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If you're planning to travel with your dog, it's important to be aware of the rules and regulations of the airport you'll be visiting. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has specific guidelines for passengers travelling with pets, including dogs. The airport provides several pet relief areas, both inside and outside the airport, allowing your dog to relieve itself before or after security. However, there are certain restrictions regarding the transportation and handling of dogs within the airport premises. It is important to be aware of these regulations to ensure a smooth travel experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animal relief areas | 4 |
| Location of animal relief areas | Concourse E, Hourly Garage, Concourse C, and between Concourses D and E |
| Animal travel fees | Contact the airline to confirm |
| Animal travel documentation | Contact the airline to confirm |
| Animal travel guidelines | Contact the airline to confirm |
| Pick-up instructions for shipped animals | Contact the airline for instructions |
| Transportation of animals | Carry, transport in a carrier, or walk on flat surfaces |
| Animal injuries | Moving walkways and escalators are dangerous for animals |
| Working dogs | Animals should not interfere with government working dogs |
| Working dog tasks | Detecting traces of explosives |
| Service animals | Allowed to use checkpoints with working dogs |
| Non-service animals | Not permitted inside the terminal building |
| Extreme temperatures | Above 85°F or below 35°F |
| Crates | Required for non-service animals |
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What You'll Learn
BWI Marshall Airport has four animal relief areas
The first post-security station is at the beginning of Concourse C, and the other is in the connector between Concourses D and E, just beyond the Concourse D/E Security Checkpoint.
The BWI Marshall Airport works in close partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure the safety of all passengers. TSA passenger screening canine teams may be operationally deployed at the airport, especially near checkpoints. Passengers travelling with animals are asked to use a checkpoint where the working dogs are not assigned at a particular time. Passengers travelling with service animals may continue to use the checkpoint with working dogs.
For the safety of all airport guests, animals not travelling are not permitted inside the terminal building. Animals and their owners are subject to warnings, citations, or even possible removal from the terminal. Animal policies vary by airline, so passengers should contact their airline before travel to confirm travel fees, documentation, and other airline-specific guidelines.
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Non-service dogs are not allowed inside the terminal
Only service dogs are allowed inside the terminal building at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Non-service dogs are not permitted inside the terminal unless they are in a container and destined for air transport.
Passengers with non-service dogs should contact their airline in advance to confirm fees, documentation, and other airline-specific guidelines. Animals and their owners may be subject to warnings, citations, or removal from the terminal if they do not adhere to the airport's policies.
Passengers traveling with non-service dogs should also be aware of the weather conditions, as airlines may deem temperatures above 85 degrees or below 35 degrees too extreme for animal travel. BWI sees extremely hot summers and cold winters, so it is recommended to avoid traveling through this airport during these months if possible.
Additionally, TSA passenger screening canine teams may be deployed near checkpoints, and passengers with pets are asked to use checkpoints where the working dogs are not assigned. BWI Marshall Airport provides four animal relief areas, both inside and outside the airport, for the convenience of passengers traveling with pets.
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TSA screening canine teams may be deployed near checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) National Explosives Detection Canine Program trains and deploys canine teams in support of day-to-day activities that protect transportation systems. These highly trained explosives detection canine teams are a reliable resource for detecting explosives and serve as a visible deterrent to terrorism. The TSA trains canine teams to operate in various environments, including aviation, and they are considered the "centre for excellence" for explosives detection canine training.
TSA canine teams are trained to detect traces of explosives on passengers or their belongings, and they may be deployed near checkpoints at airports. The TSA spent $77 million in the 2018 fiscal year for 287 Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) teams to screen passengers and baggage for explosive odours at airport security checkpoints.
While the deployment of PSC teams is intended to enhance security, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at DHS has identified several concerns. OIG found that TSA does not always justify the allocation of PSC teams to specific airports or ensure proper utilisation at these locations. Additionally, OIG questioned the effectiveness of PSC teams in detecting emerging explosive threats.
To address these issues, OIG recommended that TSA develop a detailed PSC plan to identify operational needs, justify allocation decisions, and analyse the capabilities of PSC teams. By implementing these suggestions, TSA can optimise the deployment of PSC teams and improve security at checkpoints.
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Airlines may refuse travel if temperatures are extreme
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) allows dogs to travel with passengers with disabilities. However, some rules and restrictions apply. For instance, animals should not be in close proximity to government working dogs or interfere with their tasks. Non-service dogs are not permitted inside the terminal building unless they are restrained in a container.
Passengers with dogs should be mindful of the weather conditions when travelling through BWI. Airlines may refuse travel if temperatures are deemed too extreme for animal travel. This is usually when temperatures rise above 85°F or drop below 35°F. Baltimore's summers can be very hot, while winters often dip into the thirties. To avoid scheduling issues, it is recommended to bypass this airport during extremely hot and cold months.
Passengers travelling with dogs should contact their airline ahead of time to confirm the carrier's specific animal travel policies, fees, documentation, and guidelines. Some airlines may offer the option for dogs to fly as checked baggage, while others may require them to fly as cargo. It is important to note that BWI's cargo complex is unconnected to other major buildings, so pet owners must organise private, pet-friendly transportation.
While extreme heat can pose challenges for airlines and airports, causing issues such as exploding soda cans, it is rare for flights to be cancelled due to very cold temperatures. Heat is, in fact, a bigger problem for aircraft as it reduces lift and often requires lightened loads. Airports and carriers are taking steps to address these challenges, such as installing "smart glass" to reduce solar heat transmission and upgrading electrical power systems.
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There are different transportation options for dogs in the cabin
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) allows dogs in the airport terminal only if they are destined for air transport and restrained in a container. The airport provides four animal relief areas, two of which are available outside and before security.
- Confirm the airline's specific animal travel policies and fees, as well as any required documentation, several days ahead of your travel.
- Keep a close eye on the weather forecast. Airlines may deem temperatures above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 35°F too extreme for animal travel.
- Ensure your dog meets the size, age, health, breed, and destination requirements for in-cabin transport. Your dog must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat in front of you.
- Use a soft-sided, leak-proof kennel with ventilation openings on three sides for domestic travel and four sides for international travel.
- Do not sedate or tranquilize your dog, as this increases their risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.
- If you are an active-duty U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel travelling on official orders, there may be different or additional requirements and restrictions.
- Be prepared to pay non-refundable pet fees, which may vary depending on the trip details and the size of your dog and kennel.
- Remember to allow extra time at check-in for the airline to ensure your dog is ready for takeoff.
- Keep your dog in its kennel while at the airport, except when in a designated relief area.
- American Airlines: Carry-on pets are limited to dogs and cats that meet the size, age, and destination requirements. They must be placed in a dedicated animal-friendly compartment at the front of the plane if you are flying in First or Business on a 3-cabin Airbus A321T.
- Delta Air Lines: Small dogs, cats, and household birds that meet the age, health, size, and kennel requirements can travel in the cabin within the contiguous U.S. for a one-way fee. International travel with pets in the cabin is permitted if the customer possesses all required documentation for the pet's entry into the destination.
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Frequently asked questions
If your dog is small enough to fit in a carrier under your seat, it will be allowed to fly with you in the cabin for an additional price. If your dog is too large, you may have to check it in as baggage or have it fly as cargo.
Yes, there are four dog relief areas at BWI Airport. Two are located outside and before security, and the other two are in secured areas.
No specific restrictions on dog breeds have been mentioned in the BWI Airport pet policy. However, it is recommended that you keep a close eye on the weather forecast, as airlines will not allow animal travel when temperatures rise above 85 degrees or drop below 35 degrees.
No, dogs must be restrained in a container or on a leash at all times.
