When must airlines provide accommodations for service animals?

The correct answer is that airlines must provide accommodations for service animals whenever a passenger with a disability requires them. This requirement is rooted in the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which mandates that airlines accommodate passengers with disabilities, including those who rely on service animals. Service animals are defined under the ACAA as dogs specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities.

This means that the accommodation is not limited to specific situations like boarding or restricted to guide dogs. Rather, it is a broader obligation that comes into effect whenever a passenger needing assistance indicates that they require their service animal for support due to their disability. Thus, the airline is obligated to make provisions for the service animal throughout the entire travel experience, including check-in, boarding, during the flight, and deplaning.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of the law. The requirement is not limited to just requests from passengers or specific types of animals; it encompasses any legitimate need for a service animal based on an individual's disability. Moreover, the obligation extends beyond the boarding process, as accommodations should be accessible at all stages of travel for the passenger and their service animal.