Southwest Airlines pet policy
What Southwest Airlines allows for pets, from its own pages, checked 1 November 2026.
Pets in the cabin: yes$125 per Pet carrier one-way U.S. Mainland. $35 per Pet carrier between Hawaiian Islands
Checked or cargo: no
Emotional support animals fly as petsUnder service animal rules
Pets in the cabin
- Animals allowed
- small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs123
- Cabin fee
- $125 per Pet carrier one-way U.S. Mainland. $35 per Pet carrier between Hawaiian Islands123
- Carrier size
- 18" (L) x 10.5" (W) x 10" (H). Southwest Pet Carrier 15" (L) x 10" (W) x 10" (H)123
- Pets per passenger
- 1 pet carrier per ticketed customer, up to 2 small cats or dogs of the same species123
- Minimum age
- eight (8) weeks old123
- Routes
- Domestic flights123
Checked bags, cargo and limits
- Details
- No pets are transported in the cargo compartment.1
Service animals and booking
- Service animals
- Trained service dogs only. Present a completed DOT Service Animal Air Transportation form, dated on or after ticket purchase, at the ticket counter or gate.4
- How to book a pet
- Space is limited, so reserve in advance by phone. Pay the Pet Fare at the ticket counter. It is refundable if you cancel.1
- Emotional support animals
- Not accepted as service animals. They can travel as pets under the pet rules.4
Read Southwest Airlines's own pet page before you book.
Sources
- Pet policy, Southwest Airlines, checked 1 November 2026
- Optional travel charges, Southwest Airlines, checked 1 November 2026
- What type of pet carriers can I bring, Southwest Airlines, checked 1 November 2026
- Traveling with a trained service dog, Southwest Airlines, checked 1 November 2026