Southwest Airlines Pet Policy for Dogs and Cats

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Southwest Airlines allows guests to fly with their pets under the Southwest Airlines pet policy. With the help of the points below, you will get all the information about the Southwest pet travel policy. 

• Southwest Airlines permits small domestic cats and dogs to travel in cabin class alongside their owners.
• If you book an international ticket, airlines will not accept pets in the cabin class.
• If you want to travel with your pet, you must notify the airline 15 days before the scheduled departure.
• The airline accepts up to six pets each flight.
• The pet reservation is on a first come, first served basis.
• You will be charged for pets, depending on your pet reservation, such as cabin or cargo class.

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy 

• Pets must always travel in their carrier. During the flight, pets travel from the gate area through.  
• Each ticketed passenger is permitted one pet carrier. Two pets of the same species may travel in the same carrier at a time. 
• Each passenger is limited to six pet carriers. Depending on the actual flight, this number may be greater or lower. Pets are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis until all available seats have been filled. 
• Pets must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably within the carrier. 

Pets Allowed on Southwest Airlines

As per the Southwest Airlines pet policy, only small dogs & cats are eligible to fly on Southwest Airlines. Due to safety reasons, airlines do not accept pets on international flights. If your pet is too heavy and unable to meet the cabin class requirements, you will need to contact the airline officials. 

Service Animals Allowed on Southwest Airlines

According to flying with a dog Southwest Airlines policy, only dogs are eligible to travel as a service animals. To travel with a service dog, you must submit some documentation and meet certain conditions. You cannot share your pet carrier with another pet. You can buy an extra seat for your service animals. When flying with a dog on Southwest Airlines, keep in mind that your pet should have completed its training. If your dog does not finish the entire training session, the airline will not accept it as a service dog. To make a service dog reservation, you must contact an airline official. 

Restrictions for Pets on Southwest Airlines Flight 

• Southwest Airlines does not allow pets (cats or dogs) to accompany customers on flights. 
• Pets are not authorized to accompany unaccompanied youngsters on flights. 
• Pets are not permitted on international flights or on any that includes an overseas trip. 
• Southwest Airlines dog policy will only transport dogs in the cabin; pets are not permitted as checked baggage.  
• However, sometimes, circumstances may allow for fewer than six pet carriers per planned trip. 
• Cats and dogs must be at least eight weeks old to travel.  
• The animals must be safe, non-disturbed, unscented, and require no attention during the flight. 

When you’re travelling with a portable oxygen concentrator or trained service animal, the non-refundable ticket has an extra seat if it’s necessary. 

• Southwest Airlines is not flexible if a client misses a flight due to some urgent reason and gets a dog to an outside relieving location. Flights will not be delayed or held to allow connecting customers to transport a pet to an animal with a relief facility. 
• In the case of an emergency, an oxygen mask for the cat or dog may not be provided.  
• Southwest Airlines takes no obligation for the health or well-being of carry-on pets. 

Points to remember for Pets 

• Vaccinated small domestic cats and dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin with passengers as long as their container fits beneath your seat. 
• The pet price must be paid at the airport ticket counter. 
• All pet carriers will be searched.
• Pets must be carried by their owners through the screening gadget while the pet carrier is X-rayed. 

Pets are not permitted to fly in cargo. 

• Pets must be at least 2 months or 8 weeks old before embarking on any type of travel. 
• Airlines do not want documents, but pets must be vaccinated. 
• Pets that have rough behavior, such as scratching, biting, or excessive sniffing, may be denied boarding. 

Southwest Airline Pet Fees

Southwest Airlines charges $95 one-way for each pet carrier. The good news is that pet tickets are refundable, which means you'll get your money back if your plans change or your trip is cancelled. 

You must pay the pet charge with a credit card since you cannot use a Southwest card, gift card, airline credit, or LUV voucher as payment for a pet fee. 

Pet Bookings and Reservations on Southwest Airlines 

• Passengers flying with a dog on Southwest Airlines must make a reservation in advance of the number of seats available.
• Pet travel costs $95 for each trip per pet carrier. 
• If you want to cancel your reservation or if your flight is cancelled, the pet travel price is refundable.
• You can seek a refund at the ticket counter. 
• Credit card payments are accepted for pet fares.
• Please pay the fare at the ticket counter on the same day. 

Documentation Required

You will need to submit some required documents for the reservation. Check out the information below to know about the required documents, under the Southwest flying with pets guidelines. 

Regular Pets

If you travel with regular pets, in certain terms & conditions, there is no need to submit some documents, such as, complete the DOT Service Animal Air Travel form, vaccination certificate and much more. 

Service Animals

To travel with a service animal is subject to certain restrictions and to finish the documentation work. You will have to complete the DOT service animal reservation form, vaccination certificate, training certificate and other required documents. 

Requirements and Restrictions

According to Southwest pet travel rules, the pet reservation is subject to requirements and restrictions. Let’s know about the pet requirements & restrictions.

Restrictions

• There are some pet travel restrictions that you should be aware of before booking a reservation with Southwest Airlines.
• According to Southwest's cat policy, airlines will not allow animals without their owners.
• Minor passengers cannot bring their pets on the aircraft.
• To ensure safety, the airline does not allow passengers to reserve a seat on the escape row.
• You may not carry your pet as checked luggage.
• Each flight can carry no more than six pets.
• According to the Southwest Animal Policy, your pet should be at least eight weeks old.
• During the flight, your pet should be non-threatening and behave appropriately.
• During an emergency, the airline will not give your pet an oxygen mask.

Requirements 

• Small domestic cats and dogs are allowed to travel in cabin class with their owners on Southwest Airlines.
• Pets are not permitted in the cabin class on airlines if you have an international ticket.
• You have to give the airline 15 days' notice before the scheduled departure if you wish to travel with your pet.
• On each flight, the airline allows up to six pets.
• First come, first served for the pet reservation.
• Depending on the pet reservation you made, such as the cabin or cargo class, you will be charged for pets.

Pet Fare Required For Each Way Of Travelling With A Pet

Southwest Airlines pet policy requires a pet travel charge. If you travel with your pets, you will have to pay a pet reservation charge. The price is based on your pet's weight and class. The airline will charge you about $100 for each trip with your pet. You can pay the pet reservation charge at the check-in or ticket desk.   

Breed Restrictions

Regarding pet reservations, Southwest Airlines does not specify any breed restrictions under the Southwest pet travel policy. However, there are times when the airline will reject your pet's request for boarding due to behaviour such as excessive biting, scratching, growling, or lunging at the airport.
What should you keep in mind when purchasing a pet carrier?
When buying a pet carrier for your beloved companion, be sure it satisfies the following standards.

Pet Carrier Dimensions:

• You have the choice to buy your pet carrier from Southwest Airlines' official store.
• It costs about fifty-eight dollars, tax included, at the official Southwest Pet Carrier store.
• The maximum dimensions of your pet carrier should be "17" long by 9.5" high by 10" wide.
• On Southwest Airlines flights, only soft-sided and hard-sided pet carriers are permitted.
• The pet carrier needs to be leak-proof and have good ventilation.
• Only one pet carrier is allowed per person.
• You are permitted to bring two small pets in a single pet container, nevertheless, in accordance with Southwest's animal policy.

Approved Pet Carrier Size 

• Southwest Airlines' pet carrier (17"long * 9.5"high * 10"wide). 
• Other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18.5" long * 8.5" high * 13.5" broad are available. 
• Both Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers made particularly for pet transport are permitted.  

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