ATLANTA — Delta Airlines is further tightening restrictions on emotional support animals on flights.

  • Starting December 18, no support animals on flights longer than 8 hours
  • Service animals younger than 4 months also banned
  • Delta will make exceptions for people who bought tickets before Dec. 18

The airline announced this week that it would ban emotional support animals on flights lasting longer than 8 hours. 

The airline would also no longer allow service or emotional support animals younger than four months of age on flights. 

The new rules take effect for people purchasing tickets on our after December 18.

People who bought tickets before December 18 for travel up to February 1, and already requested to bring an emotional support animal, will still be allowed.

Delta says it has seen an 84 percent increase in reported incidents involving service and support animals, including having accidents in the cabin, biting, and even attacking a passenger. 

Earlier this year, Delta limited each customer to one emotional support animal, and banned pit bull-type dogs from being on planes as support or service animals.

People who bring animals on a plane still need to fill out documentation regarding the animal and follow other requirements, which can be found on Delta's website.