Msp Airport: Dog-Friendly Travel For Passengers

Dogs are permitted at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which maintains pet and service animal relief areas at both terminals. Assistance animals are also allowed to travel with passengers who have disabilities, although certain rules and restrictions apply. MSP Airport also has therapy dogs, service animals, and emotional support pets. The airport is also home to TSA dogs, or Passenger Screening Canines, which are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials.

Dogs are allowed in MSP Airport as assistance animals for passengers with disabilities.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport provides eight pet relief areas in total. Terminal 1 has three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. Terminal 2 has one pre-security and one post-security location. The airport's pet policy requires that all non-service animals be kept in kennels while in the airport's facilities, except when travelling to and from the animal relief areas. When using the relief areas, animals should be leashed.

The indoor pet-relief area in Terminal 1 is located just off Concourse E, near the northern stretch of the main mall. It features faux grass, a fire hydrant, and a sink. Another pet-relief area is located on the C/G Connector Bridge. The airport hopes to have pet facilities on all seven concourses in Terminal 1 in the future.

Passengers travelling with a service animal can request an escort from their airline or Travelers Assistance to the pet relief area.

All non-service dogs must be kept kenneled while in the airport's facilities.

MSP Airport in Minneapolis-St. Paul maintains pet and service animal relief areas at both terminals. The airport also provides a pet-friendly initiative called Now Boarding, where passengers can board their pets at the airport. However, all non-service dogs must be kept kenneled while inside the airport facilities. This rule is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers and staff, as well as to maintain the cleanliness of the airport.

The airport offers a range of pet relief areas to accommodate travellers with animals. At Terminal 1, there are pre-security pet relief areas located outside Door 1 and Door 4 on the Baggage Claim Level, as well as outside the Silver Parking Ramp. Post-security, there are three pet relief areas: near the entrance to Concourse E in the Airport Mall, by Gate F6, and on the C/G Connector Bridge. Terminal 2 also has designated pet relief areas, including a grassy area outside Door 8 on Level 1 near baggage claim and an indoor pet relief area near Gate H11.

It is important to note that while non-service dogs must be kept kenneled, this does not include trips to the designated animal relief areas. During these trips, animals should be leashed. The airport also recommends that passengers travelling with pets follow their specific airline's policies, as some airlines may have different or additional requirements.

The MSP Airport pet policy outlines that animals can travel in one of three ways. Small pets that can fit in a passenger's lap or under their seat may be allowed in the cabin. Larger pets may need to be checked as baggage or flown as cargo. It is the passenger's responsibility to arrange private transportation when picking up or dropping off their animals at the cargo facilities.

By following these guidelines, passengers can ensure that their non-service dogs are properly kenneled while inside the airport facilities, with the exception of visits to the designated pet relief areas.

MSP Airport provides eight pet relief areas in total, with Terminal 1 having three pre-security locations and three post-security stations.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) provides eight pet relief areas in total, with Terminal 1 offering six locations and Terminal 2 offering two.

For those travelling with pets or service animals, MSP has designated relief areas both before and after security checkpoints. Terminal 1 has three pre-security locations and three post-security stations. The pre-security locations are situated outside Door 1 and Door 4 on the Baggage Claim Level, and outside the Silver Parking Ramp. The post-security locations can be found near the entrance to Concourse E in the Airport Mall, by Gate F6, and on the C/G Connector Bridge.

Terminal 2 has one pre-security location and one post-security location. The pre-security relief area is a grassy area outside Door 8 on Level 1, near baggage claim. The post-security area is located near Gate H11.

All non-service animals must be kept in kennels while in the airport facilities, except when visiting the designated pet relief areas. However, animals should be kept on a leash when using these facilities.

Dogs are also present at the airport as therapy dogs, service animals, and emotional support pets.

Dogs are a common sight at MSP Airport, with therapy dogs, service animals, and emotional support pets all present in the terminals.

Therapy dogs are often present at the airport to provide comfort and support to passengers. These dogs are usually handled by volunteers from the MSP Animal Ambassadors program and are identifiable by their vests. They are trained to be friendly and offer comfort to passengers who may be feeling stressed, anxious, or sad. Therapy dogs can be found in the Terminal 1 mall area, where passengers can pet them, take selfies with them, and interact with them.

Service animals are also present at MSP Airport, assisting passengers with disabilities. These animals are allowed to travel with their owners in the airport and on flights. Service animals are highly trained to perform specific tasks for their owners, such as guiding individuals with impaired vision or providing stability for individuals with mobility issues. Service animals have special privileges at the airport, including access to pet relief areas. Passengers travelling with service animals can request an escort from their airline or Traveller's Assistance to these designated relief areas.

Emotional support pets are also permitted at MSP Airport and on flights. These pets provide comfort and support to their owners, who may be facing emotional or mental health challenges. However, there have been concerns about fraudulent "certifications" for emotional support animals, leading to tighter regulations and requirements for documentation and proof of training.

In addition to these dogs, TSA dogs, or Passenger Screening Canines, are also present at the airport, working with their handlers to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials. These dogs undergo intensive training and are not to be petted or distracted while on duty.

The presence of dogs at MSP Airport offers a range of benefits, from therapeutic support to essential assistance, enhancing the travel experience for many passengers.

The airport also has TSA dogs, which are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has a range of amenities for pets and service animals, including relief areas at both terminals. The airport also has Transportation Security Administration (TSA) dogs, which are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials. These dogs are not to be petted or offered food, as they are laser-focused on their security mission.

TSA dogs, officially called Passenger Screening Canines, have been the subject of recent press attention due to a shift in hiring from pointy-eared breeds like German Shepherds to those with floppier ears, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Vizslas. These floppier-eared breeds are perceived as friendlier and more disarming to nervous travellers.

The TSA has nearly 1,100 canine teams in operation across the United States, with a mix of state and local law enforcement handlers and federal teams with TSA handlers. The canine teams undergo 12 weeks of intensive training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, which houses a $12 million canine training centre. The training centre includes various indoor venues that mimic transportation sites, such as an airport gate area, a baggage claim area, and an aircraft interior.

The TSA dogs at MSP Airport are owned by their handlers, and the two form a close bond. While the dogs are not to be petted while on duty, they do receive plenty of love and snuggles from their handlers during their downtime. The TSA also has an adoption programme for dogs who are unable to complete their training, but the waitlist is over seven years long.

The presence of TSA dogs at MSP Airport enhances security and helps to ensure the safety of travellers. These highly trained canines are an integral part of the airport's security measures, working tirelessly alongside their handlers to keep passengers protected.

Frequently asked questions