Airport Relief Stations

Service Dog Airport Relief Areas & Travel Guide

Airport Service Dog Relief Areas

Traveling with a service dog requires a little preparation. Knowing where your dog can relieve itself before, during, and after your flight can make your trip much easier.

Most major U.S. airports provide designated service animal and pet relief areas, including locations both before and after airport security. The exact location and availability can change as terminals are remodeled, gates move, or airports update their facilities.

This guide provides current information to help you plan ahead.

Important: Airport relief-area locations can change. Always check the airport’s current website, terminal map, or information desk before traveling.

Service Dog Relief Areas at Airports

Service animal relief areas may be located:

Outside the terminal before security
Inside the terminal after security
Near specific gates or concourses
Near baggage claim
Near parking garages
Near airport transportation areas

Many larger airports now provide post-security relief areas, allowing travelers with service dogs to use a designated area without leaving the secure portion of the airport.

If you are connecting to another flight, check the relief-area location at your connecting airport before your trip.

Current U.S. Airport Service Animal Relief Areas

The following airports have designated animal or service-animal relief facilities or currently provide information for travelers with animals.

Alabama

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)

Birmingham provides designated areas for animals traveling with passengers.

Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

Huntsville provides a designated pet/service-animal relief area outside the terminal.

Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)

Animal relief facilities are available outside the terminal.

Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM)

Travelers should check with airport or airline personnel for the current animal relief location.

Alaska

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Designated animal relief areas are available for travelers with animals.

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminal.

Juneau International Airport (JNU)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Ketchikan International Airport (KTN)

Travelers should check current airport signage for the animal relief area.

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Arizona

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Phoenix Sky Harbor currently provides multiple animal relief areas, including post-security locations inside Terminals 3 and 4. This is an important update from older airport information.

Current facilities include:

Terminal 3 post-security relief areas
Terminal 4 post-security relief areas
Outdoor relief areas
Areas near PHX Sky Train stations

PHX recommends that travelers keep their service animal leashed or otherwise under control and use designated relief areas.

Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Tucson provides designated animal relief facilities. Travelers should check the current airport map for the closest location to their terminal.

Arkansas

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)

A designated animal relief area is available outside the terminal.

Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK)

Travelers should check with airport personnel for the current relief-area location and access procedures.

California

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

Animal relief facilities are available for travelers with animals.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

Fresno provides a designated service-animal relief area.

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX provides animal relief stations both before and after security.

Current LAX facilities include indoor relief stations located in multiple terminals as well as outdoor relief stations. Because LAX is undergoing continuing terminal improvements, travelers should use the current LAX interactive map to confirm the closest location.

Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Designated animal relief areas are available near the terminals.

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Animal relief areas are available at the airport.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Designated animal relief facilities are available, including an indoor location.

Redding Regional Airport (RDD)

Animal relief areas are available near the terminal.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Animal relief facilities are available at the airport.

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International provides multiple animal relief areas, including an indoor post-security location.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

SFO provides designated animal relief areas for travelers with service animals and pets.

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

Animal relief areas are available near the terminal.

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)

Travelers should check with airport personnel for the current relief-area location.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Animal relief areas are available near the terminal.

Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Santa Rosa / Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Colorado

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International provides designated animal relief areas for travelers with pets and service animals.

Travelers connecting through DEN should check the current airport map because relief-area locations can vary by concourse and terminal access.

Colorado Springs Airport (COS)

A designated animal relief area is available at the airport.

Connecticut

Bradley International Airport (BDL)

Bradley provides designated animal relief areas near the terminal.

Florida

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

Animal relief areas are available around the terminal.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)

A designated service-animal relief facility is available.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminal.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International currently provides multiple animal relief facilities, including indoor post-security locations.

Current indoor locations include areas near:

Gate D34
Gate F7
Gate G11
The H-J connector

Outdoor facilities are also available, although one location is currently affected by construction. Travelers should check the airport’s current map before traveling.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando provides designated service-animal relief areas.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)

Travelers should check the airport’s current accessibility information for the latest relief-area location.

Pensacola International Airport (PNS)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa provides animal relief facilities, including areas accessible after security.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Georgia

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Atlanta provides designated animal relief areas. Travelers should check the current airport map because locations can change by terminal and construction activity.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminal.

Hawaii

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

Honolulu provides designated service-animal relief facilities.

Kahului Airport (OGG)

A service-animal relief area is available.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)

Animal relief facilities are available.

Lihue Airport (LIH)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Idaho

Boise Airport (BOI)

Boise provides an animal relief area near the terminal.

Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Illinois

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Midway provides designated animal relief facilities, including an indoor location after security.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

O’Hare provides multiple animal relief areas throughout the airport, including indoor facilities.

Travelers should check the current terminal map because locations can change.

Indiana

Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

Animal relief areas are available both outside and in certain secure areas of the airport.

Iowa

Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Kansas

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)

A designated service-animal relief area is available.

Kentucky

Blue Grass Airport (LEX)

Animal relief facilities are available.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)

A designated animal relief area is available near baggage claim.

Louisiana

Alexandria International Airport (AEX)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Monroe Regional Airport (MLU)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

New Orleans provides a designated service-animal relief area.

Maine

Bangor International Airport (BGR)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Maryland

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

BWI provides designated animal relief facilities.

Massachusetts

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Boston Logan provides animal relief areas near its terminals.

Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Detroit provides designated animal relief areas, including post-security locations.

Bishop International Airport (FNT)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Minnesota

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

MSP provides animal relief areas at both terminals, including facilities inside the secure area.

Rochester International Airport (RST)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Mississippi

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Missouri

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

Kansas City International provides designated animal relief areas at the terminals.

Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF)

A designated animal relief area is available.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminals.

Montana

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

An animal relief area is available.

Helena Regional Airport (HLN)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)

An animal relief area is available.

Missoula Montana Airport (MSO)

A designated service-animal relief area is available.

Nebraska

Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Nevada

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Harry Reid International provides designated animal relief facilities.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Reno-Tahoe provides designated animal relief areas.

New Hampshire

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)

A service-animal relief area is available inside the secure area, as well as an outdoor relief area.

New Jersey

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Animal relief areas are available around the airport.

Travelers should check the current terminal map because relief-area locations can change.

New Mexico

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

Designated animal relief areas are available near the terminal.

Roswell International Air Center (ROW)

An animal relief area is available.

Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminal.

New York

Albany International Airport (ALB)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

Animal relief areas are available, with assistance available for travelers needing access after security.

Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)

A designated animal relief area is available.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK provides animal relief facilities at and around its terminals, including post-security locations in certain terminals.

Because JFK has multiple independently operated terminals, travelers should check the current information for their specific terminal and airline.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminals.

Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)

Animal relief facilities are available near the airport terminal.

North Carolina

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Charlotte Douglas currently provides multiple Service Animal Relief Areas, including both pre-security and post-security locations.

Post-security facilities are located near:

Concourse A Connector
Concourse E
Concourses D/E
D/E Connector

CLT recommends using its interactive airport map for the most current locations.

Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY)

Animal relief facilities are available.

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

RDU provides designated Service Animal Relief Areas at both terminals.

North Dakota

Bismarck Airport (BIS)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Hector International Airport (FAR)

An animal relief area is available.

Ohio

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

An animal relief area is available.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Dayton International Airport (DAY)

An animal relief area is available.

Akron-Canton Airport (CAK)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Eugene?

Not applicable — see Oregon below.

Toledo Express Airport (TOL)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Oklahoma

Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

A designated animal relief area is available near baggage claim.

Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

A service-animal relief area is available.

Oregon

Eugene Airport (EUG)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Portland provides animal relief facilities both before and after security.

Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM)

An animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Philadelphia International has an extensive network of Service Animal Relief Areas, including facilities inside the terminals and outside the secure area.

PHL currently lists relief areas throughout its terminals, including locations near multiple gates and concourses.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Pittsburgh provides outdoor animal relief facilities and a post-security service-animal relief area.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)

A service-animal relief area is available after security, along with outdoor facilities.

South Carolina

Charleston International Airport (CHS)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

An animal relief area is available.

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)

Animal relief facilities are available both before and after security.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)

Designated animal relief areas are available.

South Dakota

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Tennessee

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)

An animal relief area is available.

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

A designated service-animal relief area is available.

Memphis International Airport (MEM)

Memphis provides multiple animal relief areas, including indoor facilities.

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

A designated service-animal relief area is available.

Texas

Abilene Regional Airport (ABI)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA)

An animal relief area is available.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

Animal relief facilities are available around the terminal.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

DFW currently provides designated relief areas in all five terminals, including inside-security locations.

Current inside-security locations include:

Terminal A — A29
Terminal B — B28
Terminal D — D18
Terminal E — E31

Additional outdoor locations are available throughout the airport. DFW states that animals must remain on leash.

Dallas Love Field (DAL)

Animal relief facilities are available.

El Paso International Airport (ELP)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Valley International Airport (HRL)

An animal relief area is available.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

An outdoor animal relief area is available.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Multiple animal relief areas are available.

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)

An animal relief area is available.

McAllen International Airport (MFE)

A designated Service Animal Relief Area is available.

Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF)

An animal relief area is available.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

San Antonio provides designated animal relief facilities, including post-security locations.

Utah

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Salt Lake City provides multiple animal relief areas, including facilities inside the secure area.

Vermont

Burlington International Airport (BTV)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Virginia

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Reagan National currently provides multiple animal relief areas both before and after security, including locations in Terminals 1 and 2.

The airport specifically identifies several post-security relief areas.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Dulles provides animal relief areas both inside and outside the secure area.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Animal relief areas are available near the terminal.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Roanoke provides animal relief facilities, including a service-animal relief area after security.

Washington

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Seattle-Tacoma provides animal relief facilities both before and after security.

Spokane International Airport (GEG)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Bellingham International Airport (BLI)

An animal relief area is available.

Tri-Cities Airport (PSC)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Yakima Air Terminal (YKM)

An animal relief area is available.

West Virginia

West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW)

A designated animal relief area is available near the terminal.

Wisconsin

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Animal relief facilities are available near the terminal.

Wyoming

Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

A designated animal relief area is available.

Tips for Using an Airport Relief Area With Your Service Dog

Use the relief area before going through security

Whenever practical, allow your service dog to relieve itself before entering the secure area.

This can make the beginning of your trip easier, particularly when you have a long flight or connection.

Locate the post-security area before your trip

If your airport has a post-security service-animal relief area, locate it before traveling.

Save the airport map on your phone so you can find the facility quickly after passing through security.

Allow extra time

Do not wait until boarding begins to look for a relief area.

Airports can be large, and walking from your gate to a relief area may take considerably longer than expected.

Ask airport personnel for assistance

If you cannot locate the relief area, ask an airport information desk or your airline for directions.

At some airports, airline or airport personnel may assist passengers who need access to an area that requires leaving and re-entering a secure portion of the airport.

Keep your service dog under control

Your service dog should remain under your control while traveling through the airport.

Follow the airport’s requirements concerning leashes, harnesses and designated relief areas.

Traveling With a Service Dog: What to Know

Airport relief areas are only one part of traveling with a service dog.

Under current U.S. Department of Transportation rules, a service animal for air transportation is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

Emotional support animals, comfort animals and service animals in training are not considered service animals under the current DOT definition.

Airlines may require passengers traveling with service dogs to complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. Additional documentation may apply for flights lasting eight hours or longer.

Keep Your Service Dog Information Organized

Traveling with a service dog is easier when your dog’s important information is organized and readily available.

A personalized Service Dog Registration and ID Card can provide a convenient way to keep identifying information together when traveling, visiting businesses, attending appointments, or simply carrying your dog’s information with you.

Service Dog Registration

Personalized Service Dog ID Card

A personalized ID card can include information such as:

Dog’s name
Handler’s name
Photograph
Dog identification information
Contact information
Registration information
QR code or digital profile, where available

An ID card is an identification and organizational tool. It does not replace an airline’s required DOT forms or establish service-animal status by itself.

Prepare Before Your Flight

Before traveling, consider completing this checklist:

Before booking

Check your airline’s current service-animal policy.
Confirm that your dog meets the current DOT definition.
Review any airline forms.
Check destination requirements.
Check your dog’s health and vaccination records.

Before leaving for the airport

Locate the airport’s animal relief areas.
Allow your dog to relieve itself.
Bring water.
Bring cleanup supplies.
Keep your dog’s information accessible.
Keep your service dog under control.

At the airport

Follow airline and airport instructions.
Use designated relief areas.
Allow extra time for connections.
Ask airline personnel for assistance if needed.

Connecting Flights

If you have a connecting flight, do not assume that every airport has the same relief-area arrangement.

Before your trip, check:

Your departure airport
Your connecting airport
Your destination airport

Pay particular attention to whether the relief area is pre-security or post-security.

At large airports, your connecting gate may be several concourses away from the nearest relief area.

International Travel With a Service Dog

International travel can involve requirements beyond airline service-animal rules.

Depending on your destination, you may need documentation concerning:

Rabies vaccination
Health certificates
Microchip identification
Import permits
Animal health requirements
Quarantine rules
Country-specific entry requirements

International requirements can change. Check the current requirements for the destination country well before your departure date.

If You Need Assistance at the Airport

If you need help locating a service-animal relief area, contact:

Your airline
Airport customer service
Airport accessibility services
An airport information desk

For passengers with disabilities, the Transportation Security Administration also provides TSA Cares assistance.

TSA Cares: 1-855-787-2227

Phoenix Sky Harbor currently recommends contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours before departure when requesting specialized screening assistance.

Important Service Dog Travel Information

Airport facilities and airline requirements can change. Always verify the information directly with your airline and airport before traveling.

The information on this page is provided for general travel-planning purposes and should not be considered legal advice.

A private service dog registration, certificate, vest, or ID card does not by itself create legal service-animal status or replace documentation required by an airline.

Travel Prepared. Stay Organized.

A personalized Service Dog ID Card provides a convenient identification tool to carry with you while traveling.

Service Dog Registration • Personalized ID Cards • Digital Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Do airports have service dog relief areas?

Yes. Many U.S. airports provide designated animal or service-animal relief areas. Larger airports increasingly provide facilities both before and after security.

Are service dog relief areas free?

Airport relief areas are generally provided as airport facilities. Check with the individual airport for current policies and access information.

Can my service dog use a pet relief area?

Generally, designated animal relief areas can be used by service animals, but travelers should follow the airport’s posted rules.

Are there relief areas after airport security?

Yes. Many major airports now provide post-security service-animal relief areas. Availability varies by airport and terminal.

Can I take my service dog outside after going through security?

This depends on the airport and location. If you leave the secure area, you may need to go through TSA screening again before returning to your gate.

Does my service dog need an ID card to fly?

No. A private ID card is not a substitute for the airline’s applicable requirements or DOT forms. An ID card can nevertheless be useful as a convenient identification and information tool.

Does service dog registration make my dog a service animal?

No. Registration does not create service-animal status. Under current DOT rules, the dog must meet the applicable definition and training requirements.

Should I register my service dog before traveling?

Many handlers choose to keep their dog’s identification and information organized before traveling. A private registration and personalized ID card can provide a convenient way to carry that information with you.

What should I bring when traveling with a service dog?

Bring your dog’s required airline documentation, identification and health/vaccination information as applicable, along with water and cleanup supplies.

Where can I find the most current airport relief-area information?

The airport’s official website and interactive terminal map are the best sources for current locations. Relief areas can move when terminals are renovated or airport operations change.

Current Airport Information

Because airport facilities can change, we recommend checking the airport’s official website immediately before your trip for the latest:

Service-animal relief-area locations
Terminal maps
Security information
Accessibility services
Construction-related changes
Gate information

This page is designed to help you prepare — but the airport’s current information should always be treated as the final source for the location of its relief facilities.

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