What Southwest Airlines Pet Policy is All About?

Do you want to travel with your baby dog but are unaware of Southwest Airlines Pet Policy? Then, this post will best suit your trip plan. In this context, we are going to cover all the essentials of pet travel requirements. Afterward, you can find it easier to prepare a proper pet trip with Southwest Airlines Reservations. 

Can I Take My Pet on Southwest Flight?

Southwest Airlines allows all passengers to travel with their domestic pets by following the pet policy. If you are a dog or cat owner, plan air travel with them by following the Southwest Airlines policies for pet travel. Following the policy, you will be liable to schedule a flawless and confirmed travel with your pet on Southwest.

What is Southwest Airlines Policy for Pet Travel?

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy allows all passengers to travel with them by drawing some criteria and protocols. As long as one meets all of the requirements or protocols meant for Pet travel, one can bring their baby dog or cat on Southwest Travel. Here'sHere's what Southwest Airlines' Pet Policy states and permits passengers to travel with pets. 

Pet Eligibility for Southwest Travel

• Under the pet policy of Southwest, domestic dogs or cats are eligible to travel with their owner. 
• The pet must be 8 weeks older to qualify for travel.
• Get your pet vaccinated before booking the flight.
• If a pet is not aggressive and disruptive, you can think of traveling with your furry ones.

Southwest Airlines pet carrier guidelines

• One carrier is acceptable for each ticketed customer.
• Southwest accepts no more than two pets of the same species of cat or dog.
• Get your pet in a spacious enough carrier when it's about to travel.
• Make sure that the pet carrier dimensions are not larger than the 18.5" (L) x 13.5" (W) x 9.5" (H) dimension.
• Pets in leak-proof and well-ventilated carriers are acceptable on Southwest Travel. 
• Southwest accepts both Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers.

Restricted destination/trip for Pet Travel

• Passengers traveling from or to Hawaii cannot take their pets on a trip. 
• Southwest Airlines allows pet travel on the trip between Hawaii islands.
• Specific requirements may be applicable to pet travel for passengers traveling to Puerto Rico. 
• Southwest Airlines pet travel is not eligible for any international flight or itinerary that involves international flights. 

Southwest Policies for Service Dogs

• Southwest Airlines accepts law enforcement dogs and search-and-rescue dogs for free, accompanied by their respective handlers. 
• A letter of mission and animal certification copy is essential for traveling with service dogs.
• The airline may deny the transportation of dogs that lead to a direct threat to health or others' safety or have a disruptive nature.

Guidelines to travel with Service Dogs While On Board

• Service dogs can sit on the owner's lap anywhere except the seat at the Emergency exit. 
• If the dog is in the carrier, it is advisable to stow the carrier under the front seat of you. 
• While on board, the dog must not extend into the aircraft aisle.
• Dogs must not block the exit paths or any exits.

Tips About Southwest Airlines Trained Service Dogs Travel 

• Some Specific policies, restrictions, and documentation for service dogs may vary by destination when flying to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, or Internationally. 
• It's the owner's responsibility to check out and comply with Dogs' travel, including acceptance laws, procedures, and requirements of each location on their itinerary. Otherwise, the airline will refuse the dog's travel on Southwest Flights.
• Five fact-finding reasons to Southwest Airlines staff at the airport to qualify trained service dogs for air travel.

How to travel with pets on Southwest Airlines?

Traveling with a pet can be challenging, like taking care of spry toddlers out in the garden, especially when it's your first time. To ensure you won't have such a situation while on a trip, we highly recommend you follow all the Tips for flying with pets on Southwest Airlines. Once you are ready, call Southwest Airlines customer service and make a request to add your pets to the bookings.

Steps to Book Pets to Travel on Southwest

Follow the steps given below, and easily book travel with a furry friend on Southwest Airlines flights.

• Make sure that you have booked your flight. 
• To add your pet to your reservation, you should contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service.
• Get the details of your pet such as, weight, pet type, and any special requirements.

How Much Does Southwest Airlines Charge for Traveling with Pets?

One should pay for the pet to travel along with them. The pet travel fee ranges up to USD 125 each way per pet carrier. One must pay the fee for pet travel at the airport ticket counter. This fee is not a part of your reservation value. The pet travel amount is fully refundable if you cancel your reservation.

Steps to Pay for Southwest Pet Travel

If you request pet travel on your reservations through customer service on a call, you need to pay for that at the airport ticket counter using the accepted credit cards. The pet travel fare pricing may change at times. So, it is always good to advise the passengers to pay at the airport ticket counter to avoid arguments among attendants and passengers regarding the pet travel fee by providing complete transparency. 

By covering all the above protocols, including the procedure, Southwest Airlines fee, and pet travel requirements, you are eligible to take your furry ones on a trip. 

Additional Things to Know About Flying with Pets on Southwest Airlines

Though Southwest Airlines allows all passengers to get their pets on a trip still, there is a chance your furry companion may not travel all because of your silly carelessness. To avoid such a scenario, you should cross-check the key facts about pet travel, such as;

• Pet's medical documentation
• Pets must meet behavior and age restrictions as per Southwest Airlines' Pet Policy.
• Avoid international travel when planning with your pet.
• Carry your pet in a leak-proof carrier.
• The carrier must include enough space and allow the pets to stand and move easily.
• The carrier type must be soft-sided or hard-sided. 
• A pet carrier must neither exceed the specified dimensions nor succeed the same.
• The airline does not allow pet travel on international routes.
• Pet travel is possible on domestic itineraries or flights and in the main cabin.
• One can carry two small dogs or cats of the same species in one carrier in one reservation. 
• Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible for Southwest Airlines Pet Policy. 
• To qualify the pet to travel with its owner, undergoing a TSA procedure at the airport is necessary. 

TSA Protocols to Undergo for Pet Travel at the Airport

• Ensure to get your pet off from the carrier and place it on the conveyor belt for screening through the X-ray machine.
• Holding your pet passes through the metal detector. 
• Anyhow, if you fail to get your pet out of the carrier, ask for a private screening room. This leads you to personal checking by TSA officers. If any explosives are caught from your pocket, they will swab your hands.
• Once the screening is over, place your pet back in the carrier, secure it properly, and ensure the comfort of your pet. 

Wrap Up

You can travel on Southwest Airlines with your pet dog or cat. You should follow the Southwest Airlines pet travel policy, guidelines and tips to level up your chance for travel. Bookings for pets are only available on a call to the customer service. 

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