Starting January 11, Alaska Airlines will be the first major airline in the United States to ban emotional support animals.
The move comes after the Department of Transportation revised its Air Carrier Access Act on December 2, which no longer classifies support animals as service animals.
“This regulatory change is welcome news as it will help us reduce on-board disturbances while continuing to accommodate our guests traveling with qualified service animals,” said Ray Prentice, Alaska Airline’s director of customer advocacy. in a press release.
Under the new policy, the airline said passengers will need to complete a DOT form stating that “the animal is a legitimate service dog, is trained and vaccinated and will behave appropriately during the journey.”
Alaska has said it will continue to accept emotional support animals in accordance with its current policy for flights booked before January 11 and flights on or before February 28.
The airline said it would not accept emotional support animals on their flights after Feb. 28, the company said.