Southwest Airlines Pet Policy

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 67 views

Introduction

Traveling with pets can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to airline policies. Southwest Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the United States, and many pet owners wonder how strict the airline is with its pet policy. In this article, we will delve into the details of Southwest's pet policy, including the types of pets allowed, the fees associated with traveling with pets, and the requirements for pet carriers.

Types of Pets Allowed

Southwest Airlines allows only small cats and dogs in the cabin, with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. This means that larger dogs and other types of pets, such as birds, rabbits, and reptiles, are not permitted in the cabin. However, Southwest does offer a pet cargo service for larger pets, which we will discuss later in this article.

Pet Carrier Requirements

Pets must stay in an airline-approved carrier under the seat in front of you. The carrier must be soft-sided and meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. The carrier must also be large enough to provide your pet with enough space to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Southwest recommends using a carrier that is 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches tall.

Fees Associated with Traveling with Pets

There is a $95 fee per flight for traveling with a pet in the cabin. This fee is non-refundable and applies to each one-way flight. If you are traveling with multiple pets, you will need to pay the fee for each pet.

Space Limitations

Space is limited to 6 pets per flight, and pets are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that if you want to travel with your pet, you should book your flight as early as possible to ensure that there is space available.

Pet Cargo Service

If you have a larger pet that does not fit in the cabin, you can use Southwest's pet cargo service. This service allows you to transport your pet in the cargo hold of the plane. The pet cargo service is available on most Southwest flights, but it is not available on international flights.

Requirements for Pet Cargo

To use the pet cargo service, you will need to meet the following requirements:

Your pet must be in an IATA-approved carrier.
Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
Your pet must be healthy and able to travel.
You must provide a health certificate for your pet within 10 days of travel.
You must provide a copy of your pet's vaccination records.

Fees Associated with Pet Cargo

The fee for pet cargo is $125 per flight, plus a $50 handling fee. This fee is non-refundable and applies to each one-way flight.

Traveling with Service Animals

Southwest Airlines allows service animals to travel in the cabin with their owners. Service animals are defined as dogs that are trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability. To travel with a service animal, you will need to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the need for the service animal.

Traveling with Emotional Support Animals

Southwest Airlines allows emotional support animals to travel in the cabin with their owners. Emotional support animals are defined as animals that provide comfort and emotional support to their owners. To travel with an emotional support animal, you will need to provide a letter from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the need for the emotional support animal.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines has a strict pet policy, but it is designed to ensure the safety and comfort of both humans and animals. By understanding the requirements for traveling with pets, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable flight for both you and your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I travel with my pet in the cabin if I have a larger pet? A: No, Southwest Airlines only allows small cats and dogs in the cabin, with a maximum weight of 20 pounds.
Q: What is the fee for traveling with a pet in the cabin? A: The fee is $95 per flight, plus a $50 handling fee for pet cargo.
Q: Can I travel with my service animal? A: Yes, Southwest Airlines allows service animals to travel in the cabin with their owners.
Q: Can I travel with my emotional support animal? A: Yes, Southwest Airlines allows emotional support animals to travel in the cabin with their owners.

Resources

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy: www.southwest.com/pet-policy
IATA Pet Carrier Requirements: www.iata.org/pet-carrier-requirements
Service Animal Documentation: www.serviceanimalregistry.com
Emotional Support Animal Letter: www.emotionalsupportanimalletter.com
Southwest Airlines Pet Policy: A Comprehensive Q&A Guide =====================================================

Introduction

Traveling with pets can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to airline policies. Southwest Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the United States, and many pet owners wonder about the airline's pet policy. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive Q&A guide to help you understand Southwest's pet policy and ensure a smooth and enjoyable flight for both you and your pet.

Q&A: Traveling with Pets in the Cabin

Q: Can I travel with my pet in the cabin? A: Yes, Southwest Airlines allows small cats and dogs in the cabin, with a maximum weight of 20 pounds.
Q: What is the fee for traveling with a pet in the cabin? A: The fee is $95 per flight, plus a $50 handling fee for pet cargo.
Q: Do I need to book a separate seat for my pet? A: No, your pet will need to stay in an airline-approved carrier under the seat in front of you.
Q: Can I travel with multiple pets in the cabin? A: Yes, but space is limited to 6 pets per flight, and pets are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Can I bring my pet's favorite toy or blanket on the flight? A: Yes, but it must fit in the pet carrier with your pet.

Q&A: Pet Carrier Requirements

Q: What type of carrier is required for my pet? A: Your pet must stay in an airline-approved, soft-sided carrier that meets the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.
Q: How big does the carrier need to be? A: The carrier must be large enough to provide your pet with enough space to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Q: Can I use a hard-sided carrier? A: No, Southwest Airlines only allows soft-sided carriers.
Q: Can I use a carrier that is not IATA-approved? A: No, your pet must stay in an IATA-approved carrier.

Q&A: Pet Cargo Service

Q: Can I use Southwest's pet cargo service? A: Yes, if you have a larger pet that does not fit in the cabin.
Q: What is the fee for pet cargo? A: The fee is $125 per flight, plus a $50 handling fee.
Q: Do I need to book a separate seat for my pet in cargo? A: No, your pet will be transported in the cargo hold of the plane.
Q: Can I travel with my pet in cargo if I have a service animal? A: Yes, but you will need to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the need for the service animal.

Q&A: Service Animals

Q: Can I travel with my service animal? A: Yes, Southwest Airlines allows service animals to travel in the cabin with their owners.
Q: What is a service animal? A: A service animal is a dog that is trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability.
Q: Do I need to provide documentation for my service animal? A: Yes, you will need to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the need for the service animal.

Q&A: Emotional Support Animals

Q: Can I travel with my emotional support animal? A: Yes, Southwest Airlines allows emotional support animals to travel in the cabin with their owners.
Q: What is an emotional support animal? A: An emotional support animal is an animal that provides comfort and emotional support to its owner.
Q: Do I need to provide documentation for my emotional support animal? A: Yes, you will need to provide a letter from a licensed healthcare professional that explains the need for the emotional support animal.

Q&A: Traveling with Pets Internationally

Q: Can I travel with my pet internationally on Southwest Airlines? A: No, Southwest Airlines does not offer international flights.
Q: Can I travel with my pet on a connecting flight? A: Yes, but you will need to check with the airline that operates the connecting flight to see if they allow pets in the cabin or cargo.

Conclusion

Traveling with pets can be a complex process, but with the right information, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable flight for both you and your pet. We hope this Q&A guide has helped you understand Southwest's pet policy and answered any questions you may have had.