Southwest Airlines Pet Policy: Everything You Need to Know Before Flying With Your Dog or Cat

Going on a trip with your furry friend is absolutely possible. But, if you’re planning to fly, things may get complicated, as not every airline allows pets on board.

Luckily for all of us, Southwest Airlines allows domestic cats and dogs to fly as long as you meet the conditions set in the airline’s pet policy. That’s why we’ve written this article – we’ll check out all Southwest pet policy requirements you must meet, so you can take your buddy and travel. 

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy

Southwest Airlines introduced its pet policy on May 29, 2009, when its CEO, Gary Kelly (now former), announced that customers could purchase tickets for their small dogs and cats starting from June 1, 2009.

The policy has been active ever since. However, it’s essential to understand and meet the airline’s conditions so that you can bring your pet with you. Let’s check these conditions out in detail.

Are pets allowed to fly with Southwest?

According to the US Department of Agriculture, pets are privately-owned companion animals that aren’t intended for research or resale. Animals considered pets include dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

This, however, doesn’t mean that you can fly with a pet that belongs to the mentioned categories. That’s because each airline has its own rules and requirements.

If you’re flying with Southwest Airlines, you’ll be able to bring your vaccinated small dog or cat in a carrier. You should know that your pet has to be small enough to fit in a carrier of pre-specified dimensions but still be at least eight weeks old to be allowed to travel.

Reservations

First things first – you should know that there’s a misconception that you don’t need a reservation to fly with your pet with Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines accepts pets on a first-come, first-serve basis. We think that’s why people believe they don’t need a reservation. However, Southwest Airlines’ pet policy clearly states that you must reserve by calling the airline in advance because space is limited.

It’s very important to note that the maximum number of pet carriers allowed in the plane is six. That’s why the airline employs the first-come, first-serve practice. Of course, the airline may allow more carries (or fewer) in exceptional circumstances.

Costs and refund policy

Southwest Airlines’ pet fare costs $95 each way per pet carrier. Keep in mind that only a ticketed customer can pay the pet fare and bring their pet, meaning unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed to take their pets.

If you’re flying between the Hawaiian Islands, you’ll have to pay a $35 pet fare per pet carrier. The official website says the $35 pet fare applies for flights up to June 30, 2023. So, if you book a flight after that date, we recommend you check out the website or call the airline, as there may be changes in the price.

What if you decide not to travel or if the flight gets canceled? In that case, the airline will refund the pet fare you’ve paid. You must call the airline or go to the ticket counter to get a refund.

Now, be aware that you can book online, but you have to pay the pet fare at the ticket counter on the day of travel. Before going there, you should check which credit cards are accepted at the ticket counter to ensure you won’t have a problem.

Southwest Airlines Pet Restrictions

Route restrictions

First, you should be aware that Southwest Airlines only allows small cats and dogs to fly on domestic flights. This means that you can’t take your puppy if you’re flying internationally or on any journey that includes an international flight.

Another significant restriction is that you can’t travel with your pet to or from Hawaii. However, as we said earlier, pets are allowed on flights between Hawaiian Island for a $35 pet fare.

Additionally, you should know that other restrictions may apply according to the state regulations for imports to Puerto Rico. The regulation file states that whenever the laws on the movement and health of animals are more restrictive than those of the federal government, the Puerto Rico laws will apply.

Therefore, we advise you to carefully read the requirements and consult with the authorities before booking a flight for you and your furry friend.

General restrictions

Since Southwest’s pet policy states that it accepts one pet carrier per ticketed customer, it’s logical to conclude that pets are not accepted without a customer. Also, unaccompanied minors can’t take their pets while flying.

When it comes to boarding, some blogs say you’ll get to preboard because you carry a pet carrier. However, this is not true. Southwest pet policy says that customers with pet carriers will get on with their assigned group.

Another general restriction is that you can’t take a pet and a trained service animal in the same carrier.

Additionally, keep in mind that Southwest allows carrying pets in the cabin. This airline doesn’t permit pets as checked baggage.

Seating restrictions

Southwest Airlines is known for its open seating policy. However, if you’re traveling with your pet, you’ll have to follow other rules.

For instance, you can’t take a seat in an exit row. You also can’t occupy a seat that doesn’t have an under-seat space in front of it. Typically, the seats without under-seat spaces are found in the first row. But this varies depending on the plane, so you should ask the flight attendant to lead you to a suitable seat.

It’s imperative to remember that you have to put the carrier in the under-seat space in front of you. You can’t hold your pet in your arms even if it’s inside the carrier.

Your lovely pet must stay in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight. Of course, there are rules applying to the carrier dimensions, and we’ll discuss them later in detail.

Airport pet services

The great news about Southwest Airlines is that it collaborates with airports that have available relief areas for pets. However, keep track of the time carefully since you may miss the flight. The departures can’t be delayed if the customer has to take their pet to a relief area.

Another crucial thing to remember is that the airline takes no liability for the well-being or health of the pets. In the case of an emergency, your pet will most likely not get an oxygen mask. Also, the attendants won’t administer any first aid procedures if it gets ill during the flight.

It’s good to know that Southwest Airlines accepts pet crates and strollers, meaning you can check crates and strollers for free, in addition to the regular free baggage allowance.

Airport security with pets

Once you book a flight with your pet and pay the pet fare, you both have to pass through security. According to Southwest’s pet policy, you have to hold the pet carrier when walking through the screening device.

Be aware that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will search the pet carrier. The carrier is also a subject of a search by the airline personnel and other airport security authorities.

As we said earlier, you can only take your vaccinated pet on a Southwest Airlines flight. However, the policy states that you’re not obligated to show any vaccine documentation. Of course, this depends on the state you’re flying to, as some states have specific regulations.

Rules for boarding a flight with pets

This section is very important! Even if you reserve a flight with your pet, pay the pet fare, and pass through security, the airline may still deny your pet from boarding. Usually, this happens if your pet shows disruptive behavior.

What does this mean? Multiple examples of disruptive behavior are listed in Southwest’s pet policy, including scratching, whining, and excessive barking. Your pet may be denied boarding if it bites, urinates, or defecates in the cabin or the gate area.

Since multiple behaviors may be considered disruptive, the airline personnel will decide whether to allow your pet or not at the scene.

Additionally, make sure you give your cat or dog a bath before traveling because your pet may be denied boarding if it’s dirty or smells bad.

Rules for in-cabin pet carriers

To fly with your dog or cat using Southwest Airlines, you must carry your pet in a suitable carrier. By suitable, we mean a carrier that meets the airline’s requirements.

Did you know that Southwest Airlines offers branded pet carriers for $58? If you want to buy a branded bag, you can find one at any Southwest airport ticket counter or online at Southwest Store. Please keep in mind that, unlike the pet fare, the purchased carriers are non-refundable.

Permitted pet-carrier dimensions on Southwest flights

You can put your pet in a Southwest-branded carrier or any other product as long as it meets the dimension requirements. These are the maximum acceptable dimensions:

Long	18.5″
High	8.5″
Wide	13.5″

Other requirements

The dimensions aren’t the only thing the carrier has to meet. The bag has to be leak-proof and well-ventilated.

As you may recall, we mentioned above that you can fly with your small pet. The size of the accepted carriers determines the size of the allowed pets. This means your pet must be small enough to fit in the carrier of the dimensions we listed above and be comfortable inside.

The cat or the dog must be able to stand inside the carrier and even move around easily.

You should know that the Southwest allows two pets of the same species in the same carrier. However, as we said above, they have to be really small to be comfortable in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.

You must pay attention to the size of your pet because, according to Southwest’s pet policy, your buddy has to stay in the carrier while in the gate area, during boarding, and for the entire duration of the flight, both heads and tail.

Note: Southwest can consider the carrier a personal or carry-on item. This means you can’t take personal and carry-on items if you take your pet.

Step-by-step instructions on taking your pet on Southwest’s flights

1. Since the space is limited, call the airlines to make a reservation in advance.
2. If you have a carrier, measure it to ensure it meets the dimension requirements. If you don’t own one, you can purchase a Southwest-branded carrier or another transporter with acceptable dimensions.
3. Give your pet a bath to make sure it’s clean and odorless.
4. Pay the pet fare at the airport ticket counter.
5. You’ll have to hold the carrier in your arms when passing through the screening device. Of course, the personnel will give you instructions.
6. When you board the plane, find a seat that’s not in an exit row or one that has no under-seat space in front of it. The flight attendants will be happy to guide you.
7. During the flight, don’t move the carrier from the under-seat space in front of you, and don’t let your pet out.

Cremated pets

It’s important to note that Southwest Airlines allows passengers to travel with cremated pet remains as a carry-on item, meaning the remains can’t be transported in the passenger’s checked baggage.

The airline recommends that customers transport the remains in a temporary plastic or cardboard container so that the item can pass through X-ray screening without a problem. You should be aware that the TSA will inspect the container at the security checkpoint desk.

Wrapping Up

The Southwest pet policy allows you to take your vaccinated pet (a small cat or dog) onboard as long as you meet the airline’s requirements. In this article, we included all the crucial information you need to prepare for your next trip and take your puppy or canine with you.

We hope you’ll find our article helpful. However, once again, we strongly advise you to reread the requirements and directly contact the airline to make sure you meet its conditions so you can take your pet on your next flight.