Delta Air Lines to crack down on emotional support animal use on flights

Delta Air Lines is tightening the rules on who can take emotional support animals on flights after a sharp rise in on-board incidents, including urination, defecation, biting and mauling.

The American airline will require extra documentation outlining passengers’ need for a support animal, plus proof of the relevant training and vaccinations, 48 hours before a flight.

The new rules come into play from 1 March 2018 following a dramatic increase in the number of people bringing animals on board – up 150 per cent since 2017, reports Reuters.

This has led to an 84 per cent rise in animal-related safety incidents, including a high-profile incident in which a 50-pound emotional support dog mauled another passenger.

“The rise in serious incidents involving animals in flight leads us to believe that the lack of regulation in both health and training screening for these animals is creating unsafe conditions across US air travel,” John Laughter, Delta’s senior vice president of corporate safety, security and compliance, said in a statement.

In the US, owners are allowed to be accompanied by their service animals in the cabin under federal law, as long as they do not pose a threat to the safety of others.

Emotional support animals are becoming increasingly common on flights, with an estimated 100,000 travelling in cabins in the US every year. Advocates argue these animals can lower blood pressure and help with stress.

Airports have also jumped on the bandwagon, with Cincinnati/Northern Ohio Airport introducing therapy miniature horses last year to help calm down stressed travellers passing through its doors.

Twice a month, the check-in area gets a visit from a pair of a 34-strong team of therapy horses provided by Seven Oaks Farm in Ohio.

Airports with therapy dogs have been on the increase in the States since San Jose started offering the service in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Thirty-odd American airports currently have dogs, while San Francisco has its own therapy pig.