United’s policy changes places new restrictions on service and emotional support animals in 2019
American Disability Rights comment: United Airlines January 2019 policy changes are being made under the provisions of the Air Carrier Access Act. The United States Department of Transportation is also seeking comments from the public on amending its service animal regulations for all carriers. There is also a bill in the United States Senate aligning the definitions of ACAA service animals to the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
United’s policy changes places new restrictions on service and emotional support animals in 2019
From United Airlines:
We update our service and emotional support animal policy
January 03, 2019
To further ensure the well-being of our employees and customers while accommodating passengers with disabilities, we are expanding our existing policy regarding emotional support animals, service animals and in-cabin pets.
Starting January 7, we will implement the following policy changes:
- We are limiting emotional support animals to flights under 8 hours. We have seen increases in onboard 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.
- We will no longer accept kittens or puppies under four months of age as emotional support animals, in-cabin pets or service animals on any flight, regardless of length. Animals under the age of four months typically have not received the necessary vaccinations that help ensure the safety of our employees and customers.
- We are limiting acceptance of emotional support animals to dogs and cats. Additionally, we are limiting acceptance of service animals to dogs, cats and miniature horses.
We will honor reservations made prior to January 3 under the previous policy with the approved documentation, if required. We will continue to support customers with disabilities including those traveling with service or emotional support animals through our 24/7 Accessibility Desk, which is in place to provide service and care for our customers. And we will continue to support veterans in their travel needs and make every accommodation to ensure their experience with us is as comfortable and efficient as possible.
- The animal is expected to be seated in the floor space below your seat
- The animal should not extend into the aisles
- The animal must behave properly in public and should follow directions from its owner
- When traveling with an emotional support animal or psychiatric service animal, you’ll need to submit all three forms together to the Accessibility Desk at least 48 hours before your flight
- Contact the United Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 if you have any questions or special requirements
