
Southwest Airlines doesn’t accept pets as checked baggage, or cargo, as the holds of their aircrafts aren’t suitable for transporting live animals. Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets in the Hold as Checked Baggage or Cargo? Pets are only permitted on domestic routes, so cats and dogs can’t fly in the cabin on Southwest Airlines international flights. Which Southwest Airlines Routes Allow Cats & Dogs in the Cabin? It costs $95 each way to take your pet as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin with Southwest. Cost of Flying a Pet in Cabin with Southwest Airlines If you’re new to pet travel, check out 8 IATA Compliant Airline Pet in Cabin Carriers. In addition, the airline pet travel carrier must adhere to the criteria set by the IATA LAR, in terms of ventilation, design etc.Īs Southwest Airlines is based in the USA, you must also ensure you meet the pet travel rules set by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). This includes calculating the minimum inner crate dimensions allowed by the IATA LAR for your cat or dog to fly in the cabin. While you need to ensure that your pet’s travel crate meets the maximum dimensions set by Southwest Airlines to fly in the cabin, remember that you must also adhere to the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA Regulations for Cats & Dogs Flying in the Cabin However, pets aren’t permitted to fly in the cabin on international flights. They also have to be secure, padded, made of water-repellant material and have nylon mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides. Soft-sided collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under the seat in front of you.Non-collapsible kennels can’t exceed the under seat dimensions of any aircraft included in your journey.Pets must be able to stand and sit up, turn around normally and lie down in a natural position in their kennel, without touching any side or the top of their travel bag.In addition, the following rules apply when flying your pet in the cabin with Southwest Airlines: You may take two small pets of the same species in the same carrier. On the flight, the travel bag will be stowed underneath the seat in front of you, you can’t remove your cat or dog during the flight for safety reasons.Įach passenger is allowed one pet carrier to fly in the Southwest Airlines cabin as carry on luggage, with a maximum of six cats or dogs allowed on each flight. The maximum dimensions for your cat or dog’s travel carrier are L 18.5” x H 8.5” x W 13.5”, and the combined weight of your pet inside the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds (9.07kg). The travel bag or kennel must also meet the Southwest Airlines specifications outlined in their pet travel policy. The Southwest Airlines pet travel policy accepts small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin within their approved travel carrier. Related Pages Dogs & Cats in the Cabin of the Plane ✅ Dogs & Cats flying as Checked In Baggage ❌ Pets flying as Cargo ❌ Assistance Dogs in Cabin ✅ Psychiatric Service Dogs in Cabin ✅ Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Cabin ❌ Southwest Airlines Pet Policy 2023 Does Southwest Airlines Allow Dogs and Cats in the Cabin?.

Southwest Airlines Assistance & Service Dog and Emotional Support Animal (ESAs) Policy.Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets in the Hold as Checked Baggage or Cargo?.Which Southwest Airlines Routes Allow Cats & Dogs in the Cabin?.Cost of Flying a Pet in Cabin with Southwest Airlines.IATA Regulations for Cats & Dogs Flying in the Cabin.Does Southwest Airlines Allow Dogs and Cats in the Cabin?.Check out Southwest Airlines pet travel reviews, or leave a pet travel review for Southwest Airlines if you’ve flown your cat or dog in the cabin! Read on for the complete Southwest Airlines pet policy for 2023. Dogs arriving from high-risk countries need to be at least 16 weeks old and have their rabies shots before travelling into the US. If you’re importing a dog to the USA, your dog’s age and vaccine requirements depend on the risk of rabies where your trip starts.
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However, trained and registered Assistance & Service Dogs, including Psychiatric Service Dogs, may fly in the cabin free of charge. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are no longer accepted under the Southwest Airlines ESA pet policy 2023 due to changes in US laws.

For cats and dogs to fly in the cabin, they must be at least 12 weeks old. Southwest Airlines doesn’t permit pets in the cargo hold under any circumstances, and pets aren’t allowed to fly in the cabin on international flights. The Southwest Airlines pet policy 2023 includes options for flying with small dogs or cats in the cabin, but no pets are allowed to travel in the aircraft hold as checked baggage or cargo. International Air Transport Association (IATA).
