Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
American Airlines Joins Alaska Air in Grounding Emotional-Support Animals
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 years ago on
January 5, 2021

Share

DALLAS — 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 Tuesday that it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect Monday, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until Feb. 1.

The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers. The U.S. Transportation Department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month.

American said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the dog’s health, training and temperament.

Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the cargo hold or a kennel that fits under a seat in the cabin. Either way, American will collect a pet fee ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars.

Jessica Tyler, American’s president of cargo, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees on planes and in airports.

The number of passengers flying with companion animals grew rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other issues. Passengers only needed a note from a health professional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide those notes along with vests and other accoutrements for their animals.

Airlines and particularly flight attendants took a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a loophole in federal regulations to avoid pet fees. In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, companion animals bit other passengers.

Last month, the Transportation Department settled the matter, siding mostly with the airlines. It said carriers were free to ban any animal other than dogs formally trained to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.

The department estimated that under the new rules airlines will scoop up $59.6 million a year in pet fees.

DON'T MISS

Tent Compound Rises in Southern Gaza as Israel Prepares for Rafah Offensive

DON'T MISS

Costa Seeks Legislation to Prevent Reedley Lab Repeat

DON'T MISS

Fresno Home Care Workers Threaten Civil Disobedience Over Low Pay

DON'T MISS

Sacramento Bee Accused of Mangling the Facts About Fish Caught in Pumps

DON'T MISS

Legacy of Speed: The 1,600 Horsepower 1957 ‘Skeva’ Chevy Bel Air Built in Fresno

DON'T MISS

KMJ’s Gabriel & Musson Win Radio Honors, Fresno Council Plaudits

DON'T MISS

Tabloid Publisher Says He Pledged to Be Trump Campaign’s ‘Eyes and Ears’ During 2016 Race

DON'T MISS

General Motors Reports Strong First-Quarter Profits as Prices Help Offset Small US Sales Dip

DON'T MISS

Caitlin Clark Is Set to Sign a New Nike Deal Valued at $28 Million Over 8 Years, Reports Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Baklava House Entices Foodies With Its Delicious Flavors

UP NEXT

What Do Supreme Court Justices Say About Homelessness?

UP NEXT

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson Pledged $10M for Maui Wildfire Survivors. They Gave Much More.

UP NEXT

15 People Injured When Tram Collides With Guardrail at Universal Studios Theme Park

UP NEXT

The Pickle Flavor Frenzy and Its Rise in Food Trends

UP NEXT

Long-Lost First Model of USS Enterprise from ‘Star Trek’ Boldly Goes Home

UP NEXT

Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court

UP NEXT

Rare House Vote Sees Ukraine, Israel Aid Advance as Democrats Join Republicans

UP NEXT

Full Jury and 6 Alternates Seated in Trump’s Hush Money Trial

UP NEXT

San Francisco Mayor Announces the City Will Receive Pandas from China

UP NEXT

Finding an Apartment May Be Easier for California Pet Owners Under New Legislation

Sacramento Bee Accused of Mangling the Facts About Fish Caught in Pumps

8 hours ago

Legacy of Speed: The 1,600 Horsepower 1957 ‘Skeva’ Chevy Bel Air Built in Fresno

9 hours ago

KMJ’s Gabriel & Musson Win Radio Honors, Fresno Council Plaudits

9 hours ago

Tabloid Publisher Says He Pledged to Be Trump Campaign’s ‘Eyes and Ears’ During 2016 Race

10 hours ago

General Motors Reports Strong First-Quarter Profits as Prices Help Offset Small US Sales Dip

10 hours ago

Caitlin Clark Is Set to Sign a New Nike Deal Valued at $28 Million Over 8 Years, Reports Say

11 hours ago

Fresno’s Baklava House Entices Foodies With Its Delicious Flavors

11 hours ago

A Far-Right German EU Lawmaker’s Aide Is Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for China

11 hours ago

Wall Street Rallies and Adds to Its Hot Start to the Week

12 hours ago

The Icon Returns: Discover the All-New 2024 Land Cruiser

12 hours ago

Tent Compound Rises in Southern Gaza as Israel Prepares for Rafah Offensive

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press appear to show a new compound of tents being built near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza S...

5 hours ago

5 hours ago

Tent Compound Rises in Southern Gaza as Israel Prepares for Rafah Offensive

6 hours ago

Costa Seeks Legislation to Prevent Reedley Lab Repeat

7 hours ago

Fresno Home Care Workers Threaten Civil Disobedience Over Low Pay

8 hours ago

Sacramento Bee Accused of Mangling the Facts About Fish Caught in Pumps

9 hours ago

Legacy of Speed: The 1,600 Horsepower 1957 ‘Skeva’ Chevy Bel Air Built in Fresno

9 hours ago

KMJ’s Gabriel & Musson Win Radio Honors, Fresno Council Plaudits

10 hours ago

Tabloid Publisher Says He Pledged to Be Trump Campaign’s ‘Eyes and Ears’ During 2016 Race

10 hours ago

General Motors Reports Strong First-Quarter Profits as Prices Help Offset Small US Sales Dip

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend