When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Southwest? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Southwest? What documents will I need? What are the carrier requirements for Southwest? All your answers related to Southwest pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No
Where is Southwest based?
Southwest [IATA:WN] is based out of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in Dallas, Texas. Most layovers within Southwest’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Southwest fly to?
Southwest offers service to pets to the following countries: throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Southwest also will accommodate service dogs only to Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Caymen Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Turks and Caicos. Click on the country to see the pet import requirements.
Southwest Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Southwest’s pet policy to fly in the cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown by Southwest in the cabin
Small dogs and cats may fly in the cabin on Southwest flights to domestic locations and Puerto Rico. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792 to make reservations for your pet.
Age requirements
Pets must be at least eight weeks to fly in the cabin.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic) or 4 sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
The maximum dimensions for pet carriers flown in the cabin are 18.5″L x 13.5″W x 9.5″H. Hard or soft-sided carriers are accepted. Two pets of the same species can fly in the same carrier if there is adequate room for them. Your pet’s carrier will be counted either as a personal item or a carry-on item. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination is required for pets flying to Puerto Rico. A health certificate is recommended but not required for domestic flights.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Route restrictions
Southwest Airlines will fly pets between the Hawaiian Islands; however, they do not offer service to pets flying to or from Hawaii. Additionally, pets are not flown on international flights.
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The fee to fly a pet on Southwest is $125 per carrier in each direction (round trip flights). Between the Hawaiian Islands, the cost is $35 per carrier.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin on all Southwest flights at no charge. They must be trained by an organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They will not be seated in exit rows. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation form and a Relief Attestation Form must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. The date on the forms must be after the date you purchase your ticket.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally. All required documents must be presented at check in.
Southwest Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Southwest does not offer checked baggage service to any live animal.
Southwest Pet Policy – Air Cargo
Southwest does not offer air cargo service to any live animal.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Southwest pet policy. For more pet friendly airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
Routing your pet’s flight
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about transporting a pet with Southwest? Post it below and we will respond.You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Southwest pet policy.
Leave a Reply