Published on : Tuesday, May 15, 2018
It has announced that insects, hedgehogs and goats cannot be brought on airplanes as support creatures. It has added that passengers wishing to bring such animals on board would have to file paperwork 48 hours prior to a flight and there are new restrictions as to which types of animals are permitted.
In a press release American Airlines has stated that they support the rights of customers, eight from veterans to people with disabilities and those with legitimate needs for a trained service or support animal.
Emotional support animals are known to offer comfort to people suffering from emotional or psychological conditions like panic attacks, depression and anxiety.
They are generally permitted to fly on planes for free if they are able to meet certain requirements. The use of such animals on flights has increased in the recent years.
American Airlines (AAL) has also added that between 2016 and 2017 the number of customers transporting support animals on board the planes have increased by over 40%.
But currently, the airline is cracking down.
Passengers with a support animals have always had to present a letter from their mental health professional. But then this airline has now mentioned that it would be stricter about contacting these professionals much in advance of flights with an aim to verify their notes.
Fliers from now onwards would be required to sign new behavioral guidelines for their animals.
The form mandates that emotional support animals need to be kept on a leash or harness throughout the flight and it has added that the animal can be denied travel if its exhibits “any severely aggressive behavior”.
Additionally, American Airlines now says that some animals are off limits entirely because they pose a safety or public health risk.
This includes not only insects, goats and hedgehogs, but also ferrets, spiders, and non-household birds, like chickens and hawks. Unclean animals, or animals with an odor, are banned as well.