Airports And Pets: Relief Areas And Accessibility

Airports can be stressful for both humans and animals, so it's important to know what to expect when travelling with pets. Fortunately, many airports are now equipped with pet relief stations, allowing dogs to stretch their legs, have a drink of water, and relieve themselves. In fact, a U.S. federal regulation requires airports serving 10,000 or more passengers per year to have designated pet relief areas, which are typically located inside or outside the terminal and include patches of real or fake grass, as well as space for movement. These areas are not only beneficial for pets but also for service animals and their handlers.

Locations of pet relief areas

Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports, as well as escorts to those areas, for any passenger travelling with a service animal. Airports have also opened these relief areas to all pets. Most animal and pet relief areas are located outside airport terminals, but there are also indoor relief areas.

Outdoor Pet Relief Areas

Outdoor pet relief areas can range from basic grassy areas to fenced-in "pet parks" with various amenities, such as faux fire hydrants, real grass, and space to run and play.

Indoor Pet Relief Areas

Since August 2016, federal regulations have required airports serving more than 10,000 passengers per year to establish at least one service animal relief area (SARA) inside each terminal. These indoor facilities are typically small and located in obscure areas, but they must be wheelchair-accessible and close to airline gates.

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport
• Memphis International Airport
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
• Pittsburgh International Airport
• Salt Lake City International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• Washington Dulles International Airport

Pet Relief Areas at Specific Airports

Below are the locations of pet relief areas at some specific airports:

• Denver International Airport: One designated pet exercise area is located outside the Jeppesen Terminal on Level 2 West, near Door 200.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: A 1,000-square-foot dog park is located pre-security in the Ground Transportation area at Domestic Terminal South. There are also indoor post-security relief areas at every concourse.
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport: Three relief areas, called "Bark Parks," are located pre- and post-security. Two are located south of the terminal near the ticketing lobby and north through the baggage claim. The third is within walking distance of the airline gates.
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: A "dog walk" is located pre-security near the parking garage.
• Los Angeles International Airport: There are 11 pet relief areas, three pre-security and eight post-security.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport: One relief area is located on the first floor outside Terminal 4, and another is located post-security between Gates B31 and B33.

Relief area facilities

Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required all airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports, as well as escorts to those relief areas, for any passenger travelling with a service animal. Airports have created and expanded animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. Airports that service more than 10,000 passengers a year are federally regulated to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal.

While some pet relief areas are small patches of fake grass in hidden corners of terminals, others are pet parks with real grass, faux fire hydrants, and space to run and play. Airports across North America now offer post-security pet relief stations, including:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s Pet Relief Room, which includes artificial grass covering, miniature fire hydrants, and a pop-up sprinkler system to wash away liquid waste.
• Detroit International Airport’s restroom for dogs, which includes two patches of fake and real grass, and a sprinkler system to eliminate waste.
• Denver International Airport’s private restrooms for pets, which include artificial turf, built-in drainage, waste disposal bags and containers, and a sink and soap dispenser for handwashing.
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport’s several pet relief areas, including an indoor post-security area with fake grass and a sink for easy cleanup, and a space dedicated to pets near the baggage claim in Terminal 1.
• Los Angeles International Airport’s 11 pet relief areas, three of which are located before security checkpoints, and the other eight in post-security locations. The indoor relief areas include artificial grass, a fake fire hydrant, fresh water, and a station to dispose of waste, while the outdoor atrium offers additional space to walk around.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s pet relief area, which includes a 1,000-square-foot dog park to accommodate pets and service dogs, located pre-security in the Ground Transportation area at Domestic Terminal South. It’s fully fenced and has benches and biodegradable waste bags.
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport’s three relief areas for pets and service animals, two of which are in pre-security locations, and one in a post-security location. All parks are fully fenced and within walking distance of the airline gates, and come equipped with running water, clean-up provisions, a fire hydrant, and a canopy in case of bad weather.
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s “dog walk,” which includes lighting and landscaping, a drinking fountain for dogs, and bags and receptacles for disposing of waste.
• Washington Dulles International Airport’s several designated service animal or pet relief areas, two of which are in post-security locations. These indoor facilities have artificial grass and a fake fire hydrant, while the three pre-security outdoor locations are enclosed for security and supplied with waste bags and receptacles, as well as a sink for handwashing.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s nine relief areas, most of which are pre-security, and three in post-security locations. The outdoor facilities include space for drinking water and cleaning up pet waste, and are open to dogs of all sizes and breeds.
• Philadelphia International Airport’s seven service animal relief areas in every terminal, as well as pet relief areas outside the airport on the Departing Flights Road and outside the buildings that house the baggage claim. The relief areas are between 250 and 600 square feet, and the outdoor areas are equipped with fencing, latch gates, benches, fake fire hydrants, and biodegradable poop bags.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport’s multiple pet relief areas, including one located on the first floor, just outside of Terminal 4, with artificial grass, a bag dispenser, and a waste receptacle, and another located past a security checkpoint between Gates B31 and B33, which features a large outdoor garden patio for passengers and their pets.

Rules and regulations

Since May 2009, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has required airlines to provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) at airports, as well as escorts to these areas, for passengers travelling with service animals. Airports have responded by creating and expanding animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals. Airports that service more than 10,000 passengers a year are required to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal. These areas must be wheelchair-accessible and located near airline gates.

While some pet relief areas are small patches of fake grass in hidden corners of terminals, others are more akin to pet parks, with real grass, faux fire hydrants, and space for pets to run and play. Airports are also increasingly offering post-security pet relief stations, such as Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Pet Relief Room, which features artificial grass, miniature fire hydrants, and a pop-up sprinkler system.

Pet owners are expected to clean up after their animals, with airports providing waste disposal bags and receptacles. Some airports even provide pet-friendly amenities such as drinking fountains, clean-up provisions, and canopies for bad weather.

It is important to note that, except for service animals, uncaged animals are generally not allowed inside airport terminals. Pets, unless they are service animals, are typically required to be kept in carriers while inside the airport, except when they are in a relief area or going through security.

Pet relief areas in non-US airports

When travelling with pets, it is important to know where the animal relief areas are before you need them. While most sources focus on US airports, here is a list of non-US airports with pet relief areas:

Australia

Perth Airport has service animal relief areas at Terminal 4 on the ground floor, opposite check-in (behind car rental desks); and Terminal 1 on the ground floor, behind check-in (enter via the corridor next to check-in desk 40).

Finland

Helsinki Airport has pet relief areas outside, near the entrance to the Arrivals Hall on Floor 1, next to the bus station; and inside, at Gate 51 in the Non-Schengen area.

India

Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) has pet relief areas with waste bags, disposal bins, and cleaning supplies. It is advisable to check the location of these pet relief areas before arriving at the airport.

Ireland

Dublin Airport (DUB) has an assistance dog relief room in Terminal 2. As of 30 January 2024, DUB has re-introduced a live animal screening facility for departing passengers.

Japan

Osaka International Airport (ITAMI) has a dog-specific relief area in the pick-up and drop-off area of the airport.

Turkey

Istanbul Airport has pet rooms in the Departures area after security, upstairs near the IGA Lounge, or follow the dog signs.

France

Paris's Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) Airport has a pet relief area.

Canada

Ottawa, Ontario's Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) has a pet relief area.

Bahamas

Marsh Harbour Airport (MHH) in the Abaco Islands has a pet relief area.

History of pet relief areas

The history of pet relief areas in airports can be traced back to May 2009, when the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated that all airlines must provide service animal relief areas (SARAs) and escorts to those areas for passengers travelling with service animals. This led to airports creating and expanding animal relief areas that are open to all pets and service animals.

In August 2016, a federal regulation was implemented, requiring airports serving more than 10,000 passengers annually to establish at least one SARA inside each terminal. This regulation was designed to accommodate passengers with service animals, but it also benefits pet owners and handlers of law enforcement dogs. As a result, airports have been installing designated pet relief areas, which can range from basic grassy areas to fully equipped "pet parks" with amenities such as faux fire hydrants and pop-up sprinkler systems.

While the exact history of each airport's pet relief areas is unclear, some notable examples include:

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Pet Relief Room, which features artificial grass, miniature fire hydrants, and a pop-up sprinkler system.
• Detroit International Airport's restroom for dogs, which offers both fake and real grass, as well as a sprinkler system.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which has multiple post-security pet relief areas, including a 70-square-foot pet bathroom in Terminal 4 with artificial grass, a fire hydrant, a wash sink, and waste facilities.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which provides indoor post-security relief areas in every concourse and a 1,000-square-foot pre-security dog park.
• Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona, which boasts 9 pet relief areas, 3 of which are located post-security.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with 8 indoor and 3 outdoor animal relief stations, totalling 11 stations, the most of any U.S. airport.

Frequently asked questions