In-Cabin Pet Policy

If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Southwest Airlines pet policy to travel in-cabin, you will need an approved airline pet carrier. The maximum size carrier that can be carried on a Southwest flight is 8.5" high x 18.5" long x 13.5" wide. If you are traveling with a soft-sided carrier, the height should be measured when compressed. There must be sufficient room for your pet to stand up and turn around in the carrier. It must have a waterproof bottom and must have adequate ventilation.

A maximum of 6 pets is permitted per flight. Southwest pet policy is one pet carrier per paying adult passenger. Two very small dogs or cats can travel in the same carrier as long as they are of the same species.

Pets Allowed:

Small dogs, cats and household birds

Age

Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks of age.

Route Restrictions:

Pets are not permitted to travel on international flights including those to Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic.

Southwest Airlines will fly pets between Hawaiian islands; however, they do not offer service to pets flying to Hawaii.

Reservations

You must notify Southwest Airlines that you are traveling with a pet. Reservations for pets cannot be made online. The charge for transporting a pet in the cabin is $95.00 each way. Any flights on routes served with AirTran are subject to AirTran's pet policy when flying on their aircraft. Pets must be checked in at the airport ticket counter, however customers can still secure their boarding pass online, at curbside checkin, the airport kiosk, or the ticket counter.

Law Enforcement, Service and Emotional Support Animals

Southwest Airlines will accept dogs trained in the duties of law enforcement in the cabin at no charge as long as they are accompanied with their handlers, details of their mission and a letter of certification.

Trained service animals may fly in the cabin on all domestic and international flights served by Southwest Airlines.

Owners of trained service animals must provide verbal assurance regarding the training of their animal. ID cards or registry paperwork will not be accepted as proof of training. If the passenger's disability is unclear, Southwest employees may ask questions about the animal's ability to serve the passenger.

Forms issued by the US Departmeent of Transportation must be provided for all service animals.

Service animals must display proper behavior while in the cabin. They cannot interfere with cabin operations or other passengers. Owners are responsible to provide for their animal's sanitary requirements.

More about airline pet policies for service animals.

Checked Baggage Pet Policy

Southwest does not offer checked baggage service for live animals currently.

Air Cargo Pet Policies

Southwest does not offer air cargo service for live animals currently.

Airports Served

Southwest serves many locations in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Puppies and Kittens

Southwest will transport puppies and kittens over 8 weeks of age (domestic in-cabin flights).

Banned Breeds

Southwest does not ban dog or cat breeds from traveling in the cabin of their aircraft. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.

 

Need more information?

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. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the airline your pet is flying.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

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