Southwest Pet Policy

Traveling With Pets

General Information

Southwest Airlines allows small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs to travel with you in-cabin under the seat in front of you. All pets must be carried in an appropriate carrier, as indicated below. 

Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.

Pets will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. Six (6) pets are allowed per flight with a limit of one pet carrier per paying Customer traveling on the same flight. However, from time to time, circumstances may allow for more (or fewer) than six (6) pet carriers per scheduled flight.

Pets must be checked in at the airport ticket counter, however Customers can still secure their boarding pass online, at curbside check-in, the airport kiosk, or the ticket counter.

A pet that engages in disruptive behavior may be denied boarding. Examples of disruptive behavior include (but are not limited to):

• Scratching, excessive whining or barking
• Growling, biting, lunging
• Urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area

For Customers traveling to Puerto Rico, specific requirements may apply.

Flying to Hawaii? Visit our Help Center to learn about rules and regulations pertaining to Hawaii travel.

Customers may take cremated pet remains onboard as carryon items. Cremated remains must be inspected by the TSA at the security checkpoint and cannot be accepted as checked baggage by Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines recommends the transport of remains in a temporary plastic or cardboard container that is typically provided by the crematorium to ensure the item can be cleared by X-ray screening (many urns and opaque containers do not pass the screening process and will not be opened for physical inspection). If a remains container cannot be screened, it is not permitted past the security checkpoint in carryon baggage and must not be placed in checked baggage.

Pet Reservation & Payment Information

• Pets traveling are subject to a Pet Fare each way per Pet carrier. Please visit our Optional Travel Charges page for pricing.
  
  Pet Fares are refundable. If you cancel your reservation and your pet does not travel or if your flight is canceled and you choose not to rebook, contact Southwest at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or visit the airport ticket counter to process your refund. Please note, Pet Fare pricing is subject to change at any time.
• U.S. Domestic Flights: Reservations must be made in advance by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). On the day of travel, Customers must bring the pet to the airport in an approved pet carrier. Proceed to the airport ticket counter to check the pet in and pay the Pet Fare before going to the departure gate.
• International Flights: Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.

In-cabin Pet Carriers

Get your official Southwest Airlines branded pet carrier for $58 (tax included) at any Southwest Airport Ticket Counter or online (tax not included) at Southwest: The Store (not an affiliate of Southwest Airlines Co.). Pet carriers are non-refundable.

Acceptable Pet Carriers:

• The Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier (17” long x 9.5” high x 10” wide).
• Other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide.
• Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers specifically designed as pet carriers are acceptable.
• The carriers must be leak-proof and well ventilated.
• The pet carrier must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of the Customer and be stowed in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Pet Carrier Requirements:

• Southwest Airlines allows only one pet carrier per ticketed Passenger.
• The carrier may contain two (2) cats or dogs and must be of the same species per carrier.
• The cat or dog must be completely inside the pet carrier and be able to stand up and move around the carrier with ease.
• Pets must be secured in the pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and they must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight. Failure to follow this requirement may result in denial of transportation of the pet onboard Southwest Airlines.

Note: Pet carriers are considered either a personal item or a carryon item. A Customer may board the aircraft with either a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a regular size carryon bag. A Customer may not board the aircraft with a pet carrier, a regular size carryon bag, and a personal item. The pet carrier must conform to all carryon baggage regulations.

Pet Travel Restrictions

• Southwest Airlines does not accept pets (cats or dogs) traveling without a Customer.
• Pets are not permitted to travel with Unaccompanied Minors.
• Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.
• Customers traveling with a pet may not occupy an exit row or a seat with no forward under-seat stowage.
• Southwest Airlines will only carry pets in the cabin; pets are not permitted as checked baggage.
• There will be no more than six (6) scheduled pet carriers per scheduled flight. However, from time to time, circumstances may allow for more (or fewer) than six (6) pet carriers per scheduled flight. 
• Cats and dogs must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel.
• The animals must be harmless, not disruptive, odorless, and require no attention during flight.
• Cats and dogs must remain in the carrier (including head and tail) and the carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of the Customer (owner) for the entire duration of the flight.
• A pet may not share a carrier with a trained service animal.
• The purchase of a non-refundable additional seat may be required to accommodate the pet when traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator or trained service animal.
• Southwest Airlines will not be responsible if a Customer misses a flight due to the need to take the cat or dog to an outside relief area. Flight departures will not be delayed or held in order for connecting Customers to take a pet to an animal relief area.
• If the pet becomes ill during the flight, oxygen or other first aid procedures will not be administered.
• In the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask may not be available for the cat or dog.
• Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the health or wellbeing of carryon pets.

Traveling with Pets: Security

When passing through security, Customers will be asked to hold the pet and walk through the screening device while the carrier is x-rayed.

All pet carriers are subject to being searched by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), other airport security authorities, as well as searches by airline personnel.