A new Department of Transportation regulation goes into effect Monday that says airlines aren't required to treat emotional support animals as service animals.
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.
Several U.S. Airlines Ban Emotional-Support Animals AFAR 1/8/2021
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Only dogs trained as service animals will be allowed on board planes for free soon.Following a ruling by the U.S. Transportation Department last month that only trained service dogs will be allowed to fly for free as emotional-support animals, domestic airlines are now putting their own policies into effect.
American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would ban emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them. The carrier will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect Monday, January 11, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until February 1.