RDU 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.
RDU Airport Pet Relief Areas
Raleigh Airport’s two pet relief areas are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The Terminal 1 pet relief area is located across from Baggage Claim 1. You can find Terminal 2’s pet relief area in Baggage Claim across from Customs and Border Protection. If you are bringing your beloved family pet on an airliner, it makes sense that you would want to be as prepared as possible before your trip. Knowing the Raleigh Airport pet policy is the first step to make your animal as comfortable as possible and can take a lot of the stress out of flying, for you and for your pet. Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina understands this, and has provided pet relief areas for your convenience. For more information on the Pet Relief Areas that are available at RDU, check our pet relief areas page.
Bringing a Pet Through Raleigh Airport Security
When you fly your pet in the cabin of an aircraft, whether as a pet or as a service animal, you will have to bring it through security first. You will need to bring your animal through the metal detector, either on a leash or held in your arms. Place all of your pet’s belongings on the conveyor belt to go through the x-ray scanner. If you cannot carry or walk your pet through the metal detector, the security team will perform a secondary screening that includes a physical and visual inspection. The security team may ask you to remove your pet from its carrier so that they can screen the carrier, as well. Be sure to follow all of the instructions of the TSA agents.
RDU Airport and Airline Cargo Locations
Flying your pet as unaccompanied cargo is a valid option for many different types of animals. If your animal is too big to fly in the cabin, or if you are on an airliner that does not allow for animals in the cargo hold, then you may elect to ship your animal separately. There are several different cargo companies that operate out of RDU, so you can shop around for the best option for you and your pet.
If you are flying with one of these companies, bring your animal to the office at this facility and drop your pet off according to your servicer’s instructions. Different companies may vary in their specific logistics, so be sure to check when you how soon before the flight you should feed your animal, and what kinds of items your should provide for their comfort.
If your animal has flown into RDU cargo, you can pick them up at the cargo facility. Contact your servicer for any updated details.
Delta Cargo
1035 Cargo Dr #1201,
Raleigh, NC 27623
(800) 352-2746
American Airlines Cargo
2600 John Brantley Blvd
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 840-1405
Southwest Airlines Cargo
1035 Airside Dr Ste 1101
Morrisville, NC 27560
(800) 435-9792
More RDU Airport Pet Policies
When flying with your pet, there are several important things to keep in mind to keep them calm during a long flight or on a layover. Make sure to check your airline’s specific pet policies. Remember that your animal is in an unfamiliar place. They may be more easily bothered by the other sights and smells, and potentially other animals at the airport. Always keep your pet inside of its crate or carrier when in the airport, or on a leash if your animal is a service dog.
Take some time in the weeks before your flight to get your animal acclimated to the crate so that it will be more comfortable on the flight. Don’t drug or sedate your animal before the flight unless recommended to by a vet. Consult your animal’s vet before a major trip and visit the Raleigh Airport website for more information.
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