Families flying with small cats or dogs should have no problems flying with the animals on Southwest Airlines provided they comply with the policies of the airline regarding fees, size of the carrier, and booking. According to the pet policy of Southwest Airlines, the airline accepts small domestic cats and dogs vaccinated for traveling in the cabin but does not allow pets in the cargo baggage. Everything you need to know about traveling with your pet will be discussed in the text below.
Do Southwest Airlines Accept Pets?
Yes. Southwest Airlines accepts small domestic cats and dogs vaccinated for traveling in the cabin with its owners on the domestic routes within the continental United States. The animal must travel in an approved carrier and be placed under your seat throughout the flight. Pets are not transported in the cargo hold of the airplane by the airline, meaning bigger animals will not be accepted for air travel with Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines Pet Fee
The Pet Fare on Southwest Airlines is about $125 per pet carrier for a one-way trip to any point in the continental United States. The pet fare includes one pet carrier that may hold two pets of the same type (for instance, two small cats or two small dogs). It should be paid right at the airport counter using a credit card; the use of Southwest gift cards, flight credits, and LUV vouchers for paying the pet fare is not allowed. If your trip is cancelled, then you get the pet fare money back.
If your destination is limited to flights between Hawaiian islands, then the pet fare will be about $35 per pet carrier for a one-way trip. Pets are not allowed on flights from/to the Hawaiian Islands and U.S. mainland because of stringent quarantine laws in Hawaii.
Pet Carrier Size and Requirement
The carrier that you will be using has to fit wholly beneath the seat before you and should be considered as your personal or carry-on luggage; you can’t have additional luggage besides the carrier, particularly when there isn’t sufficient room. Although there may be slight variances from one aircraft to another regarding the dimensions, it is generally known that a maximum dimension of the carrier on Southwest is about 18.5″ x 8.5″ x 13.5″. Both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers are allowed if they meet the following qualifications:
- They are waterproof and well-ventilated
- Provide adequate room for the pet to stand, turn around and lie down
- Are able to fit snugly under the seat without obstructing the aisle
Since the size restrictions of the carrier determine the seating, it is advisable to come to the airport earlier or book the Early Bird Check-In service.
How Many Pets Can Travel on Southwest Airlines Per Flight?
Each individual flight at Southwest can accommodate only six pets, and all reservations are taken on first-come-first-served terms. An individual passenger can carry only one pet carrier having up to two pets of the same type. As it is necessary to reserve some space, it is recommended to make a pet reservation during booking of your flight.
How to Reserve a Pet on Southwest Airlines
As opposed to booking seats, pets can’t be reserved online. In order to make a reservation of pets for your flight:
- Dial Southwest reservations office at 800-I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792).
- Confirm availability of pet carrier space in your route and dates of travel.
- Check-in with your pet in person at the ticket counter in the airport, online and curbside check-ins aren’t allowed for pets.
- Make payment of Pet Fare via credit card at the ticket counter.
Make sure you come to the airport with enough time as you need to complete the pet check-in procedure at the ticket counter before entering the security area.
Age, Health, and Vaccinations
The age requirement for taking pets in flight is 8 weeks. The airline does not normally require proof of vaccination when moving from one point to another in the continental U.S. However, pets should be healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations. For travel to Puerto Rico, an interstate health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian may be needed since Puerto Rico requires its own animal entry criteria.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
When flying on Southwest Airlines, service animals are treated differently from pets. Service dogs, which are trained, do not incur any fees when they fly and are not required to be placed in carriers. They can rest at the feet of their owners or on their laps if they are small enough. For some cases, the airline may ask for a DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to be filled 48 hours before the trip.
However, emotional support animals cannot be considered service animals following the Department of Transportation regulation implemented in 2021. Thus, on Southwest, ESAs will follow the regular pet policy.
Where Pets Are Not Allowed on Southwest?
While Southwest does accommodate many pets, there are certain destinations and types of travel for which pets are not allowed. The knowledge of these restrictions beforehand will prevent unnecessary stress at the airport.
- International Flights: Southwest’s pet policies apply to domestic flights in the United States and not international flights.
- Domestic flights to/from Hawaii (through a mainland connection): Pets cannot travel on these flights because of Hawaii quarantine laws but pets are allowed to fly between islands of Hawaii.
- Pets as checked luggage or as cargo: Southwest does not provide cargo services of pets under any circumstances.
If you choose to bring your pet on Southwest, plan for a domestic cabin flight, as any other option will not be possible on Southwest flights.
Conclusion
Overall, flying with pets with Southwest Airlines is quite easy if you prepare in advance. This airline makes everything convenient for its passengers since small and vaccinated cats and dogs are able to fly in the cabin of the airplane for approximately $125 each way if they remain in the special approved carrier during the whole flight. As only six such carriers can be booked for every flight and this booking can’t be done through the Southwest Website, the main thing you should do before the flight is making reservations for your pet.
One should remember that Southwest’s policy concerning pets has certain limits: pets can’t be transported either internationally or from the mainland to Hawaii, and they also can’t be transported in the cargo section. As for service animals, they don’t need to pay for the flight, but emotional support animals are still considered pets.
FAQs
Yes, Southwest accepts domestic, small, vaccinated dogs and cats in the cabin on flights within the United States, provided they stay inside an approved carrier during the whole flight.
The Pet Fare costs around $125 each way for flights to the mainland of the US and $35 each way for travel between the Hawaiian Islands. The payment can be made by credit card at the airport counter.
No, pets reservations can only be booked via phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA once you booked your flight since the airline does not provide such service online. You will still have to check-in at the airport counter before your flight.
No, since 2021 the airline stopped recognizing emotional support animals as service animals. Therefore, they should be handled like any other pets.
No. Since Hawaii has pet quarantine requirements, no pets are allowed to travel from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii on Southwest Airlines. Pets can be transported only within the Hawaiian Islands.