Emotional support animals (ESA) will no longer be allowed in passenger cabin on Alaska Airlines flights next year, the company announced Tuesday (December 29).
This measure goes into effect on January 11, 2021, and only a max of two service dogs will be accepted, including psychiatric service dogs, according to KOMO. The news comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said they won't require airlines to have the same accommodations for ESAs like service dogs. Guests will have to complete a DOT form about their service dog, vaccination history and more starting on January 11, as well.
"Alaska will continue to accept emotional support animals under its current policy for reservations booked prior to Jan. 11, 2021, for flights on or before Feb. 28, 2021. No emotional support animals will be accepted for travel in the passenger cabin of its planes after Feb, 28, 2021," KOMO explained further.
Reporters said both the airline industry and disability community told DOT officials about "numerous instances of emotional support animal misbehavior which caused injuries, health hazards and damage to aircraft cabins."
For more information about these changes and traveling with pets, visit AlaskaAir.com.
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