Flying can be a fun and yet still stressful event for all travelers, especially for furry friends who are making that trip with you.
From packing properly to security screening to boarding the aircraft, there are lots of things to consider before heading out on your journey together. Here are some pointers for making the journey through Tampa International Airport as easy as possible.
Ask your airline first. Airlines all have their own guidelines for which pets or service animals are allowed on their aircraft and how you should travel with them. Besides paying the fee for Fido, be sure to check with your airline for what dimensions pet carriers should be, any weight restrictions and general guidelines for taking to the skies with your pet.
Keep your companion contained. Service animals are always allowed to assist their owners through TPA, and the Airport abides by airline policies on traveling pets. But all animals need to be either leashed or in their carriers while inside our facilities, for their own safety and the safety of others. The Transportation Security Administration allows pets to be removed from carriers at security checkpoints so the carrier can be screened, but the pet also may be inspected. And be sure to keep your pals close at hand when boarding any of our shuttles.
Don’t use the escalators. If your leashed pet is on the prowl inside the Airport, forget the escalators and opt for the elevators instead. Furry feet can easily get caught in between treads and plates on the escalator’s conveyor, leading to serious injury or worse. TPA provides multiple elevator banks between each floor of our Main Terminal, making transit easier.
Use the provided pit stops. General guidelines say don’t let your pet eat or drink a good while before traveling, but just in case Spot needs to take a bio-break, TPA offers plenty of options. You’ll find pet relief options outside our Baggage Claim and Express Curbsides Arrivals areas pre-security, or in each of our four Airsides. These outdoor areas provide synthetic grass, waste disposal bags and bins, drinking water and even a faux fire hydrant to help your pet feel at home. Check locations on our Maps page here.
Keep grounded pets at home. We know that pets are part of the family, but if your companion isn’t traveling with you or isn’t a service animal there to assist, please leave them at home. Airports are bustling with people, lights, noise and plenty of other pets (and K9 units trying to do their jobs), so skip the Main Terminal reunion and save the hugs for home.
More information about pet policies at TPA and our airline partners, click here.
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