Airports buzz with furry travelers as pet-friendly travel soars

This year, airports are seeing an unprecedented surge in travelers, including many who are bringing their pets along for the journey.

Travelers are flocking to airports in record numbers this year, and that includes those with furry companions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Tom Carpenter and his wife frequently travel with their Havanese dog, Mori. “His daycare would cost $350 for a 10-day trip, so paying for hotel fees and $100 each way to bring him on the plane is worthwhile,” said Carpenter, a 67-year-old resident of Anacortes, Washington. “Besides, Mori hates being left alone.”  

The Carpenters are part of a growing trend among pet owners who are increasingly comfortable taking their pets on trips, contributing to the rising demand for pet-related services beyond traditional veterinary care.   “I noticed an increase in people traveling with their pets early in 2024,” said Heather Eisenstadt, founder of Top Dog Pet Travel, a pet-friendly travel agency in central Florida.

She recently assisted a client in bringing her dog along to a Taylor Swift concert in Europe, arriving in Paris and then taking Le Pet Express—a minibus service for pet travelers—through the Channel Tunnel to the UK. 

According to an August report from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 22 per cent of cat and dog owners have taken their pets on at least three flights over the past year, a significant increase from 13 per cent for dogs and 14 per cent for cats in 2022. The uptick was also notable for road trips.

By Naila Huseynova