How Can I Bring My Pet on Southwest Airlines? Pet Policy, Fees & Rules

Can I bring my pet on Southwest Airlines? Yes, but only small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs qualify and they must be in the cabin in an approved carrier. Under the Southwest Airlines pet policy, you call to reserve your pet's spot, pay $125 each way on mainland flights and keep the carrier under the seat. This guide covers the rules, fees and booking steps.

Does Southwest Airlines Allow Pets on Flights?

Yes. Southwest accepts small cats and dogs in the cabin. Your pet has to be at least 8 weeks old and travel with a ticketed passenger. Unaccompanied minors cannot bring a pet.

Southwest does not permit pets in the cargo hold; pets may only travel in the cabin with you. Spots are limited. You have to book your pet’s spot by phone. Southwest’s Contract of Carriage, effective Jan. 27, 2026, says it can cap each flight at six pet carriers, filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Call early.

Trained service animals are governed by a different policy so this guide is only about pets.

What Is Southwest Airlines' Pet Policy?

Here are the main Southwest pet rules and restrictions:

• Eligible pets: Small, vaccinated, domestic cats and dogs.
• Pet carrier: One carrier per ticketed passenger. You can put two small cats or two small dogs in a carrier as long as each pet has enough room to stand up and move around comfortably.
• Behavior: Southwest can refuse to fly a pet that barks or whines a lot, scratches, growls, bites, lunges, or has an accident in the cabin or at the gate.
• Health: Pets must be in good health and need no attention in flight. Southwest would advise you to ask your vet first - particularly if your pet has heart disease, anxiety or a short-nosed face.
• Routes: Pets can’t fly on international flights or on flights between the mainland and Hawaii. They are accepted between the Hawaiian Islands.
• Destinations: Puerto Rico may have additional requirements so be sure to check the Southwest destination page prior to booking.

Southwest has the same rules for dogs and cats. In this case the policy applies equally to both.

How Much Does It Cost to Bring a Pet on Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines pet fees are charged per carrier, each way:

A mainland round trip costs $250 for one carrier. You pay at the airport ticket counter and the fee is refundable if you cancel the reservation. Fees can change. Check Southwest's Optional Travel Charges page before you fly. Pets don't earn Rapid Rewards points.

What Are Southwest Airlines' Pet Carrier Requirements?

A Southwest Airlines pet carrier must be made for pets, leak-proof, well-ventilated and small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Keep your pet’s whole body from head to tail, inside the carrier. It should also have enough space to stand up and move around easily.

Southwest recommends soft sided carriers as the under-seat space varies.

The carrier is considered either your personal item or your carry-on, so you can bring it as one of those. It can't go in the overhead bin.

How to Book a Flight Tickets with a Pet on Southwest Airlines

Book your flight tickets with a pet in six easy steps, listed below:

1. Book your flight ticket. Buy your own seat first.
2. Call Southwest. Pet reservations can't be made online. Call early, since space is limited.
3. Pick your seat carefully. Passengers with pets can't sit in an exit row or a seat without forward under-seat storage.
4. Check in at the ticket counter. Pay the pet fee before going to the gate.
5. Clear security. Carry your pet through the TSA screening device. The empty carrier is passed through the X-ray and can be searched.
6. Keep your pet in the carrier. That applies at the gate, during boarding, in flight, and when you exit. Board with your assigned group.

Tips for Traveling with Your Pet on Southwest Airlines

• Reserve early. Southwest may limit pet carriers per flight.
• Measure your carrier. Check it against Southwest's limits, not the retailer's label.
• Choose soft sides. They fit more under-seat spaces.
• Practice at home. Short carrier sessions with treats help.
• Use a relief area first. Southwest won't hold a flight for pet breaks.
• Arrive early. Pet check-in and security take extra time.
• Check destination rules, especially for Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Frequently Asked Questions

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