If you are planning to go on a trip and want to take your pet with you, the Southwest Airlines Pet Policy is a terrific option. The airline allows small animals, but you must follow the rules and guidelines to have a safe and comfortable flight.
By becoming familiar with Southwest’s pet policies, you can enjoy your journey with your pet. The details in this post will help you manage the process and ensure your pet travels securely and comfortably, whether it’s your first trip or you travel frequently.
Are Pets Allowed on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, Southwest Airlines allows pets on board. But it’s crucial to remember that you should vaccinate your pet before traveling, so the airline will allow you to bring them along. They need to be in a carrier that fits beneath the seat in front of you. Southwest Airlines does not require you to have your pet’s vaccination records on hand.
Due to the airline’s “open seating” policy, pets are welcome. Owners will have to sit somewhere other than an exit row or a seat without an under-seat storage compartment.
Southwest does not allow pets to fly to or from Hawaii, so if you are heading there, you might want to use another airline. You can learn more about particular requirements by visiting the website for people traveling to Puerto Rico.
As soon as you are confident that your pet will be going with you, make a reservation because there are restrictions on the number of pets that can board a flight. The airline also maintains the right to deny service if a pet exhibits disruptive habits such as;
- Excessive whining and barking.
- Biting, growling, or scratching.
- Urinating or excreting in the cabin or gate area.
Additionally, it is prohibited to remove pets from their carriers during flights and to provide them access to food or drinks.
How to Add Your Pet on Southwest Airlines
It’s a simple process to add your pet on a Southwest Airlines flight. The detailed procedure listed below will assist you in making sure that your companion’s booking and flight go without a hitch;
- Before making a reservation, familiarize yourself with Southwest Airlines’ pet policy. Make sure you know the requirements and limitations of taking a pet on a trip.
- Indicate that you will be bringing a pet when booking your flight. The pet fare is the same regardless of the route; you must pay it when making a reservation.
- The carrier for your pet must fit beneath the seat in front of you. Only one or two of the same breed of cat or dog may be kept in the carrier. Visit the pet carrier page for more details regarding the permissible sizes.
- Make a reservation right away by dialing 1-800-I-FLY-SWA® (1-800-435-9792). Each trip has a six-pet maximum, meaning that only six animals can board a flight at a time, so you must book your pet’s flight as soon as possible.
- After placing the call, you can follow the prompts to add your companion to the flight successfully.
Pets You Can Fly on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines enables customers to bring their small dogs and cats as carry-on pets. The following kinds of pets can be present on flights following the Southwest pet policy:
- Dogs: Small domestic dogs that have had their vaccinations can fly.
- Cats: You should immunize your little domestic cats to avoid delay at the airport or denial.
It’s crucial to know that Southwest Airlines does not allow other kinds of pets to fly with them.
Pets You Can’t Fly on Southwest Airlines
Although the airline allows small dogs, cats, and certified service animals to travel on all flights, several pet breeds are prohibited. Here is a list of animals that Southwest Airlines would not transport:
- Certain breeds of dogs – Breeds that known to be aggressive, pose a health or safety danger to other passengers.
- Young pets – Animals less than eight weeks old or pets that have not undergone any training in any way will not be able to travel with Southwest Airlines.
- Large pets – Pets that cannot fit in a comfortable carrier with adequate ventilation. The airline cannot carry large breeds of dogs and cats since they cannot fit under the seat in front of the owner.
- Not vaccinated – Unhealthy dogs, cats, or pets without vaccinations will be inadmissible.
Cabin Policy For Pets on Southwest Airlines
Regarding taking pets on board, Southwest Airlines has a clear policy. The list below contains steps that you can follow to make sure your pet has a safe and comfortable flight;
- For Southwest flights, trained service dogs, small dogs, and cats should be the only animals in the cabin.
- Each traveler may bring one pet carrier with them. You should note that the pet carrier is a personal or carry-on item.
- One or two pets must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably within the pet carrier. Also, the bag must have suitable, well-ventilated, leak-proof, and spacious features.
- The airline does not allow pets to use cabin seats for any reason. They need to be in the carrier or crate at all times.
It’s crucial to remember that Southwest Airlines’ pet policy is subject to modification, so it’s always advisable to visit their website for the most up-to-date details.
Southwest Emotional Support Animal Policy
Southwest Airlines has decided to stop allowing emotional support animals to fly in the cabin with their owners as of March 2021. However, it is free to transport trained assistance dogs who carry out duties for people with physical or mental disabilities.
To fly with a trained service animal, you must fulfill certain conditions set forth by the airline. You will need to get and fill in the Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation form at the ticket window or gate on the day of your flight. Suppose an animal doesn’t fully match the requirements to be a trained assistance animal. In that case, it may still be eligible to be allowed as a therapy dog.
Southwest Airlines Pet Reservation
You need to make a pet reservation in advance to fly on Southwest Airlines with a pet. Making a reservation for a pet requires adhering to the following rules:
- You should use Southwest Airlines’ website or the reservations center to make pet bookings.
- For each route, you will need to pay a pet fare.
- Each passenger is limited to one pet box or carrier.
- The pet carrier must fit beneath the owner’s front seat in the cabin and provide room for the pet.
- On trips lasting more than 12 hours or overseas flights, you cannot bring your pet to travel with you.
It’s crucial to be prepared with your name and contact details when making a reservation. You must also include details about your pet, including its name, breed, the type and size of the pet carrier you want to use, and whether it is a service dog, a therapy dog, or just a regular pet that you are taking with you.
Southwest Airlines Pet Fee
Using Southwest Airlines requires you to pay a pet fee if you want to travel with your pet. Small cats, dogs, and assistance animals that have received training to travel in the cabin all require a pet fee of $95 for each trip.
You might not be required to pay for your dog to travel in some circumstances. Taking a trip with search-and-rescue dogs and law enforcement dogs is one example. It’s vital to remember that each passenger is only allowed to bring one personal item, which must be a pet carrier.
FAQs
FAQs are an excellent method to find quick answers to frequently asked questions regarding a specific subject. Since traveling with your furry companion may require lots of research you may have many questions. There are a few frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines’ pet policy listed below, some of which you may find the answers to in the article;
Is it safe to fly my pet on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, it is safe to fly your pet on Southwest Airlines. The pet policy is available to make sure that animals are secure and at ease during every trip. So make sure you abide by all instructions for a safe flight. Before departing, you should also check with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy enough to fly.
Can I buy my pet a seat on Southwest Airlines?
No, you can not buy a seat for your pet on Southwest Airlines. The pet carrier needs to fit under the seat in front of you.
How strict is Southwest about pet carrier size?
Southwest Airlines has stringent rules about the size of pet carriers that are allowed. The carrier must have enough room for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie comfortably. The dimensions of a bag must be 17” (L) x 10” (W) x 9.5” (H). The maximum dimensions allowed is 18.5” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 9.5” (H).
