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Traveling With Pets Made Easy With Pet-Friendly Airports

  • Tips & Trips
  • Renee Martin
  • 11 minutes

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Choupette Lagerfeld was the celebrated designer Karl Lagerfield’s equally celebrated cat. With two caretakers and frequent trips on private jets, that cat lived her best life. But let’s be real, most of our furry buddies can’t travel in such style, no matter how much we’d love to treat them like royalty. But there are some airports in the US that will give your fur baby the royal treatment. I’ve put together a list of pet-friendly airports and some other useful tips to make traveling with your pet as smooth as possible.

Save on Airport Parking

Flying with a pet is easy – said no one ever! It’s important to know about the possible problems before you start your journey with your furry (or feathery) friends. Here are some common issues people face while flying with their pets:

  • Stress: Flying can be scary for pets. Acclimate them to the carrier and consider calming aids.
  • Paperwork: Each airline has different rules! Check carrier size, health certificates, vaccines, and age restrictions.
  • Temperature: Avoid flying in extreme heat or cold as cargo holds aren’t temperature-controlled.
  • Accidents: Pack food, water, meds, and vet contact info. Be prepared for messes.
  • Lost pets: Microchip your pet and attach ID tags and your contact info to the carrier.

By being aware of these common issues and taking steps to prepare your pet, you can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for both of you.

Top 10 pet-friendly airports in the US

With tons of airports to choose from, here are some of the very best to book your and your pet’s flights from!

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston)

This pet-friendly airport has outdone itself with pet services. With four designated areas for pet parents to choose from, they also offer onsite kennel services for those looking to board their pets for a short while.

The kennel is 1100 square feet of pet bliss – with playpens, opportunities for daycare, overnight stay, and grooming packages, the airport promises great customer (and pet) services.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (Atlanta)

Proudly housing a 1000 square foot, fully fenced dog park, the ATL has designed it to make it a multipurpose facility for dogs and their owners. With plenty of greenery like grass, flowers, rocks, and benches to rest your weary selves on, the park is big enough for dogs to play, relieve themselves, and rest.

And it’s a sight for sore eyes for weary pet parents who are trying to handle the grind of traveling!

Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix)

With three designated areas for pets namely the Pet Patch, the Paw Pad, and the Bone Yard, the airport provides a place for recreation and nature call for furry travelers. Clean-up equipment is provided to pet parents to clean up after their animals.

Philadelphia International Airport (Philadelphia)

This pet-friendly airport has seven designated areas for pets, so no matter which terminal you’re walking through, there’s always a place for your pet. Up to 600 square feet large, the pet areas accommodate mulch surfaces, benches for rest, and ample space for relieving services.

The fully fenced areas also offer pet waste equipment and trash cans for those busy travelers who forgot to pack dispenser bags with them!

Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles)

Though pets must be on a leash, the large designated areas for furry travelers come equipped with dog houses, trash, and disposal facilities. The other pet area is for pet rest, so your tired animal can take a nap before a long day of travel.

Tons of opportunity for rest and recreation, pet-style!

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (Reno)

The Bark Park at the airport offers comfort services for weary travelers and agitated pets. With a canopied roof, plenty of fresh water, restrooms, and a lot of space for pets to play, relieve, and nap, the park also offers Mutt Mitts for clean up! It is a great place to relax if you’re early for your flight and a cool area for your pet to spend some time on hot summer days.

Denver International Airport (Denver)

Pet parents don’t have to worry about their furry friends missing their exercises. The DIA has a sizable area constructed just for pets, where owners can bring them in for exercising and relieving before and after long flights.

And as a plus, it’s enclosed and is also accessible for disabled passengers who are traveling with their service animals!

Honolulu International Airport (Honolulu)

With palm trees, soft grass, and tons of fresh air, this airport is certainly pet-friendly and allows for one last bout in nature before they get on a plane.

Your pet gets fresh water, great air, and tons of space to relieve themselves! Pet owners are also offered clean-up equipment in case they forget to pack some of their own!

John F. Kennedy Airport (New York)

The Big Apple doesn’t offer anything less than a luxury. The JFK airport houses a luxury dog resort for animals in transit or travel. With pet restrooms constructed right next to “human” restrooms, the airport is a little more than pet-friendly.

They’re also in talks of constructing a terminal exclusively for pets, catering to large ones like horses and small ones like the little house cat.

Miami International Airport (Miami)

The beach isn’t just for you. With MIA hosting furry travelers in tons of pet relief areas and two dog parks, your pet doesn’t have to stay home!

The areas are furnished with concrete and grass and are fenced in for security. Weary travelers can relax while their furry friend runs around and relaxes before or after a long flight!

Mineta San Jose International Airport (San Jose)

This pet-friendly airport has some great services for your furry friends. With Terminal A housing a designated relief space outdoors, and Terminal B having a fenced area with faux fire hydrants, you don’t have to worry about your pet’s bathroom business anywhere.

With grass and artificial turf, Terminal B is a favorite amongst the energetic pets!

Pet-friendly Services

If you’re going on a trip and there’s no one to take care of your pet at home, you should check out some services before choosing which airport to travel from.

Pet Relief Stations

When you’re traveling with your pet, make sure to look for airports that are pet-friendly and have designated areas where they can do their business. These areas are important whether you’re waiting for your flight or in transit. So, before booking your flight, make sure to check if the airport has such animal relief areas. Some of the pet relief stations even have poo bags for you to use.

Pet Boarding

If you’re living alone and need to go on a trip in a rush, find an airport that takes care of pets. Check if they give your furry friend enough food, medical care, and a cozy place to stay to ensure that they don’t get anxious about the separation and the new environment. Some of these places even provide webcams so you can keep an eye on your pet from afar! For those of us who have cats, it’s a real lifesaver.

Daycare facilities

For those one-day meetings in another city or a small emergency, check out airports that offer daycare facilities for pets. You could sign your pet up for a “pawdicure” and other grooming services. Some airports also include small swimming pools for certain pets to enjoy and also offer pick-and-drop services in their package. Your pet gets a day of fun while you get your work done!

Mini Parks

Don’t forget that animals need their daily walks to keep their bodies and bowels healthy. If you’re catching a flight or dropping off your furry friend at a pet hotel, make sure the airport has parks where they can stretch their legs. As a dog owner, you know how crucial this is!

What to Expect When Travelling with a Pet

If you’re planning to take your furry friend on a flight, you should know that there are certain rules and regulations you need to follow. Your pet’s health, vaccination status, ownership, and the purpose of travel are some of the things that the airport authorities will check before issuing them a boarding pass. So, be prepared for all the security measures and ensure that your pet meets all the requirements.

Identification

Make sure your furry friend has a microchip and a valid pet passport checked by a licensed vet before starting anything.

Health Check

Make sure your furry friend is ready to fly before you book your tickets. Take your pet to a licensed vet to check their health status and make sure they are not carrying any harmful diseases. Your vet will also make sure your pet has received all the necessary vaccinations for the country you’re traveling to. Once everything checks out, your vet will give you a certified clean bill of health, and you’ll be good to go!

Transporting Animals

Make sure you check your airline’s rules regarding pets before you travel with your furry friend. You’ll need to let the airline know that you’re bringing your pet along and buy a ticket for them too. Also, don’t forget to follow the airline’s guidelines on travel cages and compartments.

  • Cabin Transport: Just so you know, your furry friend can ride in the cabin with you if they fit in a soft carrier that can fit in the overhead compartment.
  • Cargo transport: If your pet is too big, they’ll have to travel as cargo. Before taking them on a flight, make sure they’re healthy enough to handle the long journey. Airlines usually require the cargo hold to have water bowls and food for pets.

Security Check

This may induce a little anxiety. Your pet will walk through a body scanner to be vetted for harmful/illegal products which means they will have to be removed from their carrier. If your pet is excitable or panics when there’s a crowd, this process could take some time.

Since you’ll have your hands full with your pet, pack light and have minimal things on you to ensure smooth and quick security screening for your pet.

Airline Service Policies

Inform your airline no later than 48 hours about your companion.

Some airlines will also require you to sedate your animal before the flight to reduce any physical or emotional stress for the animal. Plan ahead for this and show up early to help process your pet for a boarding pass.

Allergic Travelers

Be prepared for the storm of travelers who are allergic to animal fur. For this, you have to be flexible with changing your seat and showing up early to find a good seat and overhead compartment for you and your friend.

And not to mention the grumpy looks you’ll be getting from such people!

Toilet Breaks

Whether it’s scheduled or simply a stress response, be sure to know where the closest pet relief areas are so you can rush your pet in a bathroom emergency.

Also, carry some clean-up equipment for unplanned accidents during security checks.

The Stress

Getting your pet through the airport parking and into the terminal is a very stressful task. Your pet will be either excited or scared by the crowd. The procedure he/she will be subject to is a little taxing, so be mentally prepared to deal with any pet tantrums.

It’s best to show up early to handle this process as smoothly as possible.

Before You Get on the Airplane

Traveling with pets requires careful planning and lots of budgeting for time.

Do Research

This means researching your destination for pet-friendly services and doctors and tallying your animal’s health insurance with services there.

Carry a First Aid Kid

Carry some basic medication for your pet to make their air travel comfortable and to avoid any emergencies that may arise during air travel or during your trip.

Carriers

Check the airline carrier guidelines as per the legal regulations, the flight regulations, and your animal’s comfort.

Also, make sure to not leave anything potentially harmful in your pet’s carrier or crate!

Last Minute Activities

Before you and your friend get on the plane, make sure your pet has had plenty of exercise and enough hydration for the trip.

If your airline requires sedation, make sure to check with your vet which medication is compatible with your animal’s physiology.

Ask Questions and Know Your Rights

Traveling with pets can be tricky because of different airline guidelines. Before you book from a certain airport or airline, be sure to know what services the airport offers for your pet, what in-flight and check-in protocols your airline recommends, and also know your pet’s legal rights for comfortable and safe travel.

Last, But Not the Least

Remember to pamper your pet with tons of love before you travel, whether by plane or road trip. The unfamiliar surroundings and separation anxiety can take a toll on your furry friend!

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