The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transportation of service animals by air to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a carrier shall not require a qualified individual with a disability to provide advance notice of his or her intention to travel or of his or her disability as a condition of receiving transportation or of receiving services or accommodations required by this part.

Title 14, Chapter II, Part 382 covers traveling with a service animal. Relevant sections have been reproduced below. Though not required by Part 382, it is a good idea to inform the airline that you will be traveling with your service animal. (Section 382.33 lists situations that do require advanced notice.)

From a Department of Transportation publication offering Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation