As a result of the final rule which was issued by the Department of Transportation of the United States — which amends the Air Carrier Access Act regulation pertaining to the transportation of service animals via airplane — emotional support animals will no longer be accepted by Alaska Airlines to become effective as of Monday, January 11, 2021.
Alaska Airlines to No Longer Accept Emotional Support Animals Aboard Its Airplanes
Only official service dogs will be permitted for transportation aboard airplanes on flights operated by Alaska Airlines as of Monday, January 11, 2021, as bona fide service dogs are specially trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability.
Furthermore, Alaska Airlines will accept a maximum of two service dogs per passenger in the cabin, which includes psychiatric service dogs. Customers will be required to complete an official form from the Department of Transportation — which will be available at the official Internet web site of Alaska Airlines beginning Monday, January 11, 2021 — attesting that his or her animal is a legitimate service dog; is trained and vaccinated; and will behave appropriately for the duration of the journey.
For reservations which are booked:
- Greater than 48 hours prior to travel, customers must submit the completed form via e-mail message.
- Fewer than 48 hours prior to travel, customers must submit the completed form in person to the Customer Service Agent upon arrival at the airport.
“This regulatory change is welcome news, as it will help us reduce disturbances onboard, while continuing to accommodate our guests traveling with qualified service animals,” Ray Prentice — who is the current director of customer advocacy at Alaska Airlines — was quoted in this official press release from the airline. “Earlier this month the DOT said it will no longer require airlines to make the same accommodations for emotional support animals as is required for trained service dogs. Changes to the DOT rules came after feedback from the airline industry and disability community regarding numerous instances of emotional support animal misbehavior which caused injuries, health hazards and damage to aircraft cabins.”
Alaska Airlines will continue to accept emotional support animals under its current policy for reservations booked prior to Monday, January 11, 2021, for flights on or before Sunday, February 28, 2021. No emotional support animals will be accepted for travel after Sunday, February 28, 2021.
Summary
Do not be surprised if other airlines soon adopt a similar policy to the one announced by Alaska Airlines pertaining to the banning of emotional support animals aboard its airplanes.
Meanwhile, I have written extensively over the years pertaining to service dogs and emotional support animals in the form of articles posted here at The Gate — including:
- No More Free Transportation of Emotional Support Animals Via Airplane: Final Rule Issued by the Department of Transportation of the United States
- Emotional Support Animal Bites Guest at Hotel: Who is Responsible?
- Banning Emotional Support Animals From Airplanes: Your Comments Requested by the Department of Transportation
- Another Example of Why People Register Their Pets as Emotional Support Animals
- Not One, But TWO Huge Emotional Support Dogs In the Same Row in Business Class
- Final Statement on Emotional Support Animals Aboard Airplanes Issued by Department of Transportation of the United States
- Flight Attendant Bitten by Emotional Support Dog
- Man Bitten By Emotional Support Animal Sues Airline For Damages
- Emotional Support Animals Banned on Long-Haul United Flights — And…
- Emotional Support Animals Banned on Long-Haul Delta Flights — And…
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals By Southwest Airlines
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals By JetBlue Airways
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals By American Airlines
- Passengers To Be Limited to One Emotional Support Animal on Delta Air Lines
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals By Alaska Airlines
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals By United Airlines
- Enhancements Added to Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals and Service Dogs By Delta Air Lines
- Stricter Requirements for Emotional Support Animals and Service Dogs By Delta Air Lines
- In Defense of Emotional Support Animals? Not Exactly
- Forget Hamsters. How About True Emotional Support From an Airline?
- Can an Emotional Support Animal Be Used as a Threat?
- Why It is NOT Time to Ban Emotional Support Animals From Airplanes
- Confession by Pet Owner: “Emotional Support Dogs” are “B.S.”
- Emotional Support Animals: More Evidence of Faking
- Support Animals Versus Allergies: Here We Go Again
- Woman Forcibly Removed From Airplane Reignites Support Animals Versus Allergy Debate
- Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals: A Pig Continues The Debate
- Service Dog Denied Permission to Board an Airplane? Yeah — When Pigs Fly! Oh, Wait a Minute…
- When Pigs Fly: Somebody Tell The Sun That This is 2017
- Passengers Applaud as Boy Allergic to Dog is Removed From Airplane
- Update: Misinterpretation of Applause From Passengers Over Allergic Boy? What Really Matters is…
- Service Animals: Your Comments Requested by the Department of Transportation
- Delta Air Lines to No Longer Accept Pets as Checked Baggage
- Service Dog Denied Permission to Board an Airplane? Yeah — When Pigs Fly! Oh, Wait a Minute…
- Video: Woman Escorted Off the Airplane By Police Because of Her Unruly Dog
- Can Orphaned Parrots, Crows and Ravens Qualify as Service Animals?
- Service Animals Bill: Could a Legal Decision Arrive in Florida as Soon as Tomorrow?
- Service Animals Bill Unanimously Passes in Florida Today; To Become Law on July 1, 2015
- Court Rejects Ruling of Air Canada Separating Dogs From Allergic Passengers
- Dog Days in Flight, and How to Avoid Paying a Fee for Your Dog
All photographs ©2014, ©2016, and ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
