The revision also requires the passenger to provide documentation of the animal’s certification, as well as of their own disability(ies). It’s worth noting that only dogs are considered support animals under this change, leaving all other animals restricted from traveling with their owners’ on planes as support animals. 

What’s more, emotional support animals are now considered as pets under the revision. If brought on a plane, the passenger would have to pay pet travel fees. In the past, emotional support animals were allowed on planes and not charged fees. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not consider emotional support animals as service animals. Similar to the Air Carrier Access Act revisions, the ADA defines a service animal as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” Under the ADA, emotional support animals do not fall under the service animal category and thus the ADA does not provide a right to an emotional support animal. 

Notably, though, the Fair Housing Act and certain state laws do provide rights to an emotional support animal. For example, the Illinois Human Rights Act in Housing protects the right to an emotional support animal. But the Missouri Human Rights Act does not. Though housing and transportation certainly are different, the discrepancies between the federal and state agencies may prove the lack of widespread understanding of the value and necessity of emotional support animals. 

Curt Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, spoke with NPR about the harm these new regulations pose to travelers. 

“Now people who do feel they need this kind of support and cannot afford [to pay the pet fee] will now be eliminated from flying,” Decker said. 

The new Air Carrier Access Act rules went into effect at the beginning of 2021. 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of unfair treatment related to a support animal, our skilled attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. may be able to help you. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim. 

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