Pet Policy
Rules and restrictions
Be sure to review this information before your trip and plan accordingly. And remember that all airlines have different restrictions, so read each airline’s rules before you book a new trip.
- International policy: Pets are not allowed to travel in the main cabin on international flights.
- Pets allowed in main cabin: Small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs. Generally, in-cabin crates should be soft-sided and fit under the plane seat in front of you.
- No pets are allowed to travel in the baggage hold.
- Customers traveling with a pet may not occupy an exit row or a seat with no forward under-seat stowage.
- Cats and dogs must be at least eight weeks old in order to travel.
- Typically, no more than six carriers will be allowed on a flight, so be sure to make arrangements well ahead of time so you can secure a reservation.
Pets must be checked in at the airport ticket counter, however customers can still get their boarding pass online, at curbside checkin, the airport kiosk, or at the ticket counter.
Animal relief areas are available at each of the locations Southwest serves, and uniformed airline employees can direct you to where those locations are upon request.
From what to bring for your flight, to how you should prepare your pet for air travel, check out this article for more tips on flying with your pet.
Fees
The pet fare for pets in main cabin is $95.00 each way.
About
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Southwest Airlines Co. is a major American airline and the world’s largest low-cost carrier. Originally called Air Southwest Co., they changed it to its current name in 1971 when it began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas, first flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.