Delta Air Lines Tightens Rules for Service and Support Animals

Delta Air Lines Tightens Rules for Service and Support Animals
Delta Air Lines said on Friday that it was tightening its rules for transporting service and support animals in an effort to reduce misbehavior by dogs and other creatures
that air carriers are required by law to allow on board.
The number of service and support animals, which federal regulations say must fly at no cost
and uncaged, with some exceptions, has surged 150 percent on Delta planes since 2015.
Eric Lipp, the executive director of Open Doors Organization, a nonprofit group
that supports disabled travelers and tourists, described Delta’s new policy is “unfortunate” and “extreme.”
“People have abused the privilege and ruined the image of service animals,” Mr. Lipp said.
Customers, the airline said in announcing the move, had “attempted to fly with comfort
turkeys, gliding possums known as sugar gliders, snakes, spiders and more.”
But the surge has brought more instances of conflict among passengers, some of whom have complained about allergies
and other disturbances, as well abuses of the policy, with some travelers trying to avoid the costs of flying with regular pets.