These Are Some of The Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the United States

Traveling with a pet comes with its own unique challenges, ones you wouldn’t ordinarily think of unless you were planning a trip with your fur baby. Things like finding the right pet carriers to keep your pet both comfortable and fit under the seat in front of you are hard enough, but add flight delays and layovers into the equation and you have the makings of a very difficult experience for your pet.

Once upon a time, you could only find places to walk and toilet your dog outside of airport terminals before passing through security. But thanks to nationwide laws designed to accommodate travelers with service animals, any airport with 10,000 or more passengers per year is required to provide accommodations for travelers with pets. That doesn’t mean all airports are created equal, but some airports really go above and beyond to ensure air travel isn’t just possible but is also a fun and pleasant experience for every member of the family.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona features nine separate pet relief stations both before and after security, so whether you are starting your journey there or just stopping through on a layover, pets get a chance to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Inside the terminals, these stations have imitation grass pads, tiny fire hydrants, along with sinks and sanitation products so you can clean up after your pet.  

New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport goes the extra mile to accommodate furry travelers with a woof-top outdoor patio that not only provides a grassy area for animals to exercise and do their business, but the fresh air and relaxing seating provided are a welcome addition for weary travelers who have been cooped up inside an airplane fuselage.

Philadelphia International Airport has given over a significant amount of terminal real estate to accommodate visiting animals. Seven separate pet relief areas are located in terminals A through F and provide options both before and after security checkpoints. Each station provides 80 square feet for animals to stretch, sniff and go to the bathroom.