Even if your pooch is a breed fit for flying and you’ve followed all of the expert advice, air travel with a pet can still be stressful if the airports you’re traveling through aren’t equipped to accommodate furry flyers. To help your next pet-friendly adventure go smoothly, plan your trip through these thoughtfully designed airports across the U.S. Traveling with Fido will be a breeze thanks to amenities like pet relief stations, dog parks, on-site doggy daycare and more.
Fido's Favorite Airports
Posted by Billy Francis
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is New York’s busiest airport, and more people means more pets. Multiple terminals have access to post-security animal relief stations, making it easy to find one close by. The most impressive relief station is known as “The Wooftop” and is located in Terminal 5 past security. The 4,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop garden patio features artificial turf grass and benches and tables with seating for 50 people. In Terminal 4, there is a post-security restroom just for pets with artificial grass and drainage, a replica fire hydrant, a hose and bags for cleanup. Terminal 8 also boasts a post-security pet relief area with a 1,000-square-foot patch of natural grass for your leashed pet to stretch his legs. JFK also has an on-site animal care facility called The Ark at JFK which offers services like accompanying your pet through customs or to their cargo flight, overnight kennels for boarding, grooming and veterinary care, and pre-flight micro-chipping to track your animals.
In addition to being the most pet-friendly airport, JFK is home to one of the most pet-friendly airport hotels, the TWA Hotel. Pets are allowed in all public spaces on the property, including the Sunken Lounge, and there’s a grassy relief area outside.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
ATL is the busiest airport in the world and accommodates dogs arriving from around the globe. The giant airport features post-security indoor service animal relief areas (SARAs) to accommodate passenger pets and service dogs in every concourse. The airport also boasts a fenced 1,000-square-foot dog park that is located pre-security and features a grassy area, benches and biodegradable waste bags. ATL has an additional pre-security outdoor relief station in the arrivals area at the International Terminal. Pet Paradise Atlanta, located near the airport on Park 'N Fly property, provides boarding and doggy daycare, veterinary services and grooming. As an additional convenience for travelers, 24/7 pickup and drop-off is available by appointment.
La Quinta by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North is down the street from Pet Paradise and provides you and your dog with a place to stay before you jet off together.
Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix is one of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S., which may explain why Sky Harbor International Airport is so accommodating to canines. PHX is home to nine pet relief areas for your pooch to visit during his long journey from entrance to airplane. You’ll find the Pet Patch just east of Terminal 2, the Paw Pad in Terminal 3 - Level 1, and the Bone Yard in Terminal 4 - Level 1. There are post-security animal relief locations inside all three terminals, too. Sky Harbor International Airport has additional animal relief areas placed near the PHX Sky Train for four-legged travelers’ comfort: The East Economy Park & Bark and The Park n’ Play at the 44th Street Sky Train Station. Look out for the PHX Navigator Buddies on your way. This group of volunteer therapy dogs and their owners wander the terminals putting travelers at ease and taking part in programs.
Land with your Lab at Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport for a chance to stay in one of the top-rated pet-friendly hotel chains. This hotel has designated relief areas and spacious rooms to stretch out in before your journey in the sky.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX understands that A-list dogs are used to a certain kind of treatment. Featuring eight indoor and three outdoor dog rest areas, there are more pet relief stations here than any other U.S. airport. Depending on which one your pup chooses to visit, she’ll be able to enjoy fresh air in the outdoor atrium or artificial grass, fire hydrants, fresh water and bags for easy cleanup. If you’re leaving Fido with the rest of the pack at home, LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program features 30 trained dogs in red “Pet Me” vests who roam the terminals with their handlers, helping provide a less stressful travel environment for people missing their own pups.
Chill out before takeoff at Hilton Los Angeles Airport. This accommodating hotel welcomes dogs of all sizes and boasts pet-friendly rooms that overlook the runway.
Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport (MSP)
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is designed with dogs in mind and features pet and service animal relief areas at both terminals. There are three Terminal 1-Lindbergh locations. At Terminal 2-Humphrey, travelers can choose between one outdoor station with real grass or the indoor relief area with faux grass and a fake fire hydrant. If you need a pick-me-up from a pup, sniff out the MSP Animal Ambassadors doing important and cuddly work in the terminals. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport also houses Now Boarding, an affiliate of the Animal Humane Society. The company offers boarding, training and grooming services for your pet if you can’t fly with him. When your flight lands at the airport, Now Boarding will pick you up at baggage claim and return you to your pet and vehicle for free.
Four-legged frequent flyers with overnight layovers can refuel with treats during check-in at Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport South. There’s a grassy relief area for last-minute pee breaks, too.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the gateway to the pet-friendly city and is a great introduction to the accommodating attitude of Austinites towards dogs. The property features outdoor pre- and post-security pet relief areas, quarterly therapy dog events and a boarding facility on site. The “Dog Walk” is located pre-security and is a great spot to get some exercise in a well-lit space before or after your flight. Your dog can rehydrate at the pet drinking fountain, and you can clean up after him with provided dog waste pick-up bags and trash bins. If you can’t fly with Fido, Bark & Zoom is a pet hotel at AUS where you can board your pet and valet park your car. The facility is open around the clock, seven days a week so you can drop off or pick up your pet no matter your flight time.
Whether you need an Austin hub or a place to stay before you jet off, Casa Coronado is a great choice thanks to the well-maintained fenced backyard with turf and its location near the airport.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport only works with airlines that allow dogs and cats to fly in the cabin. With so many pet-friendly airlines to choose from, RNO proudly offers an indoor pet relief area and two pre-security outdoor dog parks to make sure all pets have somewhere to go before they have to go. RNO’s outdoor Bark Parks are fenced, have pet drinking stations, and provide clean-up bags and receptacles. The indoor pet relief area is located post-security and is completely enclosed, which is ideal for travelers with cats. Reno-Tahoe International Airport also offers the Paws for Passengers program which brings trained therapy dogs to the terminals to offer furry stress-relieving services. Each dog in the program has a trading card for frequent four-legged flyers to add to their collections.
Pups who stay at Aloft by Marriott Reno-Tahoe International Airport can relax in a room with laminate flooring on the ground floor with easy access to the pet relief area outside.
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Dallas Love Field Airport loves dogs who choose to fly here and shows it by offering an on-site dog park and outdoor and indoor animal relief areas. The airport’s Pet Park gives pups space to run, play and relieve themselves before your next adventure together. Additionally, a smaller pet relief area can be found at the end of the baggage claim hall on the lower level. The airport also has an indoor relief area post-security for last-minute pee breaks.
This pet-friendly urban retreat is situated in a great location next to the airport, where you can fill up on a feast together in the lovely backyard just in case the airplane food isn’t appetizing.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport is the largest airport by land mass in the U.S. and Fido’s gateway to the Mile High City. DEN receives a high score for pet-friendliness thanks to its pre-security outdoor relief area and indoor secure relief stations in Concourses A, B and C, and its on-site pet hotel. Your pooch will feel like he’s outside in the indoor relief areas, which have artificial turf flooring, an artificial rock, and murals depicting Colorado’s rugged mountain scenery. If your dog isn’t making the trip with you, book him a room at Wag Hotels Denver. This 25,000-square-foot boarding facility at the airport is open 24 hours every day, offers daycare and overnight stay services, and features amazing amenities like a bone-shaped pool. Passengers without pets who need a little puppy love before flying will relish a cuddle with one of the airport’s volunteer therapy dogs.
Book a room with a kitchenette to easily feed and water your pooch before you depart at Home2 Suites by Hilton Denver International Airport. This popular pet-friendly pitstop has grassy relief areas outside and provides canine guests with treats at check-in.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Home to Disney, Universal Studios and more, Orlando is a vacation destination for the whole family, and that includes Fido. To reach O-Town by airplane, you can fly into Orlando International Airport. While it might not be as shiny as the amusement park attractions awaiting your pack, the pet relief areas are a blessing before and after a flight. You’ll find two locations before security and a further five after you pass through it. If you can’t fly with your furry best friend, leave her in the capable hands of the canine experts at Pet Paradise Orlando Airport. This onsite location features premium boarding suites, expert grooming services, a pool and more.
For an affordable stay with a low pet fee close to the airport, book a room at Staybridge Suites Orlando Airport South an IHG Hotel. Canine guests can enjoy exploring the grassy space outside.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Dogs of diplomats and four-legged sightseers on a weekend trip to the nation’s capital can arrive and depart in comfort from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Pomeranians can pause for a break at one of five pre-security and one post-security pet relief areas at this bustling transport hub. The indoor doggy restrooms feature artificial grass, a fire hydrant and a sink for cleanup. Pups who need to sit a trip out can stay a stone’s throw away from the airport at District Dogs National Landing. This swanky pet hotel provides professional dog boarding, grooming, and training to meet your pet’s needs while you’re away.
It’s not top secret that Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is a great place to stay with your pooch in DC. Book a room with a view and take advantage of the pet relief area outside.