DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced that, consistent
with new regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT), the carrier is making changes to its policies regarding
trained service animals and emotional support animals. Effective
March 1, 2021, the airline will
accept only trained service dogs for travel and will no longer
transport emotional support animals.
With this revision, Southwest Airlines® will only allow service
dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for
the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability to travel
with the Customer. The types of disability include a physical,
sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability and
only dogs will be accepted (including those for psychiatric
service) — no other species will be accepted as a trained service
animal.
"We applaud the Department of Transportation's recent ruling
that allows us to make these important changes to address numerous
concerns raised by the public and airline employees regarding the
transport of untrained animals in the cabins of aircraft," said
Steve Goldberg, Senior Vice
President, Operations and Hospitality. "Southwest Airlines
continues to support the ability of qualified individuals with a
disability to bring trained service dogs for travel and remains
committed to providing a positive and accessible travel experience
for all of our Customers with disabilities."
As part of this change, Customers traveling with trained service
dogs now must present a complete, and accurate, DOT Service Animal
Air Transportation Form at the gate or ticket counter on their day
of travel to affirm a service animal's health, behavior, and
training. Customers should complete the form, which will be
available both on the airline's website and at airport locations,
after booking their travel.
Additionally, Southwest will no longer accept emotional support
animals for travel effective on March 1,
2021. Customers may still travel with some animals as part
of the airline's existing pets program for a charge; however, the
animals must meet all applicable requirements regarding in-cabin
stowage and species (dogs and cats only).
Customers who hold existing reservations for travel with
unaccepted animals after Feb. 28,
2021 may contact Southwest for more information and
assistance. Southwest's policies for traveling with trained service
animals can be reviewed at Southwest.com.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly
58,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130
million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of
point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure
and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019,
Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a
network of 101 destinations in the United
States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier
added service to Hilo, Hawaii;
Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs,
Calif.; Steamboat Springs and Montrose (Telluride), Colo. In 2021, Southwest
will begin service to both Chicago
(O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on Feb.
14; both Savannah/Hilton Head
and Colorado Springs on March 11;
both Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif. on April 12; Fresno,
Calif. on April 25; and
Jackson, Miss. on June 6.
The carrier issued
its Southwest® Promise in
May 2020 to highlight new and
round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees
well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning
efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, and face
covering requirements for Customers and Employees. Additional
details about the Southwest Promise are available
at Southwest.com/Promise.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to
describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and
fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only
major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone
(first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits
apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in
qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees,
though fare differences might apply.
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world,
known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the
carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its
People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to
efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives
back to communities across the world by
visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at
Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.