Which types of support animals are recognized under the ACAA?

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) specifically recognizes trained service animals as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the ACAA, only dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities qualify as service animals. This means that they must be trained to assist a person with a specific disability-related task.

Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and other types of support animals do not meet the ACAA’s definition of a service animal. While they may provide comfort or companionship, they are not trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a disability. Therefore, under the ACAA, only trained service dogs are permitted to accompany their handlers in the cabin of an aircraft without charge, limited to those specifically recognized by this law.

This distinction is critical for understanding the types of animals permitted under the ACAA, as it aims to clarify the level of training required for an animal to qualify for access rights in air travel settings.