Pet lounge at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou International Airport opened East China's first pet lounge on Aug 28, offering a more comfortable and secure waiting space for pets.

As China's pet-related consumer market continues to grow, pet owners are increasingly demanding safer, more convenient, and humane travel options.

The new lounge aims to address common concerns such as cramped crates, lengthy procedures, and a lack of care during transit. It offers separate areas for cats and dogs, with each pet allocated a private waiting space. Smart pet carriers allow owners to monitor and talk to their pets remotely, easing anxiety.

The area also provides boarding, grooming, and leisure services. Even in the case of flight delays, trained staff are available to play with and care for the pets. An intelligent monitoring system maintains optimal temperature, humidity, and air quality around the clock.

Additionally, the airport offers one-stop pet travel services, including ticket booking, pick-up, and drop-off, ensuring a smooth journey from doorstep to cabin. An airport cargo station official said the lounge is not only a pilot project but also part of broader efforts to upgrade pet air travel standards in collaboration with airlines and industry partners.

As similar facilities are rolled out in other cities like Shenzhen, pet-friendly air services are expected to become more standardized, humane, and intelligent, offering traveling pets a safer and more comfortable flying experience.