The Most Dog-Friendly Airports in the US

Traveling by air is stressful enough; adding your furry family member to the mix can cause even more anxiety. Long wait times, layovers, and delayed flights can make things difficult for traveling pet owners, especially if flights get changed. Traveling with a pet comes with a lot of planning and extra time needing to be accommodated for. Let’s go over some of the most dog-friendly airports and their highlights.

• Denver International Airport – Not only does Denver offer private restrooms in their Jeppesen Terminal, it also has an on-airport pet resort called Paradise 4 Paws with private suites, televisions, massage therapy, medical experts, and training.
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul – With two terminals housing an indoor and outdoor pet relief area, this airport also has a 24/7 pet boarding facility with boarding, daycare, spa, and training.
• Detroit Metro – This airport offers relief areas at every terminal, with two terminals having a relief area both pre and post-security.
• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson – Atlanta is special because it offers a fenced in 1,000-square foot dog park in addition to its pet relief areas.
• Reno Tahoe – Reno one ups Atlanta by offering two dog parks that are fully fenced, have funning water, and a canopy for hot or wet days.
• Philadelphia International – A top contender, Philadelphia offers seven relief areas in every terminal.
• New York JFK – This airport is in the process of constructing a terminal focusing on the needs of pets. This will include boarding, grooming, stalls for horses, and a veterinary clinic!

Airport maps can easily be found online with a simple search. Before traveling with your pet, take a look at every airports you’ll be passing through. Be aware that some airports will only have relief areas outside of security, so if you have a short layover you may need to hustle or skip the potty break. It may be a good idea to check the other terminals of the airports you will be at, as it could change while you’re in the air. When your dog is stressed, there’s a good chance he will be panting more than usual, making him thirstier thus needing more potty breaks. Pay attention to your pet and his needs throughout your trip, planning direct flights whenever possible.

Fun fact: some airports are offering therapy dogs to provide stress relief and comfort to passengers. San Diego is one of the airports that offers this. If you’re not traveling with your pet and need some snuggles, look into the airports you will be at and see if they offer some therapy dog opportunities!