David Heffernan and Robert Foster, attorneys in the firm's Aviation Regulatory Practice, co-authored, "Time To Curb Abuse Of Air Travel 'Support Animal' Rules," for Law360. Huge and growing numbers of passengers are claiming that their pets are “comfort” or “emotional support” animals, or ESAs — thereby requiring airlines to accommodate the animals in aircraft cabins on the basis that the passengers have disabilities. Misbehavior by untrained ESAs is threatening the health and safety of passengers and airline personnel, including passengers with disabilities who are traveling with legitimate service animals (which, unlike most ESAs, are trained to perform tasks and behave appropriately in public settings, including on board aircraft).
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