Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Service Animal Policies

Assistance animals are welcome to travel with passengers who have disabilities. Certain exemptions are provided to these animals, but some rules and restrictions still apply. To determine if your dog qualifies to be certified as a Psychiatric Service Dog and can be accepted as such for air travel, you can visit Pettable’s PSD service.

Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Pet Relief Areas

ATL airport pet policy offers easy access to animal relief areas for most every passenger that goes through the airport with their pet. The Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport has seven animal relief areas—the second highest number of areas for a United States airport.

Indoor animal relief areas are located in every concourse near Gates T7, A10, B33, C19, E14, F7, as well as D-Midpoint. The airport also houses two outdoor dog parks: Poochie Park near the Ground Transportation area on Domestic Terminal South and an additional pet relief area on the arrivals level of the International Terminal.

Atlanta airport pet policy also says that dogs must remain in carriers while in the airport. The only exceptions include while going through security and while utilizing a pet relief area. However, service dogs are allowed to traverse the airport carrier-free.


ATL Pet Cargo Locations

If your dog is too large to fly as an in-cabin passenger, he will likely need to travel as pet cargo. Some airlines continue to allow pets to fly as checked baggage, but this practice is becoming increasingly uncommon. When flying as checked baggage, Atlanta airport pet policy dictates that the animal is processed at the airline counter on departure and at excess baggage claim upon arrival.

If your dog is traveling as cargo, Hartsfield-Jackson pet policy directs passengers to visit the cargo facility associated with their chosen airline. Hartsfield-Jackson has three main air cargo complexes—North, Midfield, and South. They total more than 1.5 million square feet, meaning you should have an idea of your destination before embarking on a search. Additionally, there is no shuttle service to and from cargo areas.

Below, we have listed essential location and contact information for each ATL pet cargo facility.

United Airlines
Freight Facility
3400 Interloop Road
Hapeville, GA 30320 US
800-575-3335

Delta
Delta Cargo
1600 M H Jackson Service Road, Building B
Atlanta, Georgia 30320
800-352-2746

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Cargo
3400 N Innerloop Road
Atlanta, GA 30354
404-765-6260

Lufthansa
Lufthansa Cargo
4301 ASR Road, Building A
Atlanta, GA 30337
800-542-2746

Alaska Air
4300 ASR Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30337
800-225-2752

Watch the weather when making a reservation as the travel date approaches. If the temperature is forecast to be over 85 degrees, it may be unsafe for your pet to fly in the cargo hold.

 

More About Atlanta Airport Pet Policies

ATL pet policy requires animals to be kenneled while on airport grounds (unless, of course, they are service dogs, going through security, or using a pet relief area). If you are landing at Hartsfield-Jackson, we recommend looking up the closest animal relief area as soon as you know your landing gate, which will allow your pup to stretch his legs soon after de-boarding.

Though pet-friendly, ATL sees thousands of passengers each day—many of whom are also traveling with dogs. There are seven total pet relief areas, but only one per concourse. Your pet may not be the only in need of relief. If this is the case, take a deep breath and wait your turn. Speedbumps should be expected, and at Hartsfield-Jackson, you’ll have the resources to tackle them head-on.