Southwest Airlines Pet Policy

1. Like many airlines, Southwest accepts pets along with their humans. But while most airlines allow pets to fly as cargo, and some allow you to check pets travelling with pets southwest as baggage, Southwest does not. Only dogs and cats are permitted to travel in the cabin, and only on domestic routes. Even if it's only part of your route, pets are not permitted to travel in-cabin on any Southwest Airlines overseas aircraft. Southwest, on the other hand, enables you http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=southwest airlines pet policy to travel with a qualified service animal or emotional support animal on foreign flights. It's worth mentioning that Southwest is prohibited from flying even service animals to or from Jamaica due to country-specific laws. Emotional assistance animals must be accompanied by current documentation, which you must present. Dogs are transported in-cabin beneath the seat in front of you, as is the case with all airlines. For obvious reasons, Southwest will not work with you unless your pet is a cat or a small dog. Aside from small size, Southwest says your pet must be “harmless, not disruptive, odorless and require no attention during flight.” Although Southwest says your pet must be vaccinated, they do not require you to produce a health certificate or other paperwork from your vet. Pet Travel on Southwest - Making flight arrangements Pets are not permitted to travel alone. Instead of a minor traveling alone, they must be accompanied by an adult. You may bring one pet carrier on board, though it may contain two dogs or two cats – if they are small enough to stand, lie down and move around comfortably within their carrier. They must be at least 8 weeks old. You cannot board with three items, thus your pet's carrier will count as either your personal item or your carry-on. On Southwest, you can usually sit wherever you wish, but with a pet in tow, you can't sit behind the bulkhead or in an exit row. During your time in the gate area or on the plane, your dog or cat must remain in the carrier. Southwest Airlines requires pet reservations in advance, but you don't have to pay until you're ready to go. The current pet fare per pet carrier is $95 per trip, but you should double-check before booking because costs are subject to change. On a first-come, first-served basis, spaces are assigned. Southwest permits a total of 6 pet carriers on any given aircraft under normal conditions. Southwest Airlines Pet Policy - Southwest Authorized Pet Carriers Southwest has pet carriers that may be purchased online or at any of their ticket desks. Whatever carrier you select, it must meet the following criteria: ● Whether hard-sided or soft-sided, these carriers are made exclusively for transporting pets. ● It's well-ventilated and watertight. ● It must be no more than 18.5 inches wide to fit beneath the seat in front of you 13.5” wide, 8.5" long, and 8.5" high. (The Southwest logo carrier is 17" long, 10.5" tall, and 10" wide.) "large.) Pets Travel Southwest Airlines - Southwest Pet check-in Check in utilizing any of Southwest's alternatives, including online, curbside, at a kiosk, or at the ticket counter. You will, however, need to check in your pet and pay their fare at the ticket counter.

2. Pets destined for in-cabin travel must go through security, just as you do. You will remove your dog or cat from her carrier and hold her in your arms as you pass through the screening device. Meanwhile, her carrier will be x- rayed with your other belongings. TSA and airline employees also have the right to search the carrier. When planning ahead for your pet's personal needs, make a note of where each airport's pet relief area is in proximity to your gate. Southwest Airlines stresses the fact that they will not hold a plane if you’re running late because the little Princess had to do her thing. They will fly away without you.