UNITED TIGHTENS LIMITATIONS ON SERVICE ANIMALS
February 14, 2019
United Airlines (United) has joined Delta Air Lines (Delta) in tightening its limitations on passengers travelling with service and emotional support animals (ESAs). Since January 7, 2019, United passengers cannot travel with ESAs or trained service animals under the age of four months. Similar to the arguments made by Delta, United asserts that animals under the age of four months have not typically received the necessary vaccinations. Requiring proof of vaccinations is a newly permissible limitation established in the DOT’s Interim Statement of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals.
Under United’s new policy, if a passenger is traveling with a trained service animal, the animal may be a dog, cat, or miniature horse. However, emotional support animals may only be dogs or cats. Moreover, United has completely banned emotional support animals on flights that are eight hours or longer, as the airline has reported an increase in incidents on longer flights: “We have seen increases in on-board incidents on longer flights involving these animals, many of which are unaccustomed to spending an extended amount of time in the cabin of an aircraft,” United reported in a statement issued on the new policy.
As the larger U.S. carriers continue to tighten service animal and ESA policies, additional airlines are likely to follow suit.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6622); Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6665), or Alexander Matthews (amatthews@eckertseamans.com or 202-659-6633).
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