Southwest Airlines Pet Policy

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy: Traveling with a pet requires careful planning, especially when you are flying. Southwest makes it fairly straightforward for owners of small cats and dogs, allowing them to travel in the cabin on eligible domestic flights rather than being shipped off in the cargo hold like luggage. All approved pets stay with their owners inside the aircraft with no exceptions. There are carrier requirements, age restrictions, route limitations, and seating rules to sort through, and the earlier you know about them, the better. Getting familiar with Southwest’s pet policy before you book just makes everything easier for you and your pet.

What Is the Southwest Airlines Pet Policy?

Southwest’s pet policy lets passengers bring small domestic cats and dogs into the cabin on eligible domestic flights, keeping your pet close rather than out of sight and out of reach for the entire journey. To qualify for travel, pets must:

Be small enough to fit inside an approved carrier
Remain inside the carrier during travel
Meet age requirements
Travel only on eligible routes
Comply with airline safety rules

Southwest doesn’t do cargo pet transport.

What Types of Pets Are Allowed on Southwest Airlines?

In Southwest Airlines, only certain household pets are allowed, such as:

Approved Pets

Eligible animals include:

Domestic cats
Domestic dogs

Pets must be properly vaccinated and healthy enough for travel.

The airline does not generally accept:

Exotic animals
Birds
Reptiles
Rodents
Farm animals
Large pets that cannot fit in an approved carrier

How Does Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Work?

Traveling with a pet on Southwest is pretty simple, but there are a couple of steps to follow. You book your own ticket first, then contact Southwest Reservations separately to add your pet, and keep in mind that space isn’t guaranteed since each flight only has so many spots. Once you’re on board, your pet stays in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you the whole time. Plan ahead. Pet spots fill up, and waiting too long usually means losing out.

Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets in Cargo?

No. Southwest Airlines does not provide cargo transportation for pets.

What This Means

Pets cannot travel in the cargo hold.
Pets must remain inside the cabin.
Large animals that cannot fit under a seat are generally not accepted under the standard pet travel program.

For owners who want their pet nearby for the whole trip, this is actually a relief.

Southwest Airlines Pet Fee

There’s a fee involved, and the amount depends on where you’re flying.

Standard Pet Fee

The standard fee is generally:

$125 each way per pet carrier

This applies to most domestic Southwest flights where pets are permitted.

Hawaiian Inter-Island Pet Fee

Southwest cuts the fee significantly for flights operating entirely within Hawaii.

Inter-Island Pet Fee

For flights strictly between Hawaiian islands:

$35 each way per carrier

That reduced rate only applies to eligible Hawaiian inter-island travel but not mainland-to-Hawaii routes.

Is the Southwest Pet Fee Refundable?

In many cases, yes. If you cancel an eligible reservation before travel, the pet fee is generally refundable under Southwest’s applicable rules, which is a genuinely useful safety net for travelers whose plans change unexpectedly and who don’t want to eat the cost of a trip that never happened.

Benefits

Greater booking flexibility
Reduced financial risk
Easier travel planning

Still, read the cancellation conditions before you finalize anything.

Flight Capacity Limits for Pets

Southwest limits the number of pets allowed onboard each aircraft.

Maximum Pet Carriers Per Flight

Generally, only:

Six pet carriers are permitted on each flight

Six spots per flight and on a busy route, they go fast. Book early. It’s really the only way to avoid finding out at the last minute that there’s no room for your pet.

Why Early Booking Is Important

The pet travel program operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Waiting until the last minute may result in:

No available pet spaces
Limited flight options
Schedule changes
Rebooking complications

Book early. It’s that simple.

Southwest Airlines Pet Carrier Requirements

Every pet needs an approved carrier with no exceptions. This is your pet’s space for the entire journey, and it has to meet Southwest’s standards before you ever get to the gate.

Approved Carrier Types

Southwest generally accepts:

Soft-sided carriers
Hard-sided carriers

The carrier must fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of the passenger.

Maximum Pet Carrier Dimensions

Size matters here. Carriers must stay within Southwest’s limits, and showing up with something oversized isn’t going to end well.

Maximum Dimensions

Generally, carriers may not exceed:

18.5 inches long
13.5 inches wide
9.5 inches high

Measure before you leave the house. Don’t guess.

Does the Pet Need to Fit Completely Inside the Carrier?

Yes. Completely. The pet must stay inside the carrier for the full duration of the trip, and the carrier needs to give them enough room to actually be comfortable in there but not just technically fit.

Requirements

The animal should be able to:

Stand naturally
Turn around
Move comfortably
Remain fully enclosed

A carrier that’s too small won’t be accepted. Simple as that.

How Many Pets Can Travel in One Carrier?

Southwest allows limited pet sharing within a single carrier.

Permitted Arrangement

Passengers may place:

Up to two small cats
Up to two small dogs

Both animals must be:

The same species
Comfortable sharing the carrier
Able to move freely inside

The airline may refuse travel if the carrier appears overcrowded.

Southwest Airlines Pet Age Requirements

Not every pet is old enough to fly. Young animals have a minimum age requirement, and it exists for a good reason.

Minimum Age Requirement

Pets must generally be:

At least eight weeks old

Younger animals are typically not accepted for transportation.

This rule helps ensure the health and safety of young pets during travel.

Does the Pet Carrier Count as Carry-On Luggage?

Yes. The pet carrier counts toward the passenger’s carry-on allowance.

Important Rule

Passengers cannot bring:

One pet carrier
One carry-on bag
One personal item

That combination exceeds the standard allowance. Pack accordingly.

Southwest Airlines Pet Seating Restrictions

Certain seats on the plane are off-limits for pet owners and the reasons are straightforward.

Exit Row Restrictions

Passengers traveling with pets are not permitted to occupy emergency exit row seats.

Why?

Exit rows require unrestricted access and rapid evacuation capability during emergencies. Pet carriers could interfere with these procedures.

Bulkhead Seating Restrictions

Bulkhead rows are also off the table. No under-seat storage means nowhere to put the carrier and the carrier has to be under a seat. No workaround exists.

Can Pets Occupy a Passenger Seat?

No. Pets don’t get their own seat. The carrier stays under the seat in front of you, secured and contained, for the entire flight.

Requirements

The pet must remain:

Inside the carrier
Under the seat in front of the owner
Securely contained throughout the flight

In-Airport Pet Rules

Southwest’s pet rules kick in the moment you arrive at the airport not just once you’re on the plane.

At the Airport

Pets must remain:

Fully enclosed
Properly secured
Inside their carrier

This applies at check-in, through security, and all the way to boarding.

In-Flight Pet Rules

Same rules, same expectations at 35,000 feet.

During the Flight

Pets must remain:

Completely inside the carrier
Properly secured
Under the seat

Passengers may not remove their pets from the carrier while onboard. Not for a stretch, not for a peek, not at all. These rules protect everyone on board.

Route Restrictions for Pet Travel

Not every Southwest route allows pets. Check before you book, because finding out after is a much bigger problem.

Domestic Flights Only

Southwest’s pet program applies to domestic travel only.

Eligible Flights

Domestic U.S. routes
Approved inter-island Hawaiian flights

International Flight Restrictions

Pets are generally not accepted on:

International flights
Itineraries containing international segments

If your trip goes outside the U.S., you’ll need to look into other options for your pet.

Mainland U.S. to Hawaii Restrictions

This one surprises a lot of people. Pets generally cannot travel between the mainland United States and Hawaii in either direction largely due to Hawaii’s strict animal entry requirements that exist to protect the islands’ unique ecosystem.

Hawaiian Inter-Island Pet Travel

Flying between Hawaiian islands is a different story. Southwest permits pets on flights operating solely within Hawaii, and the fee is reduced too.

Benefits

Reduced pet fee
Cabin travel
Convenient island transportation

Standard carrier and eligibility rules still apply.

How to Add a Pet to a Southwest Reservation

Southwest does not currently allow pet reservations during the standard online booking process. Travelers must complete an additional step.

Step 1: Book Your Flight

Reserve your own ticket through Southwest’s website or reservation system.

Step 2: Contact Southwest Reservations

Immediately after booking, contact Southwest Reservations to request a pet space. Since only six pet carriers are permitted per flight, prompt action is recommended.

Step 3: Confirm Availability

The airline will verify whether pet inventory remains available on your selected flight.

Step 4: Pay the Pet Fee

The pet transportation fee is generally collected at the airport ticket counter on the day of departure.

Southwest Airlines 24-Hour Booking Considerations

Once you’ve booked, take a few minutes to go back and review everything. It’s a small thing that can save you a lot of headache at the airport.

Benefits of Early Review

Verify pet eligibility
Confirm flight availability
Review carrier requirements
Avoid last-minute surprises

Checking details early can help prevent travel disruptions.

Tips for Traveling With Pets on Southwest Airlines

Reserve Early

Pet space is limited and fills up fast.

Choose the Right Carrier

Ensure the carrier meets Southwest’s size requirements.

Arrive Early at the Airport

Traveling with a pet takes a little more time at check-in factor that in.

Carry Health Records

Not always required, but having vaccination records on hand is smart practice and occasionally saves the day.

Prepare Your Pet

Help your pet become familiar with the carrier before departure.

Avoid Overpacking

Remember that the pet carrier counts toward your carry-on allowance.

Confirm Route Eligibility

Always verify that your itinerary permits pet travel.

Important Southwest Airlines Pet Rules

Travelers should remember these key policy points:

Only small domestic cats and dogs are accepted.
Pets must be at least eight weeks old.
Southwest does not transport pets in cargo.
Pets must remain inside an approved carrier.
Carriers must fit beneath the seat in front of the passenger.
Only six pet carriers are permitted per flight.
The standard pet fee is generally $125 each way.
Hawaiian inter-island flights have a reduced pet fee.
Pets are not permitted on international routes.
Pets cannot travel between the mainland United States and Hawaii.
Exit row and bulkhead seating restrictions apply.
Pet carriers count as carry-on baggage.

Final Thoughts

Southwest is a solid choice if you’re planning to fly with a small cat or dog. Your pet stays in the cabin with you the whole time, the fees are refundable in a lot of cases, and if you’re hopping between Hawaiian islands, the rate is noticeably cheaper. That said, the carrier size limits, age requirements, route restrictions, seating rules, and per-flight capacity limits all need to be on your radar before you book anything. Get familiar with the requirements early, plan around them, and the whole experience, for you and your pet it becomes a lot more manageable.

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy FAQs

1. What is the Southwest Airlines Pet Policy?
The Southwest Airlines Pet Policy allows small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin.

2. What pets are allowed on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines accepts only small domestic cats and dogs on eligible flights.

3. Can pets travel in the cabin on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, approved pets may travel in the cabin inside a compliant pet carrier.

4. Does Southwest Airlines allow pets in cargo?
No, Southwest Airlines does not transport pets in the cargo compartment.

5. How much is the Southwest Airlines pet fee?
Southwest Airlines charges a pet fee for each carrier traveling on a flight.

6. What size carrier is allowed under the Southwest Airlines Pet Policy?
The carrier must fit under the seat and meet Southwest Airlines size requirements.

7. Can I bring two pets on Southwest Airlines?
Two small pets of the same species may share one approved carrier.

8. Are pets allowed on international Southwest Airlines flights?
No, Southwest Airlines pet travel is generally limited to domestic routes.

9. Do emotional support animals fly free on Southwest Airlines?
Emotional support animals are treated as pets and are subject to pet policies.

10. Does Southwest Airlines allow service dogs?
Yes, trained service dogs may travel without a pet fee on eligible flights.

11. How do I add a pet to my Southwest Airlines reservation?
Contact Southwest Airlines early, as pet space is limited on each flight.

12. What documents are required under the Southwest Airlines Pet Policy?
Southwest Airlines may request vaccination records and compliance with applicable travel regulations.