Service Animals on Airplanes

Q: Recently the Department of Transportation (DOT) changed the rules for service animals and emotional support animals on airplanes. Why was this done?

A: The DOT made these changes to avoid problems with animals on airplanes. Some passengers were bringing exotic animals on board as emotional support animals. Also, in some cases, passengers were attacked by aggressive, untrained dogs. The Service Animal Final Rule under the Air Carrier Access Act no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals and provides that service animal handlers attest that their animals have been adequately trained. The announcement of the final ruling was issued in December of 2020.