Pets and service animals

Flying with a pet or a service animal through ORD: what airlines ask for before you fly, where the animal relief areas are before and after security, and how to plan the time a dog needs between flights. These guides answer those questions from what the airport and the airlines publish, and the amenities pages list every relief area the airport locates.

• Flying with a pet through O'Hare

  O'Hare's pages don't mention pets. TSA wants your pet out of its carrier at the checkpoint, and the airline sets the carrier, fee and cabin rules.

  • Relief areas and the leash rule
  • Getting your pet through the checkpoint
  • What the airline decides
  • Arriving with a dog from abroad
  • Sources
• Pet relief areas at O'Hare: every terminal

  O'Hare lists outdoor relief areas at Terminals 1, 2 and 5 and indoor ones past security. None is listed outside Terminal 3, and its main hall area is closed.

  • Outside security: open at all times
  • Past security: open whenever you’re inside
  • Sources
• Service animals at O'Hare: security, trains and relief areas

  TSA won't separate you from your service animal at the checkpoint. O'Hare lists relief areas before and after security. Your airline handles arrangements.

  • At the checkpoint
  • Asking for help ahead of time
  • Relief areas, and why the side of security matters
  • Trains and buses
  • Arrangements with your airline
  • Sources