new flight rules for service animals

The Department of Transportation recently issued a new rule governing service animals traveling on commercial air flights. The rule was issued in response to numerous complaints about emotional support animals from passengers, people with disabilities and airlines, themselves.

This final rule issued by the DOT defines a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is 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. The rule also allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than service animals, and permits airlines to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft to two service animals.

Photo Credit: Ryan Taylor / shutterstock.com

Interestingly, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which forbids discrimination in public accommodations, the rule is exactly the opposite - it’s prohibited to require that someone provide proof of an animal’s training, under the ADA.

So, what does this mean, if you’re traveling with a service animal? Well, first of all, you should know that these rules only allow airlines to implement these restrictions. The restrictions aren’t mandated. So, it’s up to the airline. But, since the final rule allows airlines to require passengers with a disability to fill out a form attesting to the animal’s training and good behavior, and certifying the animal’s good health, you can expect that airlines may be doing that in the future. For flight segments of eight hours or more, the rule allows airlines to require passengers to complete a form attesting that the animal has the ability either not to relieve itself on a long flight or to relieve itself in a sanitary manner.

So, if you have an emotional support animal that isn’t a dog — whether that’s a cat, a miniature horse, a llama or a peacock — which hasn’t actually been trained to perform a function to accommodate your disability, it’s entirely possible that the airline may restrict your ability to travel with your animal going forward.

If you have a disability or special needs, we’d be happy to help you travel safely, and in compliance with the new rules. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, if we can be helpful!

Cover Photo Editorial credit: Glynnis Jones / Shutterstock.com