Alaska Airlines Makes More Changes to Support Animal Policy

Alaska Airlines announced Thursday it is once again changing its support animal policy, this time to limit the number and type of emotional support and service animals.

Officials from the airline revealed that Alaska is working to align its policy to meet the changes made by the majority of major carriers in the United States. The updated information will provide clear guidance and a safe travel experience for guests and employees.

The new policy, which goes into effect October 1, will impact passengers with emotional support animals. Travelers will be limited to one animal per person, all species other than cats and dogs will be banned, owners must have their animal in a carrier or on a leash and provide appropriate documentation and 48-hours advance notice.

As for customers with trained service animals, the airline will limit the species allowed to dogs, cats or miniature horses and animals must be under the control of their owner at all time. No documentation is required for service animals, including trained psychiatric service animals.

For passengers who traveled on outbound Alaska flights prior to October 1, they will be permitted to transport their trained service animal or emotional support animal in accordance with the existing policy when they return on or after October 1.

Alaska customers who are scheduled to travel with more than one emotional support animal after October 1 will be eligible for a full refund.