Hagerstown Airport: Pet-Friendly Flights In Maryland

can pets fly out of hagerstown airport maryland

Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is a 400-acre, self-supporting airport complex in Hagerstown, Maryland. The airport has two asphalt runways and is home to a variety of businesses that provide travel services to the general public. While there is no specific information about flying with pets from Hagerstown Regional Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland allows pets, with certain restrictions. For example, animals should be carried, transported in a carrier, or walked on flat surfaces to prevent injuries. Maryland state law also requires non-service animals to be transported in a carrier while inside the terminal.

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Hagerstown Regional Airport: location, contact and parking information

Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is located in Maryland, five miles north of Hagerstown city and half a mile from the Pennsylvania border. The airport is easily accessible from Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11, and is in close proximity to Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

The airport's address is 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown, MD 21742. The Hagerstown Regional Airport Administrative office can be contacted by phone at (240) 313-2777 during their office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Parking at the airport is affordable, with a daily maximum rate of $5, and the first hour is free.

Travelling with Pets

While I could not find specific information about flying with pets from Hagerstown Regional Airport, I did find some general information about travelling with animals from BWI Marshall Airport in Maryland. According to their website, trained service animals are always allowed in the airport. Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to assist a person with a disability. Non-service animals must be transported in a carrier while inside the terminal, and they should not interfere with any government working dogs. It is important to contact your airline in advance to confirm their specific guidelines and fees for travelling with pets.

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Airlines that operate from the airport

Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is located five miles north of Hagerstown, Maryland, and half a mile from the Pennsylvania border. The airport is in close proximity to the cities of Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

Allegiant Air is the only airline that appears to operate from Hagerstown Regional Airport. Allegiant Air offers scheduled services to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida, with connections to Orlando's world-class attractions, including Disney and Universal Theme Parks, and beaches such as Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Port Canaveral. Allegiant Air also provides access to the natural wonders of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with its 60 miles of coastline and unique culinary scene.

Allegiant Air offers complete vacation packages at special rates, which can be booked online at allegiantair.com or by phone. Hagerstown Regional Airport provides limited in-person ticket counter hours, so passengers are advised to contact the airport's administrative office for more information.

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Animal relief areas at the airport

While I could not find specific information about animal relief areas at Hagerstown Regional Airport, I did find some general information about travelling with pets from this airport, as well as details of animal relief areas at other airports.

Firstly, according to the Hagerstown Regional Airport website, trained service animals are allowed in the airport at any time. Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. For safety and health reasons, Maryland state law requires non-service animals to be transported in a carrier while inside the main terminal. Animals should not be in close proximity to a government working dog, and animals not travelling are not permitted inside the terminal building. Animal policies vary by airline, so passengers should contact their airline before travelling to confirm travel fees, documentation and other guidelines.

Now, here is some information about animal relief areas at other airports. Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) and escorts to those relief areas, for passengers travelling with service animals. Airports have therefore created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. Most animal and pet relief areas are located outside airport terminals, and can range from simple grassy areas to fenced-in 'pet parks' with various amenities. As of August 2016, federal regulation requires airports that service more than 10,000 passengers a year to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal.

For example, BWI Marshall Airport provides four Animal Relief Areas, two of which are pre-security and two are post-security. Owners are asked to clean up after their animals using the waste disposal bags and receptacles provided, and animals must be leashed when outside of a carrier. One pre-security Animal Relief Area is located prior to Concourse E on the lower level outside door #19, near the international terminal and adjacent to the Light Rail station. The second pre-security area can be found in front of the Hourly Garage. One post-security area is located near the end of the B/C Connector, between Security Checkpoint C and the exit to Concourse C.

  • Huntsville International Airport: a designated Pet Park located outside the terminal building, with a fenced-in area of grass, a bench, and a pet waste disposal system
  • Montgomery Regional Airport: Animal Relief Area – please see agent
  • Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: outdoor pet relief areas at both terminals, with signs providing directions found on the curbside adjacent to the baggage claim doors
  • Long Beach Airport: a grassy pet relief area north of the baggage claim area
  • Los Angeles International Airport: one indoor animal relief station currently installed, with three outdoor animal relief stations located around the central terminal area

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Animal travel fees and documentation

When travelling with pets, it is important to be aware of the varying animal policies of different airlines. It is recommended that passengers contact their airline several days ahead of travel to confirm animal travel fees, documentation and other airline-specific guidelines.

For example, American Airlines requires that all necessary documents and forms be brought to the airport and presented at check-in. American Airlines does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they originate from or have visited a high-risk country for rabies within the six months prior to the date of travel. This restriction does not apply to service dogs that meet CDC requirements. If your dog is coming from a country with screwworm, it must meet specific requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). American Airlines also does not accept pets that have been sedated or tranquilized. If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, it must travel with American Airlines Cargo.

Health certificate endorsement fees apply to emotional support animals and any other animal not officially covered by the ADA. The specific requirements for health certificates vary depending on the method of submission. For example, for health certificates submitted in the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), your USDA-accredited veterinarian must ensure that payment is provided by either depositing money in the VEHCS account or by providing a USDA APHIS User Fee Credit Account in the submission. For health certificates submitted by express shipping, payment may be made using a credit or debit card.

It is important to note that the requirements for pet travel may change frequently, so it is recommended to contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel to determine the destination country's requirements, including any necessary vaccinations, tests, or treatments.

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The airport's eligibility for Essential Air Service

Hagerstown Regional Airport, located in Washington County, Maryland, first lost its eligibility for Essential Air Service (EAS) funding in 2007 because it was located less than 70 miles (110 km) from a larger airport. This resulted in the discontinuation of flights to Pittsburgh International Airport. However, the airport regained its eligibility and received EAS funding through Cape Air and Sun Air International, which provided flights to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, respectively.

In 2013, Hagerstown Regional Airport once again faced the loss of its EAS eligibility due to having fewer than ten enplanements per service day, as per the FAA Modernization Act of 2012. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, along with Congressman John Delaney, advocated for a waiver, citing an increase in enplanements in early 2014. The Department of Transportation approved the waiver, allowing the airport to retain its eligibility.

The airport continued to receive EAS funding, with Allegiant Air commencing nonstop jet service to St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport in 2015. However, in October 2019, the Department of Transportation announced the end of EAS for Hagerstown Regional Airport. Southern Airways Express subsequently suspended ticket sales for their routes from the airport. Despite this setback, the airport has been recognised as an essential economic hub for western Maryland's rural communities, contributing to the state's economic growth.

In December 2022, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, along with Congressman Delaney, announced a five-year reauthorization of the EAS Grant Program, ensuring the extension of EAS eligibility for Hagerstown Regional Airport. This decision was applauded as it allowed the airport to continue serving the region and supporting local businesses, trade, and tourism.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, pets can fly out of Hagerstown Airport, Maryland. Airlines that operate from the airport include Allegiant Air, Southern Air Express, and Sun Air International. However, animal policies vary by airline, so passengers should contact their airline before traveling to confirm animal travel fees, documentation, and other guidelines.

Hagerstown Regional Airport is a 400-acre complex with a secured perimeter, an air traffic control tower, and state-of-the-art navigational aids. The airport also has four animal relief areas, with waste disposal bags and receptacles provided. Additionally, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.

Some destinations reachable from Hagerstown Airport include Orlando Sanford International Airport, St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.

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