DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines is banning emotional support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them.
The airline said on Tuesday it would allow animals in the cabin for free only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect on Monday, although passengers who have already purchased tickets can fly with a pet until February 1.
The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers. The US Department of Transportation has paved the way for repression against pets last month.
The American said that passengers with a service dog will have to fill in a government form that guarantees the dog’s health, training and temperament.
Other animals, including dogs that are not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the hold or in a suitable kennel under a cabin seat. Either way, the American will charge a pet fee ranging from $ 125 to a few hundred dollars.
Jessica Tyler, the US president of cargo, said the rules would help passengers with pets and protect employees from planes and airports.
The number of passengers flying with pets has grown rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals have helped them overcome anxiety and other problems. Passengers only needed a note from a healthcare professional and a cottage industry emerged to provide these notes along with vests and other accessories for their pets.
Airlines and especially flight attendants have taken a more critical approach, saying passengers are exploiting a gap in federal regulations to avoid pet taxes. In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, pets bit other passengers.
Last month, the Department of Transportation solved the problem, taking part mainly with the airlines. According to him, the carriers were free to ban any animal other than officially trained dogs to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.
The department estimated that under the new rules, airlines will raise $ 59.6 million a year in pet taxes.
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David Koenig can be contacted at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter