When you plan a trip with your pet involving air travel, make sure you give it a safe flying experience. You must have spent ample time researching the pet-friendly hotels that will suit your furry companion. However, you need to be concerned about their safety and comfort during the whole process of flying.
As per the American Animal Hospital Association, approximately 76 million dogs and cats travel with their owners every year. Therefore, airports have now started to take notice.
The following airports have made strides in pet travel by providing designated areas for pet animals to get water, take a potty break, and stretch their legs. If your route has any of these stops, these airports give a significant way to reconnect with your pet once you reach your destination or while waiting for a connecting flight.
1. Atlanta:
We definitely have to include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in our list. This 1,000 square foot completely-fenced Poochie Park has
- flowers,
- grass,
- rocks, and
- benches
to get a bit of exercise, set the scene for dogs to sniff around, and do their usual business. Being one of the busiest airports in the world, it has its fair share of pets pass through. It always caters to their four-legged passengers and you will never regret carrying your travel partner.
2. Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Not only this airport has four assigned pet areas, but it also gives the onsite kennel taken care of by an airline (Continental Airlines) in the United States. The kennel offers space covering 1,100 square feet for
- exercise and runs pens,
- day kenneling,
- overnight kenneling, and
- grooming
3. Philadelphia: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
This beautiful airport has seven pet relief spots that include
- a mulch surface,
- a bench, and
- a faux fire hydrant
Every fenced-in location ranges from 250 to 600 square feet and also offers a trash can and pet waste bag dispenser. In this airport, passengers can carry their pet bowls manufactured by pet bowl manufacturers to serve four-legged buddies in the best way.
4. Phoenix: Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
This pet-friendly airport has three designated pet-friendly areas, namely:
- The Pet Patch,
- the Paw Pad, and
- the Bone Yard
These spots offer a place for various pets to wander, get relief, and sniff, as well as consume freshwater. Mitts for clean-up are also provided.
5. St. Louis: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
St. Louis International Airport offers two rest areas for outdoor pets. Four-legged animals are allowed to play off-leash in the area covering 400 square foot having gated spaces. This airport also include
- park benches,
- trash cans, and
- plastic mitts for cleanup.
6. Reno: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RTIA)
The “Bark Park” at this airport is designed to make pet travel as convenient as it could be. It offers a:
- restroom,
- fresh drinking water, and
- “Mutt Mitts”
All these are offered under a canopy to save travelers and their pets from the rough weather.
7. San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) San Francisco International Airport
This airport offers two relief areas for pet travel that are completely fenced and landscaped. They are well-equipped with
- drinking water,
- bowls, and
- garbage areas with “mutt mitt” dispensers.
The spots are available to all passengers along with their pets; 24 hours a day.
8. Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) LAX
This airport boasts two zones to make pet travel companions a little bit more comfortable. The Pet Park is equipped with a
- dog house,
- plastic bags, and
- trash can.
There is a pet rest area for convenience, although the animals must be on a leash.
9. Honolulu: Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Travelers’ companions get to “paws” at Honolulu International Airport’s grassy, fenced-in area under palm trees. You are offered with
- freshwater,
- plastic bags, and
- trash cans
For pets in transit, service dogs, and working airport animals.
Last Words
It is always wonderful to see the airports that take a leaf from the book of pet-friendly hotels and finding different ways to make pet travel less worrisome and more welcoming for pets and their carriers. This beautiful trend is bound to continue. So, check in with these airports and enquire about their pet services.
