AA urges DOT to allow only trained service dogs in airline cabins

American Airlines submitted Tuesday comments about potential changes in federal regulations dealing with animals travelling with passengers in airline cabins. American surveyed 18,000 passengers during one weekend in May and nearly 58% of respondents said only trained service dogs should be allowed in the cabin, while nearly 29% said emotional-support dogs should also be allowed and nearly 14% were fine with current rules that allow a wider variety of animals. During a week in June, the airline also surveyed 7,347 of its workers who come into contact with animals found that 65% have experienced disruptions involving comfort animals during the last two years. Nearly 25% said aggressive and threatening behavior was most common, while 11% reported animals soiling the cabin. “American Airlines supports the rights of qualified individuals with disabilities and their legitimate service animals,” said the 30-page filing. But the airline asked the Transportation Department to stop recognizing emotional-support animals and allow only dogs “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.”<br/>