Delta Airlines Revises Its Policy on Service and Support Animals

Delta Airlines recently revised its policy regarding trained service animals, in response to concerns voiced by advocacy groups. These groups felt that blind or low vision consumers and others with disabilities were being inconvenienced by having to submit forms online prior to travel, according to John Laughter, Delta’s senior vice president of corporate safety, security & compliance.

According to a press release issued by Delta, on or after March 1, 2018, any customer traveling with a service or support animal will need to meet the following requirements before traveling with a service or support animal.

Traveling with a Trained Service Animal

• In some situations, customers with a trained service animal may be asked to show the animal’s Veterinary Health Form and/or an immunization record or other proof that the animal’s vaccinations are up to date. Customers are not required to submit the forms before travel, but they are encouraged to submit information to Delta’s Service Animal Support Desk on their website (Delta.com) before the scheduled travel date.
• These customers can check-in through Delta.com, the Fly Delta mobile app, airport kiosks, or with an airport agent.

Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal or Psychiatric Service Animal

• Customers traveling with an emotional support animal or psychiatric service animal are required to submit a signed Veterinary Health Form and/or an immunization record (current within one year of the travel date), an Emotional Support/Psychiatric Service Animal Request form (which requires a letter prepared and signed by a doctor or licensed mental health professional), and a signed Confirmation of Animal Training form. These forms must be submitted to Delta’s Service Animal Support Desk at Delta.com at least 48 hours in advance of travel.
• These customers must use the full-service check-in process with an airport agent.
• Delta’s Service Animal Support Desk will verify that the documentation noted above is received and will confirm the customer’s reservation to travel with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal prior to arrival at the airport. A Delta representative will contact customers by email to request missing or incomplete documentation prior to travel.

For more information about flying with service and support animals on Delta, visit their website.

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

The law that governs airlines is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA prohibits commercial airlines from discriminating against passengers with disabilities. Under ACAA, a service animal is any animal that is individually trained or able to assist a person with a disability, or any animal that assists persons with disabilities by providing emotional support, except for unusual animals, such as snakes, reptiles, rodents, ferrets, or spiders. Click here to learn more about the ACAA.

Learn More

• Your Legal Rights: Air Travel Fact Sheet
  Air Travel Factsheet.pdf
• Disability Resources
• Resources for Attorneys: Service Animal Briefs