Southwest Airlines Pet Policy

Southwest Airlines allows pets to fly in-cabin for a fee of $95 each way. Pets are only allowed on flights less than 12 hours (including layover time) and must remain in their kennels. There is no limit on the number of pets that can be transported, but only six pets can be included in any one reservation. If you're flying with your pet, you must finalize your reservation at least 48 hours before departure. The following animals are not allowed to travel as cargo on Southwest Airlines:

Pets are allowed on Southwest Airlines for a fee of $95 per kennel, each way.

Southwest Airlines allows pets to travel in the cabin with their owners for a fee of $95 per kennel, each way. If you are traveling with more than one pet, you will only be charged once for the first crate and $50 for each additional crate. You can pay for your pet online or at the airport on the day of your flight.

Only six pets are allowed on any flight.

Southwest Airlines will only allow six pets on any given flight, and there are two exceptions to this rule. The first is if you're traveling with your pet in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. This allows one additional pet per flight (but not more than seven total).

The second exception is if your pet is too large for cabin travel—if it weighs more than 80 pounds or needs special accommodations during the flight, it may be transported in cargo instead of the cabin. This policy applies for both cats and dogs; however, we will make every effort to accommodate larger animals by way of our PetSafe® program at no cost to you unless arrangements have been made in advance with an airline representative.

The pet must remain in its carrier except when it is necessary for the pet to be removed from the carrier so that it can use the lavatory.

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Pet reservations must be finalized at least 48 hours before departure.

Pet reservations must be finalized at least 48 hours before departure. If you don't confirm your pet reservation at least 48 hours before departure, you will not be allowed to board with your pet. You can confirm your pet reservation at the airport, but you will be charged a $95 fee for each change and/or cancellation.

You will not be allowed to board if you show up to the gate with an unconfirmed pet reservation.

You will not be allowed to board if you show up to the gate with an unconfirmed pet reservation. If you don't have a confirmed reservation, click on "Manage My Booking" and follow the prompts for pet reservations. Once your pet has been confirmed, we'll send another email confirming his or her seat assignment as well as instructions on how to proceed through security and onto the plane.

Pets are not allowed to travel on flights longer than 12 hours.

If your pet is flying in-cabin as a pet passenger, and the flight is more than 12 hours, please contact us. We will be happy to book you on an alternate flight that has this restriction removed. Additionally, we may be able to accommodate your animal at an airport near you where there are no restrictions on the length of stay.

Note: Animals who are ineligible to travel as cargo may not be transported in-cabin aboard Southwest Airlines flights either due to size or health condition. This includes animals that are too large or too small for their crate (i.e., guinea pigs), ill animals not fit for travel due to contagious respiratory disease (i.e., parvo), pregnant/nursing/neonatal young ones under 24 weeks old weighing less than 2 pounds (i.e., kittens) and all reptiles & amphibians regardless of size/age including iguanas

Animals that are ineligible to travel as cargo may not be transported in-cabin aboard Southwest Airlines flights.

Southwest Airlines does not accept pets as checked baggage, but they are permitted in the cabin as long as they meet certain requirements.

Unlike other airlines, Southwest does not allow your pet to travel in the hold under any circumstances; they must be transported in the cabin with you or another passenger on your flight. It is important to note that there are some animals that are ineligible to travel as cargo may not be transported in-cabin aboard Southwest Airlines flights.

Under no circumstances will Southwest Airlines allow snakes or reptiles of any kind onboard their aircraft, including snakes and reptiles carried by passengers who have permits for them from state or federal agencies such as zoos or research institutions.

Southwest also doesn't allow ferrets, hamsters and guinea pigs into the cabin of an aircraft (even if these creatures live inside a cage). Hamsters can sometimes get loose while traveling and bite people -- even when they're asleep! That's why we don't want them around us during our flights anyway! It's also possible for some types of hamsters/guinea pigs/ferrets to damage electronic equipment like laptops if left unsupervised - so it's best just not bring them at all if possible!

Flights less than 12 hours allow pets to fly with their human companions, provided they have a valid health certificate and a kennel.

If you're flying with your pet on a Southwest Airlines flight that is less than 12 hours, they need to be in a kennel and have a current health certificate. They also must be less than 20 pounds, or less than 20 inches (including their tail) if they're a cat or small dog. If you have an older pet (8 years or older), we recommend traveling by car instead of plane so that they don't get too nervous during the trip.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.