Pets flying American Airlines won’t have to keep their legs crossed anymore.
Dog and cat owners are invited to have their pets use the new pet relief area that has been installed at the American Airlines Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The pet relief area is located at the departure level of the terminal, so that pets can take a bathroom break before being packed in kennels for a flight.
The 1,500-square-foot area features a 1,000-square-foot patch of grass, a trash barrel for waste disposal, a walkway, benches and a bright red fire hydrant. There is also a “Mutt Mitt” dispenser to assist in waste disposal.
“Pets that travel have comfort needs, too, so we wanted to provide a way for them to be comfortable before boarding their flight, just like the rest of us,” says Joseph Daly, the Facilities Maintenance Manager for American Airlines at JFK Airport.
Pets that are small enough travel in kennels in the cabin of the plane. “The pets are confined in the kennels, so if they have to do their business, they do it in the kennel, which is less than ideal. We would hope that anyone who travels with a pet would want to avail themselves of the area so that their pets can take care of their comfort needs before they get on the plane,” says Ned Raynolds of American Airlines.
Approximately two million pets and other live animals travel by airplane every year in the U.S. Raynolds says the response from customers has been positive. “They like having a place to be able to give their pets the opportunity for some comfort before getting on the plane,” says Raynolds. So far, about 40 pets per day have been using the pet relief area.
American Airlines created the area in conjunction with the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners. The American Airlines terminal at JFK Airport is now listed on the web site PetFriendlyTravel.com.
