US airlines align policies with DOT service animal rule

American, United, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines will allow only trained dogs to fly in aircraft cabins as service animals in alignment with the Department of Transportation’s new federal rules defining service animals. The rule takes effect on Jan. 11. Emotional support animals will only be permitted in cabins if they meet the criteria to fly as pets and their owners pay for it. Southwest Airlines said it “will announce any changes to our policies later in 2021.”