Pet Friendly Airports

You've heard about "pet friendly" airlines and, if you've spent much time on our site, you know it's possible to transport a pet from one side of the world to the other, but what does the pet air travel process actually entail? CNN recently took a closer look at Continental's PetSafe Program to show high-flying pet lovers how it all works.

The video below offers more about Continental's safety protocols and is especially helpful if you'd like to see the pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo areas where pets are safely stowed.   Not only does Continental offer pet flights to a number of popular domestic and international destinations (one of their newer routes offers pet friendly travel to Frankfurt), they're also able to handle pets safely during the summer and winter months when other pet airlines have embargoed pets, thanks to their climate-controlled conditions on and off the tarmac for pets traveling in their PetSafe program.  

Perhaps most importantly, Continental Airlines is committed to improving pet air travel safety standards and keeping pet owners informed.  One of the biggest hot-topic issues?  Summer pet travel safety.  Last summer, Continental joined us in offering these summer pet travel safety tips.



Read more about Continental on our blog and feel free to share your stories about pet travel here in the comments or on our Facebook page!

In week four of our Pet Friendly Airport Series, we're spotlighting Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Like the others we've featured, this airport has adapted to accommodate service animals and traveling pets by offering a few different pet relief areas located throughout the facility - including two indoor locations with unusually efficient features.

We interviewed Courtney Mickalonis, a representative from IAD, to find out more about the amenities found here.

How many designated pet areas can be found at this airport, and what amenities are offered?

We have five pet relief areas at Dulles International Airport. These areas are covered with a special “K9 grass” that is comfortable for the animals, sanitary and easy to clean and maintain. Our indoor locations are additionally equipped with a special flushing system to help keep the areas clean. We provide waste receptacles and bags at all locations and ask owners to dispose of solid waste.



What is the history of this pet friendly addition?

A recent federal regulation required all airports to designate animal relief areas for service animals that accompany passengers. We opened the outdoor areas on either side of the Main Terminal last summer for both service animals and passengers traveling with pets. These areas complied with the federal regulation, however Washington Dulles is a large airport and we realized it would be more convenient for our passengers to also have pet relief areas in the concourse areas. The concourse locations are especially helpful for passengers with connecting flights who may not have a lot of time between flights. They can quickly take their animal for a break without having to travel to the Main Terminal and clear security again.

Our challenge was to create an indoor space that is comfortable for the animals and also easy to keep clean. Our airport engineers researched numerous materials and drainage systems in order to design these interior spaces unique to our airport. They created a special irrigation system built into the room that rinses the floor area with the push of a button and installed washable “K9 grass” that is specially treated to prevent disease transmission and odors.

What are the specific locations of these pet relief areas?

The location serving the A and B-Gates is located between the concession area and Gate A-31. The location serving the C and D-Gates is located across from Gate D-1. Our three outdoor locations are located pre-security.



How many dogs can use the areas at once? Have there been any crowding issues?

We have not experienced crowding issues at our pet relief areas. We have seen up to three dogs in the area at the same time.  We rely on the dog owner to know how their dog reacts to other dogs.  We have seen some owners wait until the space is clear of all dogs before entering with their dog. We do ask owners to clean up after their animals and we provide bags and receptacles for solid waste. Our indoor locations additionally feature a special button on the wall that owners can push to activate a specially designed irrigation system that rinses the room. Our passengers have been cooperative about cleaning up after their animals and “flushing” the indoor locations before they leave.

Do you have staff members specifically assigned to supervise the pet area?

No, but we do have our cleaning contractors visit the spaces a few times each day to ensure the areas are clean.

How many pets use these facilities each year?

Our pet areas are always open for the traveling public to use. We don’t require passengers to check-in at these areas so we have no way of tracking how many pets have used them. We have received numerous positive comments from passengers since the pet relief areas opened, but we don’t have statistics.
 

What advice do you have for travelers with pets?

Contact your airline before you book your flight to determine their policy for traveling with pets. Many airlines post their pet policies on their websites or you can call the airline’s customer service number.

Are there any future improvements or expansions planned?

We are currently constructing a sixth animal relief area in the International Federal Inspection Area for transferring international passengers. This will be an outside facility that passengers will be able to access without needing to be escorted by airport personnel. This new area will open next year.

Where does the funding come from for projects like this?

The funding comes from the airport’s budget.

What is your favorite part about the pet area at your airport? Do you have any fun stories to share?

My favorite part is hearing from our passengers. Indoor pet relief areas are a fairly new concept for airports and many passengers are surprised to learn we have a special place for their pets. Our airport engineers worked hard to design these spaces and we are happy to provide this customer service for our passengers traveling with pets. We want to help make their trip (and their pet’s trip!) through our airport more pleasant and convenient.


Courtney Mickalonis is an Assistant Media Relations Manager for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates and manages Dulles International and Reagan National Airports in Washington, D.C. Thanks for talking with us, Courtney!

Follow the airport on Twitter (@dcairports) and be sure to check back with us tomorrow for more about IAD and its one-of-a-kind pet relief areas.





PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

We're continuing our pet-friendly airport coverage by once again examining Dulles International (IAD). The fact that two of the five pet relief areas here are located inside of security set IAD apart from most other airports; this innovation definitely has the potential to make life easier for pet travelers and people with service animals.  However, this also means that the pet relief areas are located inside, which requires a pretty technical system for keeping the area clean and sanitary.

Luckily, IAD had some fun when designing their pet relief area by incorporating astroturf grass with a cleaning feature underneath and even a fun fire hydrant.  To see the nitty gritty details surrounding how Washington Dulles International's indoor pet areas work, check out this video made by a pet air travel researcher. 






PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Now that we've taken a good look at four different airports and the pet travel amenities they offer, a few things have been made clear: Many facilities have come a long way, but there is still room for improvement.

We've heard that a few airports have plans in the works to improve their facilities; Reed Barnes, a representative from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (the MSY pet relief area is pictured at left) told us that they're researching what it would take to install a few pet areas inside of security. We'd imagine (and we hope) that other savvy airports are doing the same.

Until then we can continue to make the best of pet relief areas at the airports and practice good pet travel etiquette by behaving respectfully. We can also reach out to airports via social media and let them know what we think. Thoughtful feedback and saying "Thanks" when thanks are due will certainly keep the momentum going.

Here are a few focused suggestions, a wish-list if you will, for airports to consider as they continue to expand and improve their pet friendly accomodations.

1. Help keep pet friendly travel simple. Sometimes just having a pet relief area at an airport feels like a blessing, but ideally each airport would have a relief station inside of security. During a layover especially, there's not always time to trek outside the airport itself when your dog needs to take care of business.

2. Expand. To truly qualify as pet friendly, an airport should have more than one area. Large hubs can take a few minutes to traverse, so a relief area, even a small one, in each major terminal would truly live up to the idea of "relief."

3. Be Accessible. This is an airport, not a scavenger hunt. Clearly label the pet areas, advertise them on the web site and feature them on airport maps. Be sure that both airport and airline staff can provide assistance to pet travelers who may have questions and time constraints.

4. Engage with Pet Owners Using Social Media. Many airports realize that Twitter and Facebook are not just passing trends, but not everyone seems to have jumped onboard. Updating followers with information and tips, letting people connect to one another, and building a community of pet travelers will show the world that the facility is up-to-date and ready for whatever comes along.

5. Show some personality. Follow the example of places like Atlanta and Phoenix, who have made their pet areas stand apart with distinctive artwork and a little something extra. Traveling can be a hassle, and unexpected details, however small, can make the whole experience more bearable.

Pet owners, how do you think airports could help make travel more pet friendly?  Feel free to offer your own tips and suggestions in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

We've covered three airports so far in our Pet Friendly Airport Series, and during our final week we'll be featuring pet travel at Dulles International in Washington, DC (IAD). This airport stands apart from most others in that it offers two pet relief areas both inside security and inside the building for travelers with pets. Being able to take care of your pet without having to exit and enter secured areas can be a very valuable time saver for pet travelers on the go - especially these days, when flight delays tend to shorten layovers more often than not, no matter how friendly the pet airline is.

Pet travelers will probably be pleasantly surprised to discover two weather-protected relief areas located near the departing gates rather than the parking lots. Consisting of clearly-marked rooms with astro-turf type material that automatically cleans itself after a dog uses it, these modern areas exceed the minimum standards and hopefully signal the wave of the future.


Dulles has the right idea by providing this service, and hopefully more airports will soon follow their lead. On cold, snowy days or when there's hardly time to make it to your connecting flight, it would be nice to have a truly convenient pet relief area that felt like a legitimate part of the airport instead of just an afterthought.

Have any of you had the opportunity to use the pet-relief amenities at IAD? Did everything function properly? What did you think of the set-up? Like we said before, the more information we all share with each other, the better all of our travel experiences will be!



PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

As part of our Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series, we've highlighted a few different hubs and discussed the best ways to make the most of an airport's pet relief area. In addition to using such a place to your greatest advantage, it's important to give something back by displaying civility and good manners as well. In other words, be savvy, efficient and responsible, too, by keeping the following conscientious goals in minds.



1. Clean up after yourself. We may skirt around it a little to be polite, but the number one reason you're visiting a pet area is for its bathroom facilities. Most of these places offer baggies or "mutt mitts" to inspire you to do the right thing. Do everyone a favor and use them.

2. Play nicely. In any situation where pets are in the position to mingle with one another, it's important to exercise diligence and restraint. Keep your dog on a leash until it's clear that this is will be a friendly encounter, and speak to the other pet owners and make sure you're on the same page about playing and boundaries.

3. Watch your time. It isn't often a problem, but where there's a capacity limitation it's important to make sure everyone has a chance to use the space provided. Schedules usually run pretty tightly at airports, so, if necessary, step back when your dog has done his business to give everyone time to enjoy the facilities.

4. Say Thanks. After using a relief area, you'll likely have feedback to offer (and hopefully some appreciation), so consider sending an email or using Facebook or Twitter to tell the airport about your experience. Not only will your message have the potential to encourage them to keep up the good work and possibly expand and improve their pet travel facilities, you'll help your fellow pet travelers by giving them an idea of what to expect.

5. Represent the pet community. Unfortunately, not everyone carries love in their hearts for other people's pets or understands what it's like to travel with them. The best response to countering pre-conceived notions and cynicism is to behave respectfully and responsibly. Give skeptics their space and offer no reason to make anyone feel uncomfortable or inconvenienced by the presence of your furry traveling companion.

Do you have any pet travel tips to share? Let us know what lessons you've learned along the way. Your fellow PetRelocation readers will surely appreciate it!



PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

This post is all about threes. It's week three of our Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight and day three of our our exploration of Phoenix Sky Harbor - which has three designated pet areas in all.

As we've discussed, PHX aims to be an attractive and ultra-friendly airport, a fact that applies to the needs of the pets and service animals who pass through here as well as the human travelers.

Enjoy this mini-video tour for a closer look at the facilities here, and continue to check back with us during the rest of the month as we continue to explore more pet friendly airports.









PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Yesterday we gave you an introduction to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and the pet relief areas found here, and today we'll go into a little more depth by sharing this recent interview with Claire Simeone Stern, the Public Information Officer at PHX. Thanks for the info, Claire!

How many designated pet areas are there at this airport, and what amenities are offered?

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has three pet parks, one outside each of our three terminals. The Bone Yard is located at the northwest corner of Sky Harbor's busiest terminal, Terminal 4. It opened in December 2003 and is approximately 2700 square feet. The Paw Pad is located on the northwest corner of Terminal 3 and is approximately 2200 square feet. It opened in May 2005. The Pet Patch is our most recently constructed pet park. It opened in May 2009 and is located on the northeast corner of Terminal 2. The Pet Patch is nearly 490 square feet.

All three of Sky Harbor's pet parks are fully fenced and feature Mutt Mitts for cleaning up after your pet. The Bone Yard and Pet Patch have absorbent doggie litter and the Pet Pad has evergreen turf. The Bone Yard and Pet Pad both have water spigots as well.

Each park is maintained regularly by our staff.


What is the history of this pet friendly addition?

Back in 2003 our staff really saw a need for a pet park, which sparked the idea for the Bone Yard outside Sky Harbor's busiest terminal. Prior to the construction of the Bone Yard, there really wasn't any place for owners to take their pets for a bathroom break or to stretch their legs. Sky Harbor has a significant amount of animals that come to the airport, travel through the airport, or work at the airport. We have service animals traveling with their companions, working dogs who are part of the Phoenix Police K-9 team at the airport, traveling pets, and many people bring their pets to the airport when they come to pick up family and friends.

Do you have to leave security to reach these areas?

Yes, all three pet parks are located outside the terminals.

How many dogs can use the areas at once? Are their any guidelines to follow and have their been any crowding issues?

We haven't experienced any crowding issues. Owners are asked to pick up after their dogs.

Do you have staff members specifically assigned to supervise the pet area?

No. Although we do have maintenance staff assigned to maintain the three pet parks.

What advice do you have for travelers with pets?

We always advise that people who are planning to travel with their pets contact their airline directly to find out about the airline's policies. In Phoenix, because of our summer heat, many airlines have strict policies about checking a pet as cargo when the weather gets to certain temperatures.

Are there any future improvements or expansions planned?

We don't have any current plans to change or enhance our pet parks, but we are always looking for feedback from our customers on what we can do to improve. Customers are encouraged to email us directly at skyharbor@phoenix.gov with suggestions or questions.

Where does the funding come from for projects like this?

Our pets parks are funded through revenue generated here at Sky Harbor.



What is your favorite part about the pet area at your airport? Any fun stories to share?

I love being able to tell people that we have three pet parks - we are incredibly pet friendly! In fact, one day as I was walking through Terminal 3, I heard baa-ing. Someone had traveled with their goat! So many people travel with their pets and bring their pets to the airport when they come to pick up their loved ones, so we see pets here all the time.

Claire Simeone Stern is the Public Information Officer at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and she is also an animal lover. She has a dog named Sweetie and a (slightly crazy) cat named Vito. Visit Sky Harbor online at skyharbor.com or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/PHXSkyHarbor.  


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Sky Harbor was dedicated in 1935 (meaning it recently celebrated its 75th anniversary) and has since become one of the top ten busiest airports in the country. They currently offer three pet relief areas known as The Boneyard, The Paw Pad and The Pet Patch. Many pet travelers have enjoyed these features; as we've previously discussed, the chance to take a break from the stresses of traveling can make all the difference.

Before we get into the pet friendly details of this airport (the third to be featured in our Pet Friendly Airport Series), here's a little fun history and a few facts about Phoenix Sky Harbor.



-Sky Harbor became a destination in itself in the 1930s, when Arizona's marriage laws differed from many other states by not requiring a three-day waiting period. Offering the allure of quick weddings, a chapel built near the airport soon became a popular place for jetsetting couples looking to tie the knot in a hurry.

-PHX was purchased by the city of Phoenix in 1935 for $100,000.

-There are over 30,000 parking spaces at the airport.

-Phoenix Sky Harbor calls itself "America's Friendliest Airport."

-More than 1,200 aircraft and 100,000 passengers arrive and depart on a typical day at PHX.

-Unlike many airports, Phoenix Sky Harbor International offers free Wi-Fi in all terminals and in restaurant and gate areas.

-PHX is home to various exhibits and features art displays as well as a 1917 World War I plane.

 

Follow PHX on Twitter, and check back this week to learn even more about this airport.


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Here we are again, continuing our exploration of pet friendly travel amenities at various airports around the country. Unfortunately we don't have time to examine every pet area in existence, but luckily there are plenty of knowledgeable travelers out there who have taken the time to check out and report on a few airports, too. We've compiled a list of findings here, and as usual, feel free to share your own airport experiences with us here or on our Facebook page!

Dog Jaunt is one of our favorite pet travel blogs. It's packed with fresh and comprehensive information featuring the firsthand experiences of a globetrotting Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Chloe, and we were happy to discover that Mary-Alice Pomputius, the author of the blog, has created a guide to airport pet-relief areas. Take a look at what she found at 15 different airports, including San Francisco International, JFK and Chicago O'Hare. Thanks to Mary-Alice and Chloe for the helpful research!

Here's a helpful state-by-state list compiled by PetFriendlyTravel.com that provides links to individual airline sites and briefly describes the amenities you can expect at each location. If it exists, there's likely some mention of it here, so take a look at this page before you pack up your pet and hit the skies.

Taking the time to bring attention to more than just their own business, Alaska Airlines has compiled a list of pet relief areas in the US and Mexico. This handy chart lets you know what the surface area is like at each relief station (grass, cement, etc...) and whether or not it's inside or outside of security (most are outside, unfortunately).  American Airlines has also put together a list.

Here's a quick post about pet relief areas from a travel blog called Stuck at the Airport with some pictures of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Reno-Tahoe International and Austin-Bergstrom International. You can find a few other posts concerning the pet/airport dynamic on this site, too (like this one).




PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Continuing our monthlong Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series, this week we've introduced you to the pet friendly amenities at LAX. This airport stays pretty busy, so pet travelers will be happy to find five different pet relief areas on its premises.

Whether Los Angeles is where you live or you're flying in for a visit, you're probably aware of the fact that this can be an amazingly pet friendly city. Since we're on the topic of travel and focusing on this West Coast destination, we thought we'd take a moment to celebrate the pet-friendliness of Los Angeles itself.

Traveling there soon? Here are a few resources that will help you make the most of the city.




-The Official Guide to Los Angeles offers several great ideas for staying busy during a long weekend in this sun-drenched city, including a list of pet friendly hotels here.

-Pet friendly restaurants of all variety (vegan Ethiopian, anyone?) can be found in L.A., so don't feel like you need to leave your pup behind when it's time to dine.

-If you're a dog lover traveling to or through Los Angeles, you'll find yourself with ample opportunity to stock up on various accessories you may not find anywhere else. Find high-tech toys, gilded water bowls or studded collars for your furry little starlet at any of these specialty shops and boutiques.

-Finally, a few weeks ago we told you about a few helpful iPhone apps that might come in handy while traveling; this dog park finder would surely be a useful tool to use while out and about in L.A., and so would Pawtrotter, an application that locates pet-friendly businesses of all kinds.

Have you spent time in Los Angeles with your pet - either at an airport or in the city itself? What are your favorite pet friendly places in L.A.?


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

As part of our Pet Friendly Airport series, we'll be featuring one travel hub each week during the month of November. Yesterday we introduced you to LAX, and today we'll be going into a little more depth by asking Katherine Alvarado, a PR representative for the airport, to share a few more details about the Pet Parks.

How many designated pet areas are there at this airport, and what amenities are offered?
There are five animal relief stations. Amenities included water, animal houses, and bags for disposal of waste.

Do you have to leave security to reach these areas?
Yes, the animal relief stations are outside the terminals, curbside in the Lower/Arrivals Level.

How many dogs can use the areas at once? Any restrictions/protocol to follow? Any crowding issues?
There are no occupancy limits. We have not heard of any crowding issues.

Do you have staff members specifically assigned to supervise the pet area?
No.

Are there any future improvements or expansions planned?
Not any relating to animal relief stations at the moment.


In addition to this, we've discovered a few more facts about the pet areas at LAX. According to Larry Rolon, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Coordinator for Disabled Services, "We had two areas, but felt that five would better accommodate the amount of disabled travelers who use LAX.” 

He goes on to say, “Three new relief areas have been added to the existing two, to better assist travelers with disabilities who are accompanied by guide dogs or other assistance animals.” 

“Our staff, with input from LAWA’s Americans with Disabilities Act Citizen’s Advisory Committee and airlines, selected the best possible locations for the relief areas, taking into consideration the limitations of space and pedestrian safety.”

For more updates and information, follow LAX on Twitter and Facebook.



What do you think, pet travelers? Have you been through LAX? Did these relief areas meet your needs?

Let us know if you have anything to add, and join us tomorrow for another installment of our Pet Friendly Airport series. There's still much more to learn!




PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Welcome to Week Two of our monthlong Pet Friendly Airport Series! This week we'll be featuring LAX (Los Angeles International), which was the sixth busiest airport in the world in 2009. This hub sees millions of human passengers each year and plenty of non-humans as well, so we thought at what they offer in terms of pet relief areas.

First, it's worth discussing how and why areas like this have come about. It's tough to keep up with every bit of new legislation that comes along, but recent changes to something called the Air Carrier Access Act amounted to noteworthy news for pet travelers. Expansions to these regulations now require airports to provide better accommodations for travelers with disabilities, many of whom are accompanied by service animals. This means, if airports are following the law, that anyone with an animal in tow (be it a guide dog or a pet Chihuahua) will now be supplied with a place to go for bathroom breaks and exercise. 

In LAX, for example, there are now a handful of pet relief areas to choose from - five, to be exact. The Pet Parks can be found near terminals 1-6 and 8. Many of these handy hideaways offer water, room to run around, doggie houses, clean-up baggies and colorful decorative fire hydrants. Though all the areas are located curbside (that's outside of security), the fact that there are five of them means that, when it's time for a necessary break, at least you'll have options. We'll go into more detail as the week goes on, so stick around, pet travelers!

Now that you've been introduced to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International, the first airport in our Pet Friendly Airport month, we want to pause to discuss pet travel in general - specifically, what to do to prepare for a visit to one of these pet relief areas.

Each airport offers a different experience and your time to frolic will probably be limited, so follow these basic guidelines to make the most of your pet's airport visit.

1. Map It. Before you arrive at the airport, familiarize yourself with the layout so that you can avoid wasting any time wandering around or asking for directions. These areas are not always well-marked, so doing some sleuthing ahead of time will allow you to proceed with confidence.

2. Prepare. This is good advice for traveling in general, but remember to have a few basic items in your doggy bag of tricks. A collapsible water dish, a familiar toy or two and a leash, of course, will make your pet's experience safe and comfortable. The relief areas should all be supplied with waste disposal bags, but you should carry a few extras just in case.

3. Be Polite. You never know what you'll encounter at a pet area. You may be the only ones there, or it could be a busy place; if this is the case, keep your dog restrained until it's clear everyone will get along (particularly if it's an off-leash facility). Whether you encounter service animals, security dogs or other pets, aim to be friendly and considerate by playing nice and cleaning up after yourselves.

4. Practice. A pet relief area can in many ways resemble a dog park, so make sure your pup is comfortable in such a situation. If you don't frequent any of your neighborhood hang-outs and don't often take your dog to new places in general, you might consider going a few times before the trip so that your little traveler can get used to the experience of being away from home.

5. Connect. There are all kinds of social media tools out there, so why not make use of them to pick up some advice? Through Twitter, Facebook and, yes, sites like PetRelocation, you can connect to thousands of pet travelers and gather some of the information they've shared. Whether you spend a few minutes reading a great travel blog or ask a question on an organization's Facebook wall, there are plenty of ways to initiate a conversation with an experienced group of peers.


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

We've spent the last couple of days exploring the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - a hub that every busy traveler will probably pass through at one point or another.

Here are a few fun facts about ATL:

-It's the largest employer in the state of Georgia; over 58,000 people work here

-ATL covers 4700 acres and has 199 gates

-Over 240,000 people pass through here each day

-The proclaimed mission of ATL is "to be the world's best airport by exceeding customer expectations"

Pet travelers tend to take special note of this particular airport because of its two pet relief areas - handy amenities that also offer a little more pizzaz than the average dog run.

Yesterday we published our interview with a representative from the Atlanta airport and he mentioned the distinctive artwork found in the main pet area. We thought this fun feature was definitely worth looking into, so here are a few more pictures.








PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

A few months ago we published a pet friendly airlines series featuring seveal airlines that have gone out of their way to make traveling with pets a bit easier, and now we're featuring a few airports that have done the same. During Week One we'll explore Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport and one of the few that has stepped up to offer pet travelers more than just a skimpy stretch of grass out by the parking lots.



In addition to seeing over 88 million passengers pass through it in 2010, Atlanta also stands apart from the crowd thanks to its aesthetics and sense of fun. This facility features a number of rotating and permanent art exhibits, a music program, and even the occasional Flash Mob. It's no surprise, then, that the designated pet areas here at ATL offer a more interesting experience than those found at many other airports.

Al Snedeker is the public relations manager at this high-traffic hub, and we've asked him to tell us a little more about pet traveling at the Atlanta airport.


How many designated pet areas are there at this airport, and what amenities are offered?

Two. The primary one is a fully-fenced, 1,000-square feet grassy area with a couple benches and rocks perfect for sniffing. It has disposable bags along with two pieces of commissioned art. It’s located at the west end of the passenger terminal next to the airport’s ground transportation center. The other area is located outside the north passenger terminal on the lower level. This area is not fenced, but does offer disposable bags.

What is the history of this pet-friendly addition?

Customers have asked for a fully-fenced dog park, so when the airport had to reconfigure its ground transportation center as a part of building a new rental car center, the opportunity presented itself to include a new dog park as a part of the newly redesigned ground transportation center. The dog park opened in November 2009. 

Do you have to leave security to reach these areas?

Yes.

How many dogs can use the areas at once? Have there been any crowding issues?

Two to three dogs are allowed at one time in the main dog park, but crowding has not been an issue because dogs and their owners are typically on tight schedules.

Do you have staff members specifically assigned to supervise the pet area?

The site is maintained by the airport’s Ground Transportation and Maintenance units.

How many pets use these facilities each year?

The daily average is about 20.

What is your favorite part about the pet area at your airport?

The two commissioned art pieces are very cool and attract a lot of attention.


Thanks for answering our questions, Al!

We'll be back tomorrow with a closer look at the art installations Al mentioned. Have any of our PetRelocation readers ever traveled through this airport? What did you think?

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

If you've traveled by air lately, with or without a pet, you've probably noticed that the times are a-changin'. From wireless internet to recycling bins, digital check-ins to text message alerts, many airports are slowly but surely trying to modernize the way they operate. The question that then arises, especially among you PetRelocation followers, is what are these airports doing for pets?

Vital to a pet's sense of well-being and a welcome respite from the chaos of the airport, pet relief areas are worthy investments for airports to make and frankly downright necessary. As more and more people bring dogs, cats and other animals along with them when they travel, are airports keeping up?

We'll be exploring this question throughout November by featuring a few airports that have made an effort to set themselves apart in terms of being pet friendly. Scattered across the continent and featuring a range of amenities, Atlanta, Phoenix, Washington DC and Los Angeles represent a sampling of what's available for globetrotting pets and their humans. Follow us this month as we make our way from one travel hub to another, and see for yourself what you can expect during your next layover.

First up is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is actually the busiest airport in the world. It makes sense that this high-traffic facility has worked to step up its efforts to make the traveling process easier and more comfortable for everyone, and the expansions they've made over the years do include a few options for pet travelers.

Here's a quick description of the pet friendly accomodations found amidst the organized chaos of the Atlanta airport. Follow us for the rest of the week to find out even more about this hotspot, and check back all month for more handy pet friendly airport information.


The Basics

-Two designated pet areas, both outside of security
-One area is fenced, the other is not
-The fenced, off-leash area opened in November 2009 and features grass, flowers and rocks
-Disposable (and biodegradable) bags are available for cleaning up after your dog

Bonus Feature

-Artwork: there are two commissioned pieces in the dog area that give this
facility a bit of unexpected fun and personality (we'll tell you even more
about this later). Who says pet relief
areas have to be drab?

That was just a taste of what's to come, pet travelers! We'll go into greater detail later this week with photos and interviews,
and we'll also offer some general tips about how to take full
advantage of pet-relief areas wherever
you may find them.









PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airport Spotlight series features a few airports with noteworthy pet relief areas. These Spotlights will highlight one airport each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of November. We'll take a look at the various aspects of the pet areas, including the amenities offered and their general accessibility. For a look at the rest of our Airport Spotlight series, check out the Airport Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.