American restricts emotional support animals on flights

American Airlines joined other major airlines Monday in restricting emotional-support animals allowed to fly with passengers. The changes followed Delta tightening its leash in January and United in February. Airlines decided to revise their own rules after a DoT panel was unable to reach a compromise in 2016. Emotional-support animals fell under a looser definition than trained service animals, such as for the blind or deaf, while still travelling for free in the cabin rather than being shipped in cargo. Delta said its changes came as the airline carried about 250,000 animals last year that were increasingly misbehaving by wandering the cabin, defecating or even biting passengers. Starting July 1, American will require passengers to notify the carrier about a comfort animal 48 hours before a flight, and then sign a waiver stating the need for the animal. In order for an animal to qualify, the passenger must provide a letter from a mental-health professional describing the mental or emotional disability that shows the need for the animal, and proof of the professional’s licensing. Comfort animals must fit at a passenger’s feet without occupying a seat or blocking an aisle, under the policy. The animals must be tethered by a leash or harness at all times and won’t be permitted in the cabin if they behave badly, such as by growling, lunging or attempting to bite people, the airline said.<br/>