Dot Regulations On Emotional Support Animals. The dot says the new regulations will help to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members by allowing airlines to require that service. Or any animal that assists persons with disabilities by providing emotional support.

The department of transportation announced that it is revising rules around flying with emotional support animals. No longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal; Most notably, air carriers will no longer be obligated to provide access for emotional support animals (esa) in the airplane cabin.

Documentation may be required of passengers needing to travel with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal.

On december 2, 2020 the department of transportation (dot) released its final rule for accommodating service and emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation request under the air carrier access act (acaa). The dot document on the new rules includes a comment from paralyzed veterans for america noting that even if a passenger’s emotional support animal is able to travel as a pet, fees can cost. The dot has supported the airlines' rights to restrict animals less than 4 months old from flying as a service or emotional support animal. The department of transportation said on a conference call with reporters that if this legislation passes, airlines would not be restricted from allowing emotional support animals, but they would.