What You Need to Know About JetBlue's New Policy for Emotional Support Animals

After some high-profile animal incidents on planes in the last year, airlines are updating their policies on emotional support animals to protect themselves and customers alike.

JetBlue is the latest airline to tighten and modify its policies on animals taken onboard. American Airlines recently implemented its new policy, and United has completely banned certain dog breeds from traveling on its planes.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave your well-behaved pets home every time you travel, but you definitely shouldn't try to bring on any peacocks or pot bellied pigs. In their new guidelines, JetBlue states that the only animals permitted on planes will be dogs, cats, and miniature horses.

Owners of emotional support animals will need to submit advanced notification and documentation to JetBlue that they are traveling with an animal. Documentation includes a signed form from a medical or mental health professional, a veterinary health form, and a form confirming that the animal is fully trained and can behave properly while on board. The airline reserves the right to approve or refuse the animal at the airport.

“As always, we welcome the opportunity to support customers who require special assistance or accommodation while ensuring a safe environment for everyone onboard,” John Allen, vice president safety at JetBlue, said in a statement. “This is not only a requirement, it’s simply the right thing to do.”

The new policy goes into affect July 1, 2018. Policies for service animals, as opposed to emotional support animals, will remain unchanged.