US airlines’ plan to ban free carriage of emotional-support animals will force owners to pay extra to travel with pets
US airlines are moving to ban emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them.
American Airlines is the latest to say it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs.
The change takes effect from Monday, although passengers who already b ought tickets can fly with a companion animal until February 1.
The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers.
The US transportation department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month.
The company said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the animal'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 dollars 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 help ed them over - come anxiety and other issues.
Passengers only needed a note from a health prof essional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide these along with vest sand other accessories for their animals.
Airlines and particularly flight attend ants 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 dollars a year in pet fees.