United Joins Rivals In Dropping Emotional-Support Animals

CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines is joining other major U.S. carriers in no longer allowing emotional-support animals to fly for free.

United said Friday that starting Monday, it will no longer let passengers book travel for companion animals. For people who book before the deadline, free travel for companions will end Feb. 28.

After that, United said, only trained service dogs can fly in the cabin while not being in a carrier. Owners will have to submit a government-approved form attesting to the dog’s training, vaccines and disposition. Therapy animals trained to visit nursing homes and other settings don’t count as service dogs, United said.

Owners may be able to transport other animals in the cargo hold or in carriers that fit under a seat in the cabin. Either way, the owner will pay a pet fee, which starts at $125 per flight.

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines announced similar policies in the last several days. The moves follow a Transportation Department rule that lets airlines crack down on the growing number of emotional-support animals in recent years.

The government rules announced last month require airlines to accept service dogs that are trained individually to help a person with a disability. The rules let airlines deny free boarding for companion animals.

For many years, thousands of passengers relied on a previous regulation to bring an animal on board for free by claiming that it provided emotional support. Airlines and flight attendants believed some passengers abused the rule to avoid pet fees.

Delta, United Begin New Rules For Service And Emotional Support Animals

Customers have attempted to fly with all manner of animals in recent years, according to Delta, including comfort turkeys, gliding possums, snakes, and spiders. (photo via Flickr/DoD News)

Delta and United began enforcing new regulations today for passengers traveling with emotional support and service animals.

The details of the new policies were outlined in statements on each of the airline’s websites.

Delta’s new policy applies to both service and emotional support animals, while United's changes are focused only on the latter category of animals.

Delta’s enhanced requirements for service animals require that in some cases a Veterinary Health Form and immunization record be provided or other proof that the animal’s vaccinations are up to date.

For emotional support animals, the new Delta regulations are stricter and include a range of mandatory requirements, among them submission of a Veterinary Health Form and immunization records as well as an Emotional Support/Psychiatric Service Animal Request form that includes a letter prepared and signed by a doctor or licensed mental health professional.

Those seeking to travel with an emotional support animal will also be required by Delta to submit a signed Confirmation of Animal Training Form 48 hours before travel and must check-in for a flight through a full-service check-in counter.

The airline said its policy changes come on the heels of an 84 percent increase in reported incidents involving service and support animals since 2016, including a widely reported attack by a 70-pound dog.

Customers have attempted to fly with all manner of animals in recent years, according to Delta, including comfort turkeys, gliding possums, snakes, and spiders. The airline said that passengers ignoring the true intent of existing rules regarding service and support animals is a disservice to customers who have real, documented needs.

"The rise in serious incidents involving animals in flight leads us to believe that the lack of regulation in both health and training screening for these animals is creating unsafe conditions across U.S. air travel," John Laughter, Delta's senior vice president of corporate safety, security and compliance, said in a statement. "As a leader in safety, we worked with our Advisory Board on Disability to find a solution that supports those customers with a legitimate need for these animals, while prioritizing a safe and consistent travel experience."

READ MORE: Delta to Get Tough on Emotional Support Dogs

Delta said it carries about 700 service or support animals each day, which is nearly 250,000 annually. By comparison, the airline transports about 180 million passengers annually.

United meanwhile is now requiring additional documentation from those wishing to travel with emotional support or psychiatric service animals.

In addition to providing a letter from a licensed medical or mental health professional, the new regulations state that customers will need to submit a veterinary health form documenting the health and vaccination records for the animal as well as confirming that the animal has been trained to behave properly in a public setting.

By MIA TAYLOR, www.travelpulse.com