Carrying your pet in the air does not come easily, and Southwest Airlines is among the most accommodating airlines in the U.S. to your pet if it meets the required criteria. Southwest Airlines allows small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin during domestic flights; allows up to two pets to accompany each flying individual; and limits the number of pets to be flown in each flight to a maximum of six pets. It observes DOT and ACAA regulations, where individuals have the right to carry their trained service animals free of charge in the cabin without being charged a carrier fee, but this does not apply to pets and ESAs.
This article gives comprehensive information about the process of booking and traveling with pets and other animals on Southwest Airlines flights.
What Is Southwest Airlines’ Pet Policy?
Southwest’s pet policy revolves around one very easy principle: small and vaccinated pets can travel domestically in the cabin area inside an appropriate carrier throughout the whole flight. Southwest Airlines does not provide its pets with a cargo area; therefore, if you have a pet that is too big to fit underneath the seat in front of you, Southwest is not the right choice for you – you will have to find an airline that provides its pets with such a possibility.
Every passenger who buys a ticket to fly on this airline may take one pet carrier on board, but two pets of the same species, which can comfortably fit into the same carrier, are allowed to travel in one carrier. Every pet should be at least eight weeks old and vaccinated. There are no pets traveling with unaccompanied minors, and there are no more than six pet carriers allowed on one flight.
There is no special category of emotional support animals on Southwest. If you want to fly with an ESA, your animal is treated the same way as any other pet, which means that all the requirements concerning fees, carriers, and space will apply to you.
What Types of Pets Does Southwest Airlines Allow?
However, the pets allowed by Southwest Airlines only include domesticated dogs and cats. This is because both species are allowed on all eligible domestic routes if they satisfy the age, vaccinations, and carrier specifications set out by Southwest. Exotic pets like birds, reptiles, and other creatures cannot be allowed as pets during travel through Southwest Airlines. In case you are traveling with any other creature other than a dog or a cat, then it will be better if you can confirm that with Southwest Airlines first.
Does Southwest Airlines Allow Dogs?
Yes, small dogs are allowed in the cabin of the airplane for domestic Southwest flights as well as those to/from Puerto Rico and within the Hawaiian Islands. They have to be at least two months old, vaccinated, and put in the approved carrier during the entire trip. Southwest Airlines does not have any breed limitations, but the company retains the right to refuse the dog’s transportation because of aggression or ill health. As for the large dogs, there is no additional provision for them: if the dog cannot be easily accommodated in the approved carrier, the cabin-only requirement is impossible to satisfy.
Does Southwest Airlines Allow Cats?
Yes, cats may be accepted according to the same core regulations. They have to be at least eight weeks old, vaccinated, and kept in the carrier all the time during the trip. There are no breed limitations for cats, although, as in the case of dogs, Southwest Airlines may refuse transportation if the cat is in poor condition or aggressive.
Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets for International Travel?
No. Southwest does not allow pets, which include ESAs, onboard their international flights or itineraries. Only trained service animals are allowed onboard Southwest’s international flights, as required by the ACAA. Should your itinerary include an international flight segment, your dog or cat will be required to travel with a carrier that provides international pet transportation.
Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets in Cargo?
No. Southwest does not provide cargo or checked baggage services for pets under any conditions. All pets allowed to travel with Southwest Airlines are required to do so inside an approved carrier and accompany the owner within the aircraft’s cabin. This is one of the most restrictive elements of Southwest Airlines’ policies compared to other airlines providing cargo hold services for larger pets; in case your pet fails to qualify for in-cabin travel with Southwest Airlines, it just won’t be able to travel with this airline.
Does Southwest Airlines Restrict Pet Travel for Specific Destinations?
Yes. The airline does not permit any pets on board its flights to or from Hawaii; you must keep this in mind when making arrangements for your trip. On the other hand, Southwest permits pet transport on its flights between the islands of Hawaii at a reduced rate. Puerto Rico, however, is treated separately since pets can be transported there and from there according to the usual rules of the airline.
How Much Does Southwest Airlines Charge for Pet Travel?
Southwest Airlines will charge a pet fee of $125 one way for traveling in-cabin within the continental United States. The fee reduces to $35 per carrier for inter-island flights within Hawaii. In addition to the airfare, the fee will be charged on a one-way basis, meaning that you will have to pay it twice when you fly back in a round-trip. The pet fee is paid at the airport ticket counter at the time of check-in. It is refundable in case of a flight cancellation. It cannot be transferred to another pet or person.
Since the pet space in a single aircraft is limited to six carriers and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, it is better to call ahead on 1-800-I-FLY-SWA once you fix your travel dates.
What Is the In-Cabin Pet Policy for Southwest Airlines?
The in-flight policy for pets aboard Southwest Airlines states that one approved carrier will be allowed for each ticket holder and will be kept on the floor underneath the seat ahead of you throughout the duration of the flight. These pets will not be allowed to ride on passengers’ laps, move around in the aircraft cabin, or come out of their carriers during the whole boarding, taxiing, takeoff, landing, and flight process.
The in-flight pet policy for Southwest Airlines does not have any breed restrictions, but an age restriction of 8 weeks for the pets. Because the seats on the airline are limited, along with the amount of space in front of the seat for carrying the carrier of the pet, early check-in and getting a middle seat are recommended.
What Is the Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier Size Policy?
Southwest Airlines is very particular about the size of the carrier,r as the pet has to fit under the seat in front of the traveler. The carrier from Southwest Airlines itself has dimensions of 17″ x 10″ x 9.5″, and other carriers that qualify for use should not exceed dimensions of 18.5″ x 13.5″ x 9.5″. Both soft-sided and hard-sided carriers are allowed, but should be of a waterproof and ventilated nature, allowing sufficient space for the animal to move around.
In case one is uncertain about the suitability of his/her pet carrier, it would be wise to check the underseat space of the particular model of the aircraft.
Is There a Weight Limit for Pets Traveling In-Cabin on Southwest?
The airline does not specify the maximum weight limit of pets that can travel in-cabin on Southwest Airlines flights. The actual restriction is the carrier size requirement; the sum of your pet and its carrier should be able to fit under the seat. As a rule of thumb, the majority of pets that fit into approved carrier sizes weigh in the range of 15–20 pounds. Pets weighing more than that will hardly fit the available carrier sizes.
Can You Bring More Than One Pet In-Cabin on Southwest?
Yes. You may bring your two pets in-cabin if they share one carrier. One pet carrier per ticketed passenger is allowed by the airline’s policy. Moreover, this carrier can contain up to two pets of the same breed as long as they fit and can move around in the carrier. Thus, you may bring two pets in-cabin but not two carriers.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed In-Cabin on Southwest?
No – definitely not as ESAs. As of January 2021, when the DOT changed its regulations on the Air Carrier Access Act, U.S. airlines, such as Southwest, are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals separately from regular pets. In the case of Southwest, an emotional support animal has exactly the same size, fee, and carrier requirements as any other pet covered by this policy. No special documentation procedure applies to ESAs, no exemptions from the carrier size requirements exist, and no waived fees are allowed either.
It’s important to keep in mind this particular difference before booking a flight: an ESA letter that will qualify you for accommodation under the Fair Housing Act does not have any value with airlines after January 2021. In case you have used an ESA letter mostly for flying purposes, you might want to reconsider your expectations, and the ESA Clinic is glad to help you to consult a licensed mental health professional to determine what type of documentation (ESA letter or PSD assessment) works for you.
What Is the Southwest Airlines Policy for Service Animals?
The policy of Southwest for service animals is quite different and much more flexible when compared to the policy for pets. It says that all fully trained service dogs can travel free of charge, do not need a carrier, and have no limitations in terms of size and fees that exist for other pets and ESAs. All that is required by the ACAA and DOT should be followed by all airlines.
First of all, it is worth mentioning that the policy regarding the service animals of Southwest does not apply to ESAs and service animals that are still being trained. Only those service animals that are individually trained for certain tasks are allowed. Service animals should also behave themselves properly and be on a harness, leash, or tether at all times during the flight.
How Can I Add a Service Animal to a Southwest Airlines Flight?
Taking a service animal aboard a Southwest Airlines aircraft is fairly easy:
- Determine eligibility. Southwest Airlines accepts only dogs that have been fully trained for their role – not ESAs and not animals in training.
- Fill out the DOT form. DOT is an abbreviation of Department of Transportation, which is a government organization that uses its form for proving a dog’s qualification as a service animal.
- Provide proper documentation. This form proves that the animal has been trained to assist you because of your disability, that it has received all necessary vaccinations, and that it can be controlled in a public environment.
- Submit the filled-in form before traveling. You can show the filled-in form to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or boarding gate.
It is completely up to the handler how he manages his service dog, but the dog must remain leashed/harnessed and under control during all of the flight – it shouldn’t defecate or cause disturbance to the other passengers.
Do You Need to Notify Southwest in Advance When Flying With a Service Dog?
Not all advance notice is necessarily needed, but highly recommended. According to DOT requirements, airlines are to attempt accommodating a passenger with a service animal even in the absence of prior notification, but this may create a small chance of possible problems at the gate. The easiest way to accomplish this is by noting the presence of a service animal at the time of booking, either through the website or by contacting Southwest Airlines. The animal does not need any health certification as it goes inside the aircraft cabin.
Do Service Dogs Fly Free With Southwest Airlines?
Yes. According to the DOT, airlines like Southwest cannot impose charges on service animals. This is among the major differences between service animals and pets/ESAs on Southwest, as the latter incur the usual $125 ($35 interisland) charge, while a genuine service animal does not require extra costs.
Are There Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs on Southwest?
No. In contrast to the airline’s general pet policy – which, while officially having no breed restriction, does have a strict size restriction imposed through the carrier rule – there are no such restrictions for Southwest’s service animal policy. This is a mandatory condition of the Air Carrier Access Act: an airline is required to allow any breeds and sizes of service dogs, as long as they are well-behaved and well-trained.
Can You Bring More Than One Service Dog on a Southwest Flight?
Yes. According to Southwest, a passenger can travel with multiple service animals, as long as they are well-trained to assist with a specific disability-related task of the passenger. Similar to a single service dog, each of these dogs is required to stay leashed/harnessed/tethered and under complete control of the handler.
Are There Size Restrictions for Flying With a Service Dog on Southwest?
Not necessarily. The ACAA stipulates that Southwest Airlines must allow for any-sized service animal, and there’s no upper weight or height restriction, as there is when it comes to pets that are kept in their carriers. Practically speaking, any service dog is either going to be in the footroom area of the handler or, if it’s small enough (similar to a baby under two years old), sitting on the lap of the handler.
Tips for a Smooth Flight With Your Pet on Southwest
Some useful tricks will help avoid getting stressed at the airport:
- Get your pet booked early. With only six carriers per flight, it’s best not to risk missing one at the last minute due to a shortage of carriers available.
- Check the clearance of your carrier before loading it. The size of the space under a seat can differ depending on the type of airplane and the row number, so better to make sure that everything is fine beforehand.
- Pick the right seat. Usually, a middle seat is the one with the maximum clearance for a carrier, while window and aisle seats are limited to a certain extent depending on the model of the airplane.
- Be ready to show vaccination documents, even though you do not need to present them at check-in. It might be required for some flights and destinations.
- Don’t choose an exit row. According to the federal safety regulations, carriers and most service animals cannot sit in the exit rows of an airplane.
- Carry something familiar that will make your pet more comfortable. It may include a small towel or the pet’s owner’s clothes.
Planning Your Trip With a Pet, ESA, or Service Animal
Whether you are traveling by Southwest with your pet dog, emotional support animal, or trained service animal, it is your animal’s status that decides almost everything, including the price of the ticket, the carrier requirements, and where your companion animal can be seated in the aircraft. For Southwest Airlines, there is no difference between pets and ESAs in terms of how they have to be transported: both need an approved carrier, both will cost you $125 each way, and both do not guarantee access beyond the six-carrier per flight limit. Only individually trained service animals are exempt from any fees and restrictions.
If the legal status of your animal affects your travel plans, it may be wise to clarify things with a licensed specialist beforehand. For instance, if your pet dog could potentially serve as a psychiatric service dog but not as an ESA, you need to make sure about it to save the extra cost of the ticket. At ESA Clinic, you will have an opportunity to connect with licensed mental health specialists to clarify your case, regardless of whether you need an ESA letter for housing or assistance in psychiatric service dog certification.
Get the Right Documentation Before You Travel
The guidelines for ESAs flying in planes were updated in 2021; however, the housing regulations of ESAs are still very well protected in most parts of the United States. In case your main objective is to obtain an ESA letter for reasonable housing accommodations, not for traveling by plane, then the ESA Clinic will help you with obtaining a proper letter from a licensed mental health professional, even if it will not work with Southwest Airlines.
