June 2023
Traveling With Pets This Summer, Here Are Some Tips
With the summer travel season upon us, the Transportation Security Administration is expecting to see a marked increase in the number of pets brought to the security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Traveling through a security checkpoint with your pet can be easy when you know what to expect.
“Becoming familiar with the screening procedures and how to clear security quickly and easily is the first step to embarking on a great trip with your pet,” said TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha.
- All pets should be brought to the security checkpoint in a hand-held travel carrier. Remove the pet from the carrier just prior to the beginning of the screening process.
- Place the empty travel carrier so it can be X-rayed.
- Never place a pet in the X-ray tunnel. The X-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers’ personal property and carry-on luggage only.
- If possible, carry the pet during the screening process. Alternately, a pet can walk through the screening process if the owner has the pet on a leash.
- A TSA officer will give the pet owner’s hands an explosive trace detection swab to ensure there is no explosive residue on the owner’s hands.
- Once the screening process is complete, owners should return the pet to the travel carrier at the re-composure area away from the security checkpoint. This location helps ensure the safety of the pet as well as other passengers.
Pet travel restrictions vary by airline, so please check with your air carrier before traveling with your pet. Links to airline information can be found here. For information on traveling with service animals or for other special circumstances, please reach out to the TSA Contact Center by calling 866-289-9673 or by emailing TSAContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov.