One of our specialists was recently lucky enough to get to visit the American Airlines Pet Relief Area at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (check out our previous post on the topic - American Airlines Opens New "Pet Relief" Area at JFK Airport) and chat a bit with the American Airlines staff.  Cara, one of our International Pet Relocation Specialists, was transporting a very small Chihuahua named Mocha from New York to Tokyo. 

Pet friendly travel at the Pet Relief area: John, Cara, Mocha, Joseph and Liz from American Airlines

The American Airlines Facilities Manager, Joseph Daly, took some time to talk with us about the new facility.  We got tons of great video footage that we'll be releasing soon in a special miniseries on traveling with pets.  In the meantime, here some interesting facts we picked up:

1.  Providing a Service to Service Dogs

Part of the new regulations were to become more pet-friendly to service dogs when they're traveling.   The good news was that it also benefits other travelers with pets.  Daly told us that he estimates about 40 pets per day make use of the Pet Relief Area at JFK. 

2.  The Grass is Real

Astroturf just wasn't going to cut it for a doggie rest stop.  Daly and his team created an irrigated, natural space that has to be mowed once a week just like any other lawn.  "We realized this was a great opportunity to make a park," Daly said.  "Some people just come to sit here."  There's a nice bench in the corner of the relief area, and Daly's team even has some plans for more planters with flowers later this year.

3.  Travelers Do a Good Job Cleaning Up

We recently posted an entry about the importance of cleaning up after your pets when traveling.  Everyone who travels with their pets is an ambassador for pet travelers worldwide!  Daly said that cleanup wasn't too much of a problem here.  He estimates about 95% of visitors are careful about cleaning up after their pets and leaving the park space just the way they left it.

American Airlines Pet Relief Area