Dec 21, 2015, 9:01 pm
Last edit by: StartinSanDiego
THIS THREAD IS NOW ARCHIVED. PLEASE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION HERE: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/2032204-support-animals-cabin-2021-onwards.html
Service and Support Animals (Updated)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transportation of service animals by air to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system. The final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals can be found HERE.
The Department received more than 15,000 comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking. The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft.
The final rule:
Previous rule:
The main requirements of Part 382 regarding service animals are:
• Carriers shall permit dogs and other service animals used by persons with disabilities to accompany the persons on a flight. See section 382.55(a)(1–2).—Carriers shall accept as evidence that an animal is a service animal identifiers such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal.
—Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation or to comply with FAA regulations.
• If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat location of the qualified individual with a disability whom the animal is accompanying, the carrier shall offer the passenger the opportunity to move with the animal to a seat location in the same class of service, if present on the aircraft, where the animal can be accommodated, as an alternative to requiring that the animal travel in the cargo hold (see section 382.37(c)).
• Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities, equipment, or services that are required by this part to be provided to qualified individuals with a disability (see section 382.57).
To determine whether an animal is a service animal and should be allowed to accompany its user in the cabin, airline personnel should:
1. Establish whether the animal is a pet or a service animal, and whether the passenger is a qualified individual with a disability; and then
2. Determine if the service animal presents either
• a ‘‘direct threat to the health or safety of others,’’ or
• a significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the cabin (i.e. a ‘‘fundamental alteration’’ to passenger service). See 382.7(c).
full text can be found: here.
United policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://hub.united.com/united-emotio...530539164.html
Delta policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...e-animals.html
American Airlines policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ce-animals.jsp
Service and Support Animals (Updated)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transportation of service animals by air to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system. The final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals can be found HERE.
The Department received more than 15,000 comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking. The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft.
The final rule:
- Defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability;
- No longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal;
- Requires airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals;
- Allows airlines to require forms developed by DOT attesting to a service animal’s health, behavior and training, and if taking a long flight attesting that the service animal can either not relieve itself, or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner;
- Allows airlines to require individuals traveling with a service animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s) up to 48 hours in advance of the date of travel if the passenger’s reservation was made prior to that time;
- Prohibits airlines from requiring passengers with a disability who are traveling with a service animal to physically check-in at the airport instead of using the online check-in process;
- Allows airlines to require a person with a disability seeking to travel with a service animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s) at the passenger’s departure gate on the date of travel;
- Allows airlines to limit the number of service animals traveling with a single passenger with a disability to two service animals;
- Allows airlines to require a service animal to fit within its handler’s foot space on the aircraft;
- Allows airlines to require that service animals be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft;
- Continues to allow airlines to refuse transportation to service animals that exhibit aggressive behavior and that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others; and
- Continues to prohibit airlines from refusing to transport a service animal solely based on breed.
Previous rule:
—Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation or to comply with FAA regulations.
• Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities, equipment, or services that are required by this part to be provided to qualified individuals with a disability (see section 382.57).
To determine whether an animal is a service animal and should be allowed to accompany its user in the cabin, airline personnel should:
1. Establish whether the animal is a pet or a service animal, and whether the passenger is a qualified individual with a disability; and then
2. Determine if the service animal presents either
• a ‘‘direct threat to the health or safety of others,’’ or
• a significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the cabin (i.e. a ‘‘fundamental alteration’’ to passenger service). See 382.7(c).
full text can be found: here.
United policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://hub.united.com/united-emotio...530539164.html
Delta policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...e-animals.html
American Airlines policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ce-animals.jsp
The Definitive Discussion of Emotional Support Animals on Airlines
Dec 2, 2020, 6:32 pm
#601
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
It’s about time! Hopefully the airlines actually follow through.
Dec 2, 2020, 6:34 pm
#602
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
Dec 2, 2020, 7:11 pm
#603
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
Will be interesting to see how fees may change. I think most airlines charge $150 each way for an in-cabin pet, which can often be more than the Owner’s ticket. That’s what led to the whole abuse of the ESA policy IMHO.
Dec 2, 2020, 8:27 pm
#604
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,231
(Source: OMAAT)
Summary:
The biggest implication of this policy change is that emotional support animals are now going to be categorized as pets, rather than service animals. What does this mean?
Summary:
Emotional support animals are no longer service animals
The DOT is no longer categorizing emotional support animals as service animals. Service animals are being redefined, and have new restrictions:- Airlines may limit service animals to dogs, may limit each traveler to two service animals, and may require service animals to fit on their handler’s lap or within their handler’s foot space on the aircraft
- Service animals have to be “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability”
- Airlines can require passengers to remit a completed hardcopy or electronic version of the DOT’s “Service Animal Air Transportation Form” as a condition of transport
Airlines can start charging for emotional support animals, and restrict them
The biggest implication of this policy change is that emotional support animals are now going to be categorized as pets, rather than service animals. What does this mean?- Airlines will be able to charge travelers for their ESAs, rather than having to allow them on for free
- Not just that, but airlines can apply their weight and size limits to ESAs going forward; for example, most US airlines only allow in-cabin pets weighing up to 20 pounds, so airlines could apply those restrictions
Dec 2, 2020, 9:17 pm
#606
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
It may well be sad news for those with a genuine, clinical need for an ESA. The blame for ANY change (such as that proposed) must however surely lie with the people who abused the ESA system to avoid paying pet fees.
Dec 3, 2020, 5:40 am
#607
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Abuse, yes. I recall a few stories of pets lunging at or snapping or growling at other pax (mostly dogs).
Dec 3, 2020, 5:49 am
#608
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
IIRC there's also something in the new rules about service animals requiring a leash or other restraint.
Dec 3, 2020, 6:25 am
#609
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,269
Dec 3, 2020, 8:09 am
#610
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,365
Agreed on the abuse by others and glad for the change.
Several years ago I was flying from the DC area back to DFW on AA and was in a window seat in the exit row. As boarding goes on, the guy in the aisle seat notices some woman heading towards the back of the plane and they both exclaim how they didn't know the other would be on the flight. He tells her to sit in the middle seat, she hesitates cause her assignment is in the back, but she sits in the middle along with her little dog, who is wearing a leather bomber jacket. I assume the woman had said the dog was an emotional support animal since there was no carrier and I don't think a mini-bomber jacket is an official service dog signifier. Anyway, I'm not thrilled as I've now lost the empty middle, I'm not sure how the dog will behave during the flight, and after about 30 seconds, the couple start making out. So they didn't know each other well enough to know each others' travel plans, but well enough to canoodle on the plane and I'm wondering if this will go on for the whole flight.
Boarding finishes shortly after she arrives though and the middle/aisle on the other side were empty, so I bailed out my preferred window to take the aisle across the way. A minute later, flight attendants appear asking how the woman is sitting in the exit row, since she has a dog. She starts up with some BS about how the gate agent told her to sit there. I was tempted to tell the FA's to just ask for her boarding pass, but they were totally handling it and kicked them both out of the exit row. I assume the man, woman, dog, and later 2.5 kids had a happy life in the back of the plane.
Several years ago I was flying from the DC area back to DFW on AA and was in a window seat in the exit row. As boarding goes on, the guy in the aisle seat notices some woman heading towards the back of the plane and they both exclaim how they didn't know the other would be on the flight. He tells her to sit in the middle seat, she hesitates cause her assignment is in the back, but she sits in the middle along with her little dog, who is wearing a leather bomber jacket. I assume the woman had said the dog was an emotional support animal since there was no carrier and I don't think a mini-bomber jacket is an official service dog signifier. Anyway, I'm not thrilled as I've now lost the empty middle, I'm not sure how the dog will behave during the flight, and after about 30 seconds, the couple start making out. So they didn't know each other well enough to know each others' travel plans, but well enough to canoodle on the plane and I'm wondering if this will go on for the whole flight.
Boarding finishes shortly after she arrives though and the middle/aisle on the other side were empty, so I bailed out my preferred window to take the aisle across the way. A minute later, flight attendants appear asking how the woman is sitting in the exit row, since she has a dog. She starts up with some BS about how the gate agent told her to sit there. I was tempted to tell the FA's to just ask for her boarding pass, but they were totally handling it and kicked them both out of the exit row. I assume the man, woman, dog, and later 2.5 kids had a happy life in the back of the plane.
Dec 3, 2020, 8:51 am
#611
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
I would prefer if airlines would allow you to purchase a seat for your pet and let them travel there. Problem solved.
No more ESA BS, but simultaneously an opportunity to travel with a pet easier.
No more ESA BS, but simultaneously an opportunity to travel with a pet easier.
Dec 3, 2020, 8:53 am
#612
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
Agreed on the abuse by others and glad for the change.
Several years ago I was flying from the DC area back to DFW on AA and was in a window seat in the exit row. As boarding goes on, the guy in the aisle seat notices some woman heading towards the back of the plane and they both exclaim how they didn't know the other would be on the flight. He tells her to sit in the middle seat, she hesitates cause her assignment is in the back, but she sits in the middle along with her little dog, who is wearing a leather bomber jacket. I assume the woman had said the dog was an emotional support animal since there was no carrier and I don't think a mini-bomber jacket is an official service dog signifier. Anyway, I'm not thrilled as I've now lost the empty middle, I'm not sure how the dog will behave during the flight, and after about 30 seconds, the couple start making out. So they didn't know each other well enough to know each others' travel plans, but well enough to canoodle on the plane and I'm wondering if this will go on for the whole flight.
Boarding finishes shortly after she arrives though and the middle/aisle on the other side were empty, so I bailed out my preferred window to take the aisle across the way. A minute later, flight attendants appear asking how the woman is sitting in the exit row, since she has a dog. She starts up with some BS about how the gate agent told her to sit there. I was tempted to tell the FA's to just ask for her boarding pass, but they were totally handling it and kicked them both out of the exit row. I assume the man, woman, dog, and later 2.5 kids had a happy life in the back of the plane.
Several years ago I was flying from the DC area back to DFW on AA and was in a window seat in the exit row. As boarding goes on, the guy in the aisle seat notices some woman heading towards the back of the plane and they both exclaim how they didn't know the other would be on the flight. He tells her to sit in the middle seat, she hesitates cause her assignment is in the back, but she sits in the middle along with her little dog, who is wearing a leather bomber jacket. I assume the woman had said the dog was an emotional support animal since there was no carrier and I don't think a mini-bomber jacket is an official service dog signifier. Anyway, I'm not thrilled as I've now lost the empty middle, I'm not sure how the dog will behave during the flight, and after about 30 seconds, the couple start making out. So they didn't know each other well enough to know each others' travel plans, but well enough to canoodle on the plane and I'm wondering if this will go on for the whole flight.
Boarding finishes shortly after she arrives though and the middle/aisle on the other side were empty, so I bailed out my preferred window to take the aisle across the way. A minute later, flight attendants appear asking how the woman is sitting in the exit row, since she has a dog. She starts up with some BS about how the gate agent told her to sit there. I was tempted to tell the FA's to just ask for her boarding pass, but they were totally handling it and kicked them both out of the exit row. I assume the man, woman, dog, and later 2.5 kids had a happy life in the back of the plane.
Dec 3, 2020, 9:20 am
#613
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IAD
Posts: 735
The new rule allows "Psychiatric Service Animals". PSAs requires training however there is no national standard for PSA training and a person could claim that they self-trained the dog.
Dec 3, 2020, 6:08 pm
#614
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,555
Dec 3, 2020, 6:39 pm
#615
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,778
