Soon you won’t be able to bring your emotional support animal with you on Alaska Airlines. This is the first major U.S. airline to announce a ban on emotional support animals. The ban comes after the Department of Transportation revised its regulations about what exactly constitutes a service animal.
As defined in a press release, service dogs are:
“Specially trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability,” including psychiatric service dogs.
Beginning Jan. 11, you will only be able to bring a service dog with you on Alaska Airlines. The Department of Transportation has revised its Air Carrier Access Act and will no longer classify emotional support animals as service animals.
“The days of Noah’s Ark in the air are hopefully coming to an end,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants.
Alaska Airlines director of customer advocacy Ray Prentice says:
"This regulatory change is welcome news, as it will help us reduce disturbances onboard, while continuing to accommodate our guests traveling with qualified service animals.”
Read more about this at USA TODAY
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