United Airlines Pet Policy – What Are The Odds?

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I am stepping out there in a world of big debate of whether it is safe for a pet to fly United after this last weeks’ unfortunate loss of a puppy. I am trying to stay as unbiased as possible in order to bring you a good review of United Airlines Pet Policy that includes, information for both United Airlines Pet Policy Cabin and United Airline Cargo Pets so you can make an educated decision if you want to fly your pet United.

In reviewing United Airlines Pet policy I wanted to give you an extensive break down on the requirements, regulations, checking your pets, price and safety that United Airlines Pet Policy has laid out for their furry friends traveling. 

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Airline – United Airlines

Pets allowed in Cabin – Yes

Average Price In Cabin – 125.00 each way and additional 125.00 for each stop over of more than 4 hours.

Booking – On line at united.com or by calling the United Customer Contact Center at 1-800-UNITED-1

Check-in/Check out – Check Pet at ticket counter for in cabin flights or at United’s PetSafe cargo area

Pets allowed as Cargo – Yes through their PetSafe Program

Average Price – This will be update around May 1, 2018 as they are not taking any reservations at this time

Deaths in 2017 – 2.4% of deaths or injuries per 10,000 pets flown on United Airlines

Phone Number – 1-800-575-3335

 

United Airlines Pet Policy Cabin – Can You Fly With Your Pet In The Cabin?

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United Airlines Pet Policy cabin information states that the policies are only for United and United Express flights only. This means, if you are connecting with another flight other than United or United Express, you would need to check to see what the policies are for your connecting flight.

United Airlines Pet Policy cabin information explains that dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds are allowed on cabin flights, except for Cockatoos, not sure why they restrict the Cockatoo but that is their policy. United’s policy states that all animals must be at least 8 weeks old and has to be accompanied in order to be transferred in the cabin; however the policy does include that the pet cannot be accompanied by a minor.

While gathering all my research to bring you different reviews on various airlines I found that many airlines have restriction on weight for pets traveling in the cabin of the airlines. I did not find any information about the weight restriction in United Airlines Pet Policy cabin information that I have researched. I think it would depend on the size of your pet and if he/she will fit in a kennel within United’s guidelines on kennel size for traveling in the cabin.

Other regulations or restrictions that United specifies include, sitting in an emergency row exit or in the bulkhead with your pet is prohibited, and depending on the type of aircraft you are flying, premium cabin flights may be out due to limited space storage space under the seat. Limited storage space may also affect where you are allowed to set, depending on the type of aircraft, a window seat may be the only way you can go.

 

Size And Type Of Kennel Required For In Cabin Flights

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When flying United and most other airlines, states you must keep your pet in the kennel and all times while in the boarding area and on the aircraft, this must explain why they are not allowed oxygen service in case of an emergency. I feel it would be hard to get the mask through the kennel. Sorry, I said I was going to try to be unbiased but that struck a nerve, I am afraid I would be opening the kennel and sharing my oxygen with my dog if it is needed.

When picking out a kennel for your flight there are two options, either a hard sided kennel or a soft sided kennel that is allowed on United’s flights. The hard side kennel requirements are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches. The dimensions for soft-sided kennels are larger as they are easier to stuff under a seat and can be up to 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high.

United only allows 1 animal per kennel, except for birds; however, I do not see how you can fit more than one pet in such a small kennel in the first place, or why one would try. United airlines states that the animal must be able to stand up and turn around in the kennel comfortably, so all my dogs are out trying to fly in the cabin at United.

 

Checking Your Pet For In Cabin Flights

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United airlines does require advanced resrvations for flying with your pet, as they have limits depending on the type of aircraft of how many pets can travel. Do not try to just show up with your pet as they only allow 2-4 pets per flight, and expect for them to allow your pet aboard the flight.

After getting a reservation in advance, you will need to check your pet in at the counter and pay the fees for traveling with your pet as they do require the fees paid before the flight. One important new regulation they are staring April 24, 2018 is the kennel will need to have a bright yellow colored label identifying that it does in fact contain an animal due to the death of the puppy in March 2018.

 

United Airline Cargo Pets

 

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United Airline cargo pets policy shows that United has a special program called PetSafe available for when you cannot accompany your pet on an in cabin flight, or your pet, like mine, is too large and does not fit the requirements of traveling in the cabin.

This PetSafe program flies your pet from location to location; however, there is a good chance that your pet will not be on the same flight that you are taking. I am not sure I like the idea of my pet traveling on a different flight. The PetSafe program does offer 24 hour pet desk; which, would help if not traveling on the same flight, and PetSafe boasts about you having the ability to track your pet from the time you drop your pet off, till you reconnect with your pet as you would a package online.

 

Requirements For Flying Your Pet Through PetSafe

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At this time the PetSafe is not accepting pets until United decides what the new regulations for flying pets will be it is supposed to relaunch June 18, 2018 and at that time I will update this area.

Some of the new policies will include but are not definite at this time:

Only flying dogs and cats

Kennels over 30 inches in height will be ban as dogs and cats will only be allowed in the cargo area of the plane.

Banning any snub-nosed and strong jawed dogs and 4 species of cats due to difficulty in breathing on planes.

Claiming all regulation changes are due to the safety of the animals

Animals are banned from flying in warm weather months from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Palm Springs

 

 

When flying your pet as cargo through United’s PetSafe program there are many requirements to be aware of that includes, connection times, health certificates, required checklist, and appropriate kennels.

If your pet happens to have a connecting flight and is flying only in the US, it is required by United’s PetSafe program that there is a minimum of one-hour between flights. I feel that a bit longer might be better as you never know if the flights will be running on time; however, you would not want it to be too long depending on how far your pet is traveling as they remain in the kennel during this time.

United’s Pet Safe program and most other airlines require a health certificate issued by a veterinarian in order for your pet to make the flight. The health certificate must be dated within 10 days prior to the flight or it makes the health certificate invalid for flying your pet. On a return flight from your destination, again the health certificate must not be dated prior to 10 days of the returning flight, or you will need to make sure you have a veterinarian scheduled for a new health certificate in order to fly your pet home.

When you are checking in your pet through United’s PetSafe, the attendant is required to go through and complete a checklist before ever allowing your pet on the flight. I have created a link to the checklist here for your convenience so there are no surprises when you get to the counter.

United Airlines PetSafe Check List

United’s PetSafe provides extensive information on the type of kennel and sizing of the kennel that they accept on their flights. Kennels must meet all guidelines and make sure they comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. I found it would be best for you to look over the requirement so I have linked the kennel regulation information for you below.

Kennel Type And Size

 

 

Checking Your Pet Through United’s PetSafe Program

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Most airports flying United require you to check your pet at the cargo area and have an attendant ready to check in your pet. It is required that your pet must be checked in 2 hours prior to your pets flight within the US for most airports. United’s PetSafe ask that you make sure to allow an additional half hour to make sure your pet makes their flight timely. After checking out the checklist that the attendant has to complete it might be wise to show up even earlier to make sure everything is correct and ready to go.

 

 

What Are The Odds Of Your Pet Surviving The Flight?

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Just this last week there was an incident with United Airlines where the flight attendant made the owner of a Frenchie put the dog in an overhead bin on a united flight, which resulted in the death of the little dog. Dogs with short snouts have problems getting enough airflow and by putting the little dog in the overhead caused the poor little dog to suffocate, the flight attendant is saying she did not realize there was a dog in the kennel and now United is changing its pet policy starting in April 2018 to include bright color tags to be put on kennels transporting pets. From what I understand there have been 18 animal death incidents in the past year alone from United and 6 from the other airlines combined.

Another incident happened the same week with a family moving from Oregon the Kansas and there was a mix up between two dogs, one going to Kansas and one going to Japan, when the family went to pick up their dog at the cargo area they found that there had been a mix up and their dog was on its way to Japan. My heart would have dropped at that point not knowing how my baby would survive that flight as it had to go on a separate flight than the one they were on.

Even though no one wants to lose their pet or have an injured pet from flying, the odds according to Department of Transportation, result in 2.4% of deaths or injuries per 10,000 pets flown on United Airlines. I would say those are not horrible odds; however, it is up to you to decide if you want to take the chance. Personally, I choose to drive with my pet but know not everyone always has that opportunity. With that said, it now leaves us wondering what the odds might be for transporting a pet in a car.

 

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