SEATTLE, April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines
today announced a new policy for guests flying with emotional
support and psychiatric service animals.
For tickets purchased on or after May
1, guests traveling with emotional support or psychiatric
service animals must provide animal health and behavioral
documents, as well as a signed document from a medical doctor or
mental health professional, at least 48 hours in advance of
departure. The change does not apply to Alaska's policy for traditional service
animals.
"Alaska is committed to
providing accessible services to guests with disabilities and
ensuring a safe environment for all flyers," said Ray Prentice, Alaska Airlines' director of
customer advocacy. "We are making these changes now based on a
number of recent incidents where the inappropriate behavior of
emotional support animals has impacted and even injured our
employees, other guests and service animals."
In recent years, the overall number of emotional support and
psychiatric service animals traveling on Alaska Airlines has
increased dramatically. Every day, approximately 150 emotional
support and psychiatric service animals travel on Alaska Airlines.
"Most animals cause no problems," said Prentice. "However, over
the last few years, we have observed a steady increase in incidents
from animals who haven't been adequately trained to behave in a
busy airport setting or on a plane, which has prompted us to
strengthen our policy." Alaska Airlines consulted with its
disability advisory board and disability advocacy groups to ensure
that the expanded policy accommodates guests with
disabilities.
New Policy
For new bookings made on or after May 1,
2018, guests traveling with emotional support and
psychiatric service animals must email or fax Alaska Airlines three
completed documents, which will be available on alaskaair.com
starting April 30:
- Animal Health Advisory Form – On this form the flyer
acknowledges Alaska Airlines' recommendation that all emotional
support and psychiatric service animals travel with a
veterinary-issued health certificate.
- Mental Health Form – Currently required, this is a letter
issued by a mental health professional or medical doctor approving
the use of an emotional support and psychiatric service
animals.
- Animal Behavior Form – A signed affidavit affirming the
emotional support or psychiatric service animal is trained to
behave in public and that the owner accepts all liability for any
injuries or damage to property.
Additionally, just like traditional service animals, emotional
support and psychiatric service animals must be well-behaved in a
public setting and under the control of their owner or handler at
all times.
Guests with tickets purchased after May
1 who do not submit the required documentation 48 hours in
advance, will be offered to fly with their pet under existing
policies for travel in the cabin or in the temperature-controlled
cargo compartment. Existing fleet and breed restrictions, as well
as health certificate requirements, will apply. Learn more
here.
Alaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional
partners, flies 44 million guests a year to more than 115
destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across
the United States and to
Mexico, Canada and Costa
Rica. With Alaska and
Alaska Global Partners, guests can earn and redeem miles on flights
to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Learn about Alaska's award-winning service at
newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines,
Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group
(NYSE: ALK).
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines