Alaska Airways to prevent letting psychological support animals on flights

SEATTLE (KOMO) — Alaska Airways introduced Tuesday it will no for a longer time take psychological help animals in the passenger cabin on its flights.

Beginning Jan. 11, 2021, Alaska will only permit assistance dogs, which are specifically experienced to accomplish tasks for the benefit of a competent personal with a disability.

The adjust arrives soon after the U.S. Section of Transportation mentioned it will no for a longer time need airways to make the very same accommodations for psychological assist animals as is expected for experienced support canine.

Alterations to the DOT procedures arrived soon after responses from the airline business and incapacity group pertaining to numerous circumstances of psychological help animal misbehavior which prompted injuries, wellbeing hazards and problems to plane cabins.

Airlines argued that travellers abused the scenario to provide a menagerie of animals on board like cats, turtles, pot-bellied pigs and, in just one scenario, a peacock.

“This regulatory adjust is welcome news, as it will help us lower disturbances onboard, although continuing to accommodate our guests touring with qualified services animals,” reported Ray Prentice, director of shopper advocacy at Alaska Airways.

Under the revised coverage, Seattle-based mostly Alaska Airlines will take a utmost of two provider puppies for each guest in the cabin, to include psychiatric support pet dogs. Friends will be demanded to complete a DOT variety, which will be accessible on AlaskaAir.com commencing Jan. 11, attesting their animal is a reputable assistance canine, is educated and vaccinated and will behave appropriately all through the journey.

For reservations booked much more than 48 several hours prior to travel, company must submit the concluded variety via electronic mail. For reservations booked much less than 48 hours prior to travel, visitors must submit the sort in person to the shopper company agent on arrival at the airport.

Alaska Airlines will go on to take emotional guidance animals under its latest policy for reservations booked prior to Jan. 11, 2021, for flights on or just before Feb. 28, 2021. No emotional support animals will be acknowledged for journey in the passenger cabin of its planes right after Feb, 28, 2021.

Selected breeds of animals will nonetheless be allowed to fly in the cargo compartment. For a lot more information and facts about travel with animals, go to AlaskaAir.com.