More than 10 ten emotional support animals are now banned by American Airlines as the carrier seeks to tighten its rules for passengers flying with animals, including those that growl, lunge and bite. Some seem hysterically obvious.
As of July 1, no amphibians, ferrets, goats, hedgehogs, insects, reptiles, rodents, snakes, spiders and sugar gliders will be permitted on the airline's flights, even if they are emotional support animals.
Furthermore, the airline said it would no longer allow non-household birds such as farm poultry, waterfowl or game birds (no birds of prey?), as well as animals with tusks, horns or hooves on flights – although apparently miniature horses that have been properly trained as service animals will still be tolerated.
American Airlines said no animals would be permitted to travel in the cabin if they displayed any disruptive behavior that included growling, biting, jumping or lunging at other passengers.
The new rules are supposed to protect passengers who really do need to travel with service and support animals and are also geared towards preventing disruption in the cabin being caused by animals that are not properly trained, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Emotional support and service animals are allowed to fly in the cabin at no extra fee provided they are fully trained, but American Airlines emphasized it would enforce all pet requirements and applicable fees if the animal did not meet its travel criteria.
Passengers wanting to travel with their emotional support animal in the cabin will also be required to submit documentation at least 48 hours before their flight.
American Airlines joins its competitors in clamping down on passengers travelling with emotional support animals.
Earlier this year United Airlines tightened its service animals' policy after an incident in which a passenger tried to bring a peacock on a flight as an emotional support animal.
At the time, the unidentified woman was prohibited from bringing the peacock on the flight from Newark Liberty International Airport even after she bought the bird its own ticket.
The airline said the animal did not fit its guidelines for support animals.
Alaska Airlines also updated its policy on emotional support animals earlier this year after it reported a string of disruptive incidents taking place on planes and in airports.
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