If American Airlines gets its way, emotional support animals will no longer be allowed on flights. American Airlines is part of Airlines for America, an industry group pushing the U.S. Transportation Department to limit the definition of "service animal" to only include trained service dogs. This new definition would allow service animals like guide dogs for the blind, but would eliminate comfort pets.
American Airlines has
said it supports Airlines for America's position "in full," citing the growing number of emotional support animals, as well as disruptions by those animals, on flights as reasons.
The answer isn't to ban emotional support animals. Airlines need to learn to accommodate them. Please sign this position urging American Airlines to stop fighting for an ESA ban!In recent years, there have been several high-profile animal deaths on flights, causing a great deal of controversy around animals on flights. On top of that, with more people bringing comfort pets on flights, stories of animals defecating on flights or blocking aisles have grown as well.
But for some people, emotional service animals are absolutely necessary, especially on long flights. If American wants to accommodate all passengers, it will have to figure out a way to accommodate comfort pets, too. Otherwise, it's about to lose a lot of customers.
Part of accommodating passengers is accommodating their emotional service animals. Please sign this petition urging American Airlines to stand up for ESAs now. 