“Air travel is different drastically through the years, says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of Insurance, Florida's largest independent homeowners insurance agency.
Some from the changes have improved our travel experience, while some have been a real inconvenience. Listed are changes you can expect to see on airlines and in airports this year.
Service
and Emotional Support Animals
Flying with an animal will be more difficult this year. An
rise in emotional support animals on flights is responsible for an influx
of complaints from passengers, airline staff, as well as veteran and disability
groups. Many of these animals have lashed out at people.
In to address the problem, the U. S. Department of transportation (DOT) has issued clarifications regarding service animals on flights. Individual airlines is going to be required to review and adjust their policies according to that guidance. A listing of the guidelines shows up below.
- Airlines cannot ban a particular breed or types of
service animal however they can deny specific animals they feel could pose a
threat. - Airlines can require animal proprietors to provide
documentation associated with the animal's vaccination, training or behavior to
determine whether an animal poses a threat to the or safety of others. - Airlines may also require documentation for
flights over eight hours associated with an animal's bathroom habits but cannot have
outright bans on animals on long flights. - Airlines can require animals inside the cabin to
be tethered. - Airlines cannot require advance notice for all those
going with traditional service animals. - Airlines can require lobby check-in for emotional
support animals. - Airlines can inquire to find out a
passenger's need for the animal but must pay a medical for or letter that
meets DOT's criteria as medical documentation. - Airlines cannot restrict passengers from traveling
with more than one service animal and should not limit the total quantity of animals
on any flight. - Airlines can deny animals that are too large or
heavy to stay in the cabin and may prohibit animals younger than 4 months.
The current rule states airlines aren't required to accept
emotional support animals unless the passenger provides current documentation
for his or her need.
Families Sitting
Together
On some airlines, if you don't pay one more fee for seating assignments, your family is seated through the plane. Reader's Digest reports, European regulators pushed airlines to seat families together and expects to determine america do the same in 2021.
“The practice of separating families on the flight is ridiculous, no one wants to sit down alongside a toddler without their parent, says Ellsworth Buck, V . p . of Insurance, Florida's top independent home insurance agency.
REAL ID
Beginning October 1, 2021, every air traveler must present a REAL
ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced license, or other
acceptable types of identification, such as a valid passport or U.S. military
ID, to fly inside the United Sates.
Those
who are unable to verify their identity won't be permitted to go into the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint and won't be permitted
to fly. This would cause an uptick in DMV visitors.
A Increase in Technology
January 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) switched from ground-based radar to satellite technology, as part of their, NextGen project. The project is anticipated to enhance communication and navigation across our skies.
Airports
and airlines are progressively exploring new technology to help make the travel
process more effective. United Airline recently tested a new program using artificial
intelligence and algorithms to decide whether to hold a flight for a connecting
passenger. Airports will also be testing new technology to deal with the delays and
traffic around security.
Did you know your homeowners insurance or renters insurance often travels along with you? Find out what is covered, give Insurance a call today.
