asked for.

Thank goodness

But is this really going to change anything long term? I suspect in a short amount of time everyone will just get the paperwork to re-classify their dog/horse/snake as a, "psychiatric support animal" and we're back to square one. Of course, I'm pleased that something is being done about this but fear it's just a small hurdle for those wishing to work the system.

Thank you, Alaska, for leading the way on this!

How many Karen�s actually have notes for their anti mask idiocy? I suspect most Karen�s won�t bother going through the paperwork

Is/was there paperwork required for the current policy of ESAs or was it just (laughing) the honor system? I hope you're right but am pretty sure some doctor that graduated at the bottom of his/her class is scheming a business plan to sell "psychiatric service animal" certifications as I type this.

Given this, I'm surprised it's taking so long for airlines to change their rules. If the DOT announcement was expected, they should have had the new rule already written/vetted by legal staff and ready to be announced instantly.

Maybe some customers would have howled about not being to bring their doggies along on holiday travel, but if it's the same on all airlines and is due to a federal rule, there would be no place for those customers to go except to their cars and RVs.

As a dog owner who flys a lot with his small dog I fully support them getting rid of the ESA loophole. Tired of people free loading while others who play by the rules have to pay. I wonder why Alaska says no dogs all together rather then just charge for it. That being said its concerning me so many people here are popping the champagne that dogs will simply not be allowed bar none, even if you pay. Trust me flying with a dog is expensive and a huge PITA with the paperwork, esp when you play by the rules, I don't usually do it unless I have to.

I don't understand why they simply don't assign certain flights as "dog friendly" maybe just 1 flight a week is enough people will choose that flight. They should do that with infants too, why not have dog friendly flights and kid friendly flights, would make everyones life easier.

You do realize that kids are not pets, right?

Emotional support animals
Current: airline paperwork
New: ESAs no longer allowed

Service animals
Current: no paperwork required
New: Department of Transportation paperwork; dogs only

If the following form is up to date, the DOT does not require a professional's signature for a service animal. Another difference from the ESA paperwork: it is a federal form. Whether the conditions and warnings are a deterrent to fraud, you make the call:
https://www.transportation.gov/indiv...ice-animal-air

I understand the confusion - this announcement only relates to animals previously transported for free in the cabin, and the full statement links to Alaska�s pet policy - you�re still free to pay to transport your dog in the cabin or the cargo hold.

Yes, but the dog has to fit in the appropriate carrier and needs to stay there. Uncaged animals that take dumps larger than the current inflight meal "wrap" are now prohibited.

There is no "psychiatric support animal" in the rule. There IS a "psychiatric service animal" reference requiring airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals that are trained to do work or perform tasks to assist a qualified individual with a disability and no longer allowing airlines to impose additional requirements on individuals traveling with psychiatric service animals as a condition of transport. Service animal is previously defined as a dog and no longer requiring airlines to accommodate miniature horses, cats, rabbits, birds and all other service animals that airlines are currently required to transport.

Sorry, no dog/horse/snakes on a plane.

Well, so much for flying with my emotional support great dane.