Delta Air Lines Ends Emotional Support Animal Policy After DOT Rule Change

Delta Air Lines no longer permits emotional support animals (ESAs) on its flights, a policy change that became effective on January 11, 2021. The move directly followed a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that revised the definition of a service animal for air travel.

The updated Delta emotional support animal policy reclassifies ESAs as pets, meaning they are now subject to the airline's standard pet-in-cabin fees and restrictions. This change significantly impacts passengers who previously relied on ESAs for comfort during travel but do not have an animal trained to perform specific tasks. The policy reflects a broader industry shift, drawing a clear line between professionally trained service animals and emotional support animals under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

The DOT's Regulatory Shift

The foundation for Delta's policy change is the DOT's final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals, issued in December 2020. This regulation amended the ACAA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the rule officially defined a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.

Crucially, the rule clarified that airlines are no longer required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals. This decision gave carriers like Delta the authority to treat ESAs as pets. The DOT's final rule was developed after receiving thousands of comments from airlines, disability advocates, and the public, addressing concerns about safety and inconsistency in how ESAs were managed.

Delta's Rationale and Implementation

In announcing its new Delta service animal policy, the airline cited safety as a primary motivator. According to a Delta Air Lines news release, the carrier experienced a nearly 85% increase in animal-related incidents since 2016, including urination, defecation, and biting. These events posed risks to other passengers and crew members.

Allison Ausband, a Delta executive, commented on the change, stating, "We applaud the DOT for making this change and acknowledging the concerns that Delta and many other stakeholders have raised for the past several years. The DOT's final rule enables airlines to put the safety of all employees and customers first while protecting the rights of customers who need to travel with trained service animals."

The policy change means that passengers wishing to travel with an animal for emotional support must now comply with Delta's standard pet travel rules, which include carrier size requirements and fees.

What Qualifies as a Service Animal Now?

Under the current regulations, Delta permits only trained service animals, which are almost exclusively dogs. This includes Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs), which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with mental health disabilities. The DOT rule requires airlines to treat PSDs the same as any other service animal.

Passengers traveling with a service animal must complete and submit the official DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form before their flight. This form attests to the animal's health, training, and behavior. For flights scheduled to last eight hours or more, the DOT allows airlines to require a second form, the Service Animal Relief Attestation Form, which confirms the animal will not need to relieve itself on the aircraft or can do so in a sanitary manner. Airlines reserve the right to deny transport to any animal that displays aggressive behavior.

Industry-Wide Alignment

Delta was not alone in updating its policies. Following the DOT's 2020 ruling, most major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, implemented similar rules. This created a new industry standard where the distinction between an emotional support animal vs service animal is now legally and operationally clear. The widespread adoption of the DOT's framework has standardized procedures for traveling with service dogs, reducing confusion for passengers and airline staff. The era of flying with emotional support animals with minimal documentation has effectively ended for major U.S. airlines.

Why This Matters

This regulatory and policy shift represents a significant tightening of rules for animals in the cabin. For airlines, it provides clear authority to manage safety risks associated with untrained animals. For passengers with disabilities who rely on trained service animals, the rule standardizes the process and protects their rights. However, for individuals who depended on ESAs, it creates a new barrier, requiring them to either have their animal fly as a pet or not travel with them at all. The change underscores the industry's move toward prioritizing verifiable training and safety standards in accessibility matters.

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