Southwest Airlines Pet Policy – Big Dog No Biscuit!

For those who want to fly with their pets, many customers turn to Southwest Airlines for travel options with small dogs or cats; however, traveling with a larger pet is out of the question as they do not allow cargo pets and have a size restriction for in-cabin pets. The Southwest Airlines Pet Policy entails policies to ensure that pets and their owners can travel comfortably and safely. In the end, it is up to the customer to understand and educate themselves of the applicable guidelines and to prepare in advance to avoid problems on the day of the trip.  

Should You Fly Southwest

Airline – Southwest Airlines

Pets allowed in Cabin – Yes

Average Price In Cabin – $95.00 each way

Booking – Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA

Check-in/Check-out – Check Pet at ticket counter

Pets allowed as Cargo – Southwest Airlines Does not allow pets as cargo

Pets allowed on international flights – Pets are not allowed to fly international

Deaths in 2017 – None Reported (Reports are only for cargo pets)

Phone Number – 1-800-I-FLY-SWA

United Airline Review

Southwest Airlines allows customers to carry small pets that will fit within the applicable carrier (cats and dogs only) on all Southwest Airlines domestic flights only. All pets in the cabin must remain in a suitable carrier for the duration of the flight and customer may only have one pet carrier on board the flight. The pet Carrier may contain up to two dogs or cats of the same species as long as they fit within the specifications of the carrier, no dog and cat fights allowed on the aircraft.

The pet carrier is considered as one of the applicable carry-ons as directed by the policies of Southwest Airlines. Southwest needs no health certificate or other customer veterinarian’s documents compared to other airlines in order to travel. Pets are not allowed on international flights.

Only Small Dogs Allowed

What Pets Can Fly With South

west Airline Pet Policy

• Small dogs
• Cats

The number of pets allowed is a maximum of 6 pets per flight; however, depending on the fight, this is subject to change. Southwest Airline pet policy limits 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.

Age Requirement And Restriction For Your Pet

• Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old.
• Breed restrictions
• Southwest Airlines does not prohibit a cat or a dog from traveling in the cabin during the flight. However, animals with aggressive behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Pet Reservations For Southwest Airline Pet Policy

Pets are accepted based on punctuality as the total number of pets per flight is limited at this time. Customers should make their animal reservations as soon as they confirm their travel plans to ensure availability for their pets. Pet fees are charged at the counter and the cost to fly your pet is $95.00 each way. The pet fees are non-refundable and cannot be used for future travel if not used.

If traveling with a dog or a cat, you will need to check in at the ticket counter at the airport and pay the fee before going to the gate. Customers can get their boarding pass online, at check-in at the curb, at the airport kiosk or at the ticket counter.

Southwest Airlines does not accept pets traveling without a customer and pets are not allowed to travel with unaccompanied minors or on international flights. You must let Southwest Airlines know that you are traveling with a pet and reservation need to be made in advance. Pet reservations cannot be made online, so making reservations result in calling Southwest Airlines to confirm the flight of your pet.

If you happen to get a connecting flight served by AirTran the flight would be subject to AirTran’s Pet Policy when flying with their aircraft. Pets must be registered at the airport’s ticket counter, but guests can get their boarding pass online, at check-in, at the airport kiosk or at the ticket counter.

Size Of Pet Allowed On Southwest Airlines

The size of pet you can transport on flights with Southwest Airlines is contingent on the restrictions of the acceptable pet carrier and must be able to fit under the seat directly in front of you. In my case my dearly beloved basset hound would not be acceptable by Southwest Airlines pet policy as she would not fit comfortably in the acceptable pet carriers. Those of you with smaller breeds of dogs or cat that do fit in the specified pet carrier may benefit from flying with Southwest Airlines.

Soft Sided Pet Carrier

Pet Carrier Requirements And Construction

The required transport sizes for pet carriers are as follows:

• Rigid wall pet carriers: up to 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide
• Soft wall pet carriers: up to 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide
• Pet carriers must have a watertight floor
• Ventilation is required on at least two sides of the pet carrier
• Pet carrier must have enough space for your pet to stand up and turn around

Pet Carrier Policies In Compliance With Southwest Pet Policy

Pets traveling in the cabin or on shuttles must be transported in pet-friendly, rigid-walled animal carrier that are watertight and ventilated on at least two sides. The pet carrier must be tall enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. The pet carrier must fit in front of you under the seat of the aircraft.

Dimensions under the seat are: window seat – 19 “W x 14” W x 8.25 “H, middle seat – 19” W x 19 “W x 8.25” H; Southwest Airlines authorizes only one animal carrier per passenger holding a ticket. The pet Carrier may contain two (2) cats or dogs and must be of the same species to be kenneled together, no dog and cat fights allowed.

Your pet must be kept in the carrier during entry and exit and during the duration of the flight, except when going through security, as they will ask that you hold your pet to go through the scanner and send the pet carrier through the x-ray scanner, so I would say it would be a good idea to have a collar and leash readily available so your pet does not get away from you.

All pets in the cabin must be transported in a suitable pet carrier. Each customer may only have one company carrier on board and the carrier may contain up to two cats or dogs of the same species. The pet carrier is considered a piece of the customer’s luggage as a carry-on. Southwest needs no health certificate or other customer veterinarian’s documents to travel. Pets are not allowed on international flights.

Is Southwest Airline The Best Bet For Flying Your Pet?

As you can see Southwest Airlines may be an acceptable way to fly with a small dog or cat as you do not need the added expense of running to the vet for a certificate of health and the price is reasonable to fly with your pet. The only problem I see with flying Southwest Airlines is the policy prohibits larger dogs as they do not allow cargo pets and are limited to only domestic dogs and cats. Understanding Southwest Airlines policy will help you to make a more educated decision on how to fly with your pet.