If you’re a frequent flyer, you often see service and emotional support animals as you’re making your way through the airport or on your flight. What you may not know is that according to American Airlines, the company saw a 40% rise in passengers transporting service and support animals on their planes between 2016 and 2017. The Department of Transportation doesn’t have any uniform standards for emotional support animals, but American Airlines is cracking down on the issue.
Victor/Flickr
Thomas Hawk/Flickr Not all of us travel with ease; for some it takes more than just the will to travel to get on board a flight. With that said, it would appear that some travelers have taken advantage of airlines’ lax rules that apply to emotional support animals. This week, American Airlines announced that as of July 1st, 2018, the company would no longer allow animals that may pose as a safety or public health risk, animals that have an odor or are unclean on board their flights. While you can still expect to see animals like dogs and even miniature horses, other animals like insects, snakes, spiders, goats, ferrets, and non-household birds will not be allowed on flights.
So, what exactly does this mean for travelers who intend to board with their service or emotional support animals? If you’ll be flying with American Airlines, you’ll be required to have a signed mental or medical health professional document, signed confirmation of training, and veterinary certification of health for the animal all submitted at least 48 hours before your flight. To read up on American Airlines’ latest ban on its official website, click here.
Have you ever had to deal with an unusual service animal on your flight? To read up on more travel news, check out how this is The One Thing Ninety Percent Of Travelers Absolutely Hate.
Victor/Flickr
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Not all of us travel with ease; for some it takes more than just the will to travel to get on board a flight. With that said, it would appear that some travelers have taken advantage of airlines’ lax rules that apply to emotional support animals. This week, American Airlines announced that as of July 1st, 2018, the company would no longer allow animals that may pose as a safety or public health risk, animals that have an odor or are unclean on board their flights. While you can still expect to see animals like dogs and even miniature horses, other animals like insects, snakes, spiders, goats, ferrets, and non-household birds will not be allowed on flights.
So, what exactly does this mean for travelers who intend to board with their service or emotional support animals? If you’ll be flying with American Airlines, you’ll be required to have a signed mental or medical health professional document, signed confirmation of training, and veterinary certification of health for the animal all submitted at least 48 hours before your flight. To read up on American Airlines’ latest ban on its official website, click here.
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