Recently, the US Department of Transportation announced a new set of guidelines for traveling with service and emotional support animals.

In summation, the US DOT stated that: “Airlines are prohibited from banning specific breeds of dogs on board flights as service or emotional support animals.”

On the surface, these guidelines seem to invalidate Delta Airlines’ policy of banning “pit bull type dogs” from traveling as service of emotional support animals. Airlines such as Alaska, American, Spirit, Southwest, and United have also tightened rules regarding ESA’s in recent times as well.

However, with this recent announcement, the DOT has made it very clear that taking any action against an ESA or service animal based on breed will no longer be accepted.

As a result, we anticipate that this will cause the airlines to reconsider their policies and adjust for the growing trend of emotional support animals.

This recent announcement comes at a crucial time in the world of emotional support animals. At time when the media seems to pounce on every isolated instance of a service dog or ESA misbehaving on a plane, it’s nice to see the FEDS actually going against the grain by lessening the restrictions.

If you are considering flying with your emotional support animal, you can get your airline form here.