(CNN) -
Airlines don't have to treat emotional support animals like service animals, according to a new rule.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) rule announced Wednesday states that "carriers are not required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals and may treat them as pets."
Additionally, airlines are also allowed to limit service animals to dogs.
The final regulation on air travel with service animals defines this type of animal as “a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability ”.
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Emotional support animals are prescribed by mental health professionals to provide their owners with comfort and support.
However, unlike service animals, they are not required to be trained in specific tasks.
The arguments behind the new rule
The airlines had asked the DOT to regulate this issue.
The request was, in part, out of concern that passengers were fraudulently placing their pets under the free category and with a more vague definition of emotional support animals.
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Flying with a small pet in the cabin can cost US $ 125 or more one way on US airlines.
The new rule was also prompted by an increase in complaints about service animals by passengers with disabilities.
Also due to a lack of clarity about the definition of "service animal" and the misconduct of emotional support animals, according to the DOT.
The department also cited disruptions caused by "requests to transport unusual species of animals on board airplanes," according to the DOT.
Pigs, peacocks, and other unexpected animals have previously flown as emotional support animals.
Airlines applaud new rule on emotional support animals on airplanes
Airlines for America, a trade group of American airlines, applauded the new regulations.
“Airlines are committed to promoting accessibility for passengers with disabilities and ensuring the safety of their trips.
The final rule from the Department of Transportation will protect the traveling public and airline crew members from untrained animals in the cabin, as well as improve the accessibility of air travel for passengers with disabilities traveling with dogs. trained service, "said the group's president and CEO, Nicholas E. Calio, in a statement.
American Airlines is also happy with the rule.
“This new rule reflects a respect for people with disabilities traveling with legitimate service animals, which we share, while providing clear and practical guidelines that will eliminate abuse of the system that has been of concern to our team members and customers, "said airline spokeswoman Stacy Day.
"We look forward to the improved experience that we will be able to provide our customers as a result, especially those with legitimate service animals," said Day.
The new rule allows airlines to require passengers traveling with service animals to fill out and submit a DOT form "certifying the animal's training and good behavior."
Also to "certify the good health of the animal."
The DOT said they received approximately 15,000 comments in response to a notice of the proposed rule published in the Federal Register in February 2020.
Those comments were taken into account when drafting the final standard.
The rule will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
No publication date has been set yet.