Southwest Airlines is the world’s largest low-cost air carrier. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Southwest serves more than 121 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. The airline welcomes dogs and cats to travel with you in the cabin on a limited first-come, first-served basis for an additional fee of $95 each way.
If you’re planning to fly with your pet on Southwest Airlines, here are some important up-to-date policies that you’ll need to know. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can help you and Fido have a seamless journey.
The Booking Process
Pets traveling in the cabin with Southwest Airlines must be booked over the phone. When planning to travel with a cat or small dog, you’ll need to first verify that the flight you’re taking allows pets, and then book your own flight. Once your booking is confirmed, call Southwest customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to add your pet to your reservation. The airline representative will ask for your pet’s name, breed and weight. Only six pet carriers are allowed on board each Southwest flight, so be sure to book your travel as early as possible to guarantee your furry friend a spot. You’ll pay the additional pet fee when you arrive at the airport to check in for your flight.
Carrier
Pets must be able to stand up and move around inside the carrier with ease, and your pet’s carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Pet carrier requirements:
A Southwest Airlines® Pet Carrier with the dimensions of 17” (L) x 10” (W) x 9.5” (H) is always permitted.
Other pet carriers are allowed with the maximum dimensions of 18.5” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 9.5” (H).
All kennels must be specifically designed as pet carriers, but can be soft- or hard-sided.
All pet carriers must be leak-proof and well-ventilated.
Your cat or dog must be secured in the pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and for the entire flight. If you don't follow this requirement, your pet may be denied transportation by Southwest.
Pet carriers count as either a traveler’s personal item or carry-on item. You may board the aircraft with either a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a regular-size carry-on bag, but not all three.
Check-In
Because you can't pay the pet fee in advance, you won’t be able to check in to your flight more than four hours prior to departure. Southwest suggests arriving at least two hours but no more than four hours before your scheduled flight if you’re traveling with your pet. This will give you plenty of time to check in, pay the pet fee, go through security, and find a pet relief area at the airport.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need to head to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter to check in with your cat or dog. At check-in, a Southwest agent will ensure your pet and carrier/kennel meets the necessary requirements for your trip and collect the required one-way pet fee. Remember to allow extra time at check-in to ensure your pet is ready for take-off.
Once you and your pet are checked in and have your cabin pet tag, you are ready to go to the security checkpoint. At the checkpoint, you will need to take your cat or dog out of its carrier to walk through the screening device while the carrier is x-rayed. Your pet must remain in the carrier in the airport apart from at the security checkpoint and designated relief areas.
Although pets must be vaccinated to fly, documentation is not required from Southwest Airlines. Save time and stress at the airport by creating your pet profile on BringFido’s website or mobile app for iOS or Android. You can upload your pup’s health records for one-touch access whenever you need them.
Southwest Airlines’ Pet Policy
Southwest Airlines welcomes small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs older than eight weeks of age to travel in the cabin for an additional fee. For pet owners traveling to Puerto Rico, specific requirements may apply. Southwest does not accept pets on flights to or from Hawaii; however, they are allowed on flights between Hawaiian islands. Carriers must be stowed under the seat in front of you, and pets must remain in their carrier at all times during the flight. With the exception of trained service animals, only cats and dogs are permitted on board.
Carry-On Pets
Pets are welcome to fly with you in the cabin if they are at least eight weeks old when traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico. They must be small enough to fit comfortably in an approved, ventilated pet carrier that must be stowed under the seat in front of you. Each ticketed customer is permitted to travel with only one pet carrier. Each pet carrier can contain no more than two of the same species of a small cat or dog. The Southwest Airlines Pet Fare for carrying on a pet in the cabin is $95 each way. For customers traveling between the Hawaiian Islands from September 6 through June 30, 2023, the Pet Fare is $35 each way per pet carrier. There is no charge for service animals.
Pets in Cargo
Southwest Airlines does not permit pets to fly in cargo or as checked baggage. Pertaining to all airlines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a temporary suspension of dogs (carry-on or checked), including fully-trained service dogs, traveling to the U.S. from a country considered high-risk for dog rabies.
For more information about Southwest Airlines’ pet policy, restrictions and guidelines, check our Southwest Airlines travel page. For flights outside of the U.S., visit our International Pet Travel Page for information on restrictions and documentation.