Booking a flight for your pet? Traveling with your pet involves several considerations, including health check-ups, vaccinations, and paperwork. Each airline has specific rules and regulations you must follow. If you’re planning to travel with your pet on Southwest Airlines, review the detailed Southwest Airlines pet travel policy.
Allowed Pets
Southwest Airlines allows small domestic cats and dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners. These pets must be vaccinated.
Destination Restriction
Pets are not allowed on flights to or from Hawaii. Additionally, they are not permitted on international flights or itineraries that include international segments.
Pet Age Requirements
Southwest Airlines requires pets to be at least 8 weeks old for travel.
Behavioral Requirements
A pet must not exhibit disruptive behavior. Examples of such behavior that could lead to a pet being denied boarding include scratching, growling, biting, lunging, or excessive whining and barking.
Travelling with Minors
Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to travel with pets.
Pet Relief Areas
All Southwest Airlines destinations feature a pet relief area. However, the airline will not delay a flight to allow customers to use this area for their pets.
Pet Carrier Rules
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Carrier Size and Specifications:
- Pet carriers must fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
- Dimensions: no more than 18.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 9.5 inches high.
- The carrier must be leak-proof and can have proper ventilation holes, whether it is soft-sided or hard-sided.
- Pets should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably within the carrier.
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Carrier Guidelines:
- Pets must stay in their carriers at all times, including in the gate area, during boarding, and throughout the flight.
- Each passenger with a ticket can bring only one pet carrier, and each carrier is capable of holding a maximum of two pets of the same species.
- A pet carrier could be either a personal item or a carry-on item. Passengers can bring a pet carrier along with a personal item or a standard-sized carry-on bag.
Number of Pets Per Flight
Generally, each flight allows no more than six pet carriers, though this number may vary. We accept pets on a first-come, first-served basis until all available slots are filled.
Reservation and Fees
1. Reservations:
Since each flight allows only a limited number of pets, passengers must reserve a spot for their pet. They must make a pet reservation.
2. Pet Fare:
- The airline will refund the pet fare if you cancel the reservation or flight.
- Passengers can obtain a refund at the ticket counter.
- Passengers must pay the pet fee at the airport ticket counter on the day of travel.
- We accept credit cards for payment.
Security and Boarding Procedures
1. Security Screening:
All pet carriers must undergo security screening. Remove your pet from the carrier, hold your pet, and send the empty carrier through the x-ray machine.
2. Boarding Policy:
Southwest Airlines permits open seating. However, customers traveling with pets cannot sit in exit rows or seats without under-seat storage.
To ensure a safe and smooth journey for your pet, adhere to all guidelines provided.
Also read Is Southwest Airlines Safe to Fly
