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Southwest Airlines pet policy 2020-2021

Planning to fly with animals in Southwest airlines? Then, you can find all the details relating to the Southwest Pet Policy 2020-2021. Pets in cabin policy give information about traveling with a service dog, emotional support animal and what size dog can fly in cabin. Yes! You can travel with your dog, cat, hamsters, pigs and household birds domestically and internationally. Do you know the pet carriers, kennel size, cargo cost for dog, cat, and birds? Here, in this article, we have put in all details regarding pet policy in Southwest airlines.

Southwest pet policy

Southwest Airlines allows you to enjoy your trip with your pets by taking them with you in the cabin. Some general pet guidelines and limitations when it comes to traveling with your animals on Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines pets policy 2020-2021:

  • The number of pets permitted per Cabin on Southwest Airlines is One (1) adult dog or cat or puppies or kittens in the cabin. Per ticketed passenger is eligible to carry one carrier.
  • Pets must be at least eight (8) weeks old and not more than six (6) months old.
  • Six (6) pets are allowed per flight with a limit of one pet carrier per paying Customer traveling on the same flight.
  • Southwest Airlines charges $95 USD Pet Fare, each way per pet carrier.
  • Make a reservation for your pet by calling Southwest Airlines customer care at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
  • Also, pets are not permissible in the cabin on international flights.
  • No need of health documents for the pets in Southwest airlines.
  • Pet remains in the cabin or check-in baggage is not acceptable in Southwest airlines.

Southwest Airlines Pet Fare:

US $95  is chargeable as Southwest pet fee for each way per carrier and pet Fares are refundable.

Pets traveling in the Cabin:

As we all know, one standard carry-on and a personal item are allowable. Whereas, if you bring your pet to the cabin, then that will count towards your carry-on provisions. Important points to note

  • In the cabin, cats and dogs can travel. But not birds.
  • Pets are not permissible in the cabin on international flights.

Southwest Airlines pet carrier size dimensions and Kennel requirements:

  • In the first place, the carrier must be comfortable enough for the pet to stand, turn around and lay down in its natural position.
  • You can bring in the carriers with maximum dimensions 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches or 47 x 22 x 34 centimeters or you can also buy a pet carrier from Southwest airlines.
  • The carrier can be hard side or soft side with leak proof material and proper ventilation.
  • Pets must be in a carrier in the airport and on the board for the whole journey. Any pets not abiding this regulation may not be able to travel.

Southwest Airlines pet guidelines:

  • Customers may have to carry and walk the pet while screening.
  • There are pet relief areas in every location where Southwest airlines serve. You can also contact the southwest airline employee to help you with the pets.
  • Pets do count towards the carry on bag. But, the pet stroller can be checked at free of cost in addition to baggage allowance.
  • Payment made on pets travel is refundable in case if your pet is not traveling or on the cancellation of the flight. For this, contact the reservation desk at the airport.

Pets traveling as checked baggage:

Southwest does not accept any animals as checked baggage on any flight.

Pets health documents required during travel:

Make sure travelers obtain the following items before you travel.

  • Southwest Airlines pet policy  requires animals to travel with an animal health certificate, pet’s vaccination and documentation records depending on their route.
  • Also, you are responsible for obtaining an animal health certificate from your animal’s treating veterinarian, prior to the date of travel.
  • We encourage you to provide 48-hours advance notification of your intent to travel with your pet by contacting our Reservations Department at Southwest.com

What is the Southwest Cabin Baggage Allowance

Latest Southwest Checked Baggage Policy

Traveling with Emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals on Southwest Airlines:

Southwest airlines service dog policy guidelines are

  • Only one service animal is allowable per passenger. There are no additional charges in Southwest Airlines for ESA.
  • Your service animal should remain on the floor and can never occupy a seat.
  • In case your animal small enough to be on your lap without touching any part of the seat or adjacent customers, then it can be.
  • Whereas if the ESA bigger that cannot occupy the footprint space, then you need to book an extra seat for your service animal. Or you may have to wait until the crew member finds an empty seat(maybe in other flight) as an alternate for you.
  • You need to notify the reservation desk no later than 48 hours and submit the documents as per the requirements.
  • In our Mint seating, you will forfeit the lie-flat feature in order to accommodate your animal on the floor.
  • If your animal is small enough to fit fully on your lap without touching any part of the seat, the lie-flat feature may be used.
  • Service animal also can occupy any seat except ones in exit rows.
  • If your animals are of a size that prevents an adjacent customer from utilizing the amenities of their seat, the customer traveling with the animals may need to be re-accommodated in another seat.

Southwest also welcomes all psychiatric service animals and emotional support animal dog into the cabin at free of cost. In order to accommodate the special needs of your travel, the airways suggest you to pre-book your tickets as soon as possible. And while booking, add the special service request, when you have a plan of flying your special service friend.

Required documentation for Service Animals:

The southwest pet policy emotional support documents are must submit. They are,

  • Medical/Mental Health Professional Form.
  • Veterinary Health Form.
  • Customer Confirmation of Animal Behavior.

Additionally,

  • Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require vaccination documentation for the animal.
  • International destinations have vaccination and documentation requirements.

For further clarification call the Southwest airlines or visit the official page.

Southwest Airlines carry on pets exceptions and restricted breeds:

Certainly, there are some breeds that may not feel safe to fly. The prohibited Animals on Southwest Airlines are

  • Animals improperly cleaned and/or with a foul odor
  • Hedgehogs
  • Animals who appear to be in poor health
  • Ferrets
  • Animals who display aggression
  • Animals with tusks
  • Insects
  • Rodents
  • Snakes
  • Spiders
  • Sugar gliders
  • Reptiles

Only cats, dogs, and miniature horses are allowable as service animals. At the same time, any animal under service training cannot accompany as a service animal. They have to travel as normal pets.

Please add your animal to your reservation when booking online or notify Southwest Airlines customer care at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). For further details visit the website.

We hope you and your pet find it easy to travel with Southwest Airlines. For further more clarification on Southwest Airlines’ pet travel policy 2020-2021, contact the customer care center or visit the Southwest website. The above articles provide details on pets on Southwest airlines, pet carrier dimensions, and cargo shipping rates.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much does it cost to fly a pet on Southwest Airlines?

The pet fee is $95 per pet carrier each way.

Does the southwest charge for emotional support animals?

Trained service and emotional support animals are permitted on Southwest Airlines flights, subject to compliance with certain safety and documentation requirements.

What size dog can fly in cabin?

The carrier may not weigh more than 20 lbs or 9 Kg.

What is Southwest pet policy?

The number of pets permitted per Cabin on Southwest Airlines is One (1) adult dog or cat or puppies or kittens in the cabin.

How many pet carriers for each Customer allowed?

Customers are allowed to travel with only one (1) pet carrier per person. Each pet carrier can have no more than two (2) of the same species of small cats or dogs per pet carrier.

Do Southwest Airlines accept pet crates/strollers as checked baggage?

Of course! Customers traveling with a pet will be allowed to check a pet stroller/crate without a charge.

What type of vaccinations or documentation is required for a pet?

Identically, Southwest does not require a health certificate or any other documentation from the Customer’s veterinarian for pets to travel.

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