Under Consideration: New Fed Rules for Flights with Service Animals

With numerous recent issues related to the safe travel of service and comfort animals on airlines, the Department of Transportation is considering new regulations for flights, with most of the controversies and recent concerns related to emotional support animals, a somewhat ill-defined category.

DOT officials are considering rule changes and seeking public comment on concerns such as requirements for leashing or crating service animals and whether emotional support/comfort animals should be included in the same category as service animals such as those for individuals who are Blind, for instance. The Department is also considering possible limits on the size and/or species of animals permitted on planes, as well as requirements for documenting an animal's training and qualifications.

Proponents and opponents of emotional support animals both note that the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carrier Access Acts are at times unclear and even in conflict regarding the legal responsibilities of air carriers and the rights of passengers with disabilities.

Transportation.gov provides the following information to passengers considering air travel with a service animal at this link: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals

To comment on the newly proposed regulations, please visit: Regulations.gov at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOT-OST-2018-0068-0001


For additional viewpoints on the issue, please visit:

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2018/05/22/feds-eye-flying-service-animals/25113/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/travel/service-animals-planes.html
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2018/04/15/pets-plane-american-southwest-airlines-government-help-emotional-support-animals