Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, DC (January 19, 2018) — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA) supports Delta Air Lines' announcement of increased requirements for emotional support animals. AFA International President Sara Nelson today issued the following statement:

"AFA adamantly supports this move by Delta for increased requirements for emotional support animals. We are not surprised by their data that shows an 84 percent increase in reported animal incidents since 2016. We are seeing more and more animals in the cabin and it appears there is growing abuse of the system. We are hearing a public outcry to stop the abuse. We are especially concerned that if it is not put in check, those who legitimately need the animal support will not have access to it.

"We need better regulations in place to protect the rights of people with disabilities and our veterans who legitimately need to travel with these animals. We know first-hand that untrained animals can risk the safety, health and security of the passengers and crew. We hope other airlines will consider similar policies and that the Department of Transportation will take this opportunity to provide guidelines for curtailing abuse while protecting the needs of those with disabilities and veterans."

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The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 72 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.