Delta, Others Change Emotional Support Animal Rules

Delta, United and American airlines are implementing new rules for emotional-support animals.

Delta's policy 
United's policy
American's policy

The airlines and passengers complain poorly training and uncertified support animals increasingly disrupt flights. The animals misbehave, wander the cabin, defecate and sometimes bite passengers.

On Delta, passengers must provide a veterinary health form or vaccination record for either both service and emotional support animals. For comfort animals and psychiatric-service animals, passengers must also provide:

• A letter signed by a doctor or licensed mental-health professional stating the passenger’s need for the animal.
• A signed letter stating the animal is trained to behave without a kennel.

“This new policy is our first step in better protecting those who fly with Delta with a more thoughtful screening process,” said John Laughter, Delta’s senior vice president for corporate safety, security and compliance.