American Airlines announced Tuesday that it will make changes to its policies and procedures for traveling with emotional support animals and service animals, in line with regulations recently issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The new policies and procedures are intended to support customers with disabilities and the service animals that travel with them, as well as the team members who work to keep customers safe.
See also: American Airlines begins the gradual return laid-off workers.
The new Department of Transportation rule defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to do a job or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. When the rule takes effect on January 11, American will no longer authorize new travel for animals that do not meet that definition, such as emotional support animals. Existing reservations involving emotional support animals will be honored until February 1, when the new airline policies take effect.
See also: American Airlines restarts commercial flights with 737 MAX.
Beginning February 1, to ensure that travel is accessible to people with disabilities while protecting the safety and well-being of customers and team members, American will ask customers traveling with service animals to complete a Department of Transportation (DOT) form certifying the dog’s behavior, training and health. The airline will require this form to be submitted electronically 48 hours before the flight, unless the reservation is made within 48 hours of travel. The authorization of a service animal will be valid for one year or until the expiration of its vaccinations.
Animals that previously traveled as emotional support animals and no longer qualify as service animals may travel as hand pets or cargo pets, provided they meet the requirements.
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