United Airlines allows certain pets to travel:
- In the cabin on certain flights
- In the checked baggage section
(currently suspended except for military personnel on PCS orders) - As cargo baggage
United Airlines Pet Policy for In-Cabin Pets
Does my pet qualify for travel in the passenger cabin?
United Airlines in-cabin pet policy applies only to flights operated by United Airlines and United Express. If you’re travelling on multiple flights, you must check with each airline individually.
- Pets Allowed. United accepts small dogs, cats, small household birds (except cockatoos), and rabbits on continental U.S. flights (except Hawaii).
- Forms Required. Your pet must have the following documentation:
- Rabies certificate administered at least 30 days before the flight.
- Health certificate.
- Pet Age. Must be least 8 weeks old for travel within the United States and Puerto Rico.
- Pet Carrier Requirements.
- Hard-sided carriers/kennels must not be more than 44cm long, 30cm wide, 19cm high (15.5in x 12in x 7.5in).
- Soft-sided carriers/kennels must not be more than 46cm long, 28cm wide, and 28cm high (18in x 11in x 11in).
- Must be an approved airline pet carrier.
- Must have a waterproof bottom.
- Must be adequately ventilated and securely fastened.
- Must have enough space for the pet to be comfortable in.
- Restrictions
- Route Restrictions. Pets are not accepted in the cabin on flights to/from/via United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Tahiti, South Africa, Panama, India, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia.
- Aircraft Restrictions. United does not accept pets in the First or Business Class on the following aircraft due to space restrictions: Boeing 747, 757, 767, and 777.
- Seating Restrictions. Passengers travelling with pets are not allowed to occupy bulkhead or exit row seats, as well as Premium Plus seats due to space limitations. Passengers travelling a on Boeing 757-200 aircraft must occupy a window seat.
- Only 1 pet per carrier is permitted, but 2 household birds are allowed inside a single pet carrier.
- Pet Reservations.
- Can be made by phone (1-800-864-8331) and online (when booking) or later via My trips.
- Must reserve in advance because a limited number of pets are accepted on each flight (only 4 pets per flight are allowed in Economy Class).
- Check-in Requirements. You must check in at the passenger counter and your pet carrier will count as a piece of carry-on baggage.
- Pet Fee
- The pet fee charged by United Airlines is USD 125.
- The pet fee is payable at the reservations counter at the time of check-in.
- An additional fee of USD 125 will be charged on flights with layovers exceeding 4 hours in the United States and more than 24 hours on flights outside of the United States.
- Service Dogs. Can travel free with passengers who have a qualifying disability.
- Other Restrictions.
- Must travel with an adult responsible for the pet.
- Must always remain inside the pet carrier/kennel at the airport, in the boarding area, and on the plane.
- Must stay at your feet, under the seat in front of you.
- Must travel under the PetSafe program if it doesn’t fit in a carrier/kennel.
United Airlines Pet Policy for Pets in Cargo
What is United Airlines checked pet policy?
Note. The transport of pets as cargo under the PetSafe Program is currently unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If your dog or cat is too large to travel in the cabin or is travelling unaccompanied, you can book your pet under the PetSafe Program, where pets can travel in the cargo hold section of the aircraft.
- Pets Allowed. Cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, household birds, guinea pigs, etc.
- Forms Required. Your pet must have all the documentation required by the destination country if you’re travelling internationally.
- Proof of rabies certificate administered no less than 30 days before travel.
- Health certificate, issued within 10 days of departure.
- Customer Acknowledgement Form signed by the pet owner.
- Photograph of pet crate (front side) showing that it is IATA-compliant.
- A close-up photograph of the pet’s face for breed verification.
- Pet Age
- Must be least 8 weeks old (and 2lb/1kg heavy) for travel within the United States and Puerto Rico. If your pup or kitten is under 2lb, it must be at least 10 weeks old.
- Must be at least 16 weeks old to travel into the United States.
- Pet Crate Requirements.
- United Airlines allows 2 pups or kittens in the same carrier if they are:
- Of the same species.
- Under 6 months old.
- Not more than 20lb/9kg each.
- Small enough to be comfortable inside the carrier.
- United Airlines no longer allows Series 700 kennels.
- The top and bottom halves must be fastened by metal hardware.
- Must be ventilated on 3 sides on domestic flights and 4 sides on international flights.
- Can be made of metal, wood, or plastic.
- The height of the crate must not be more than 34in.
- The permissible weight limit is 2lb/1kg to 770lb/350kg.
- Must be large enough for your pet to be comfortable in all positions—standing upright, sitting erect, lying down, turning around.
- Must have food and water dishes securely attached inside so that they can filled from outside.
- United Airlines allows 2 pups or kittens in the same carrier if they are:
- Restrictions
- Aircraft Restrictions. United will not accept pets in the cargo hold on Boeing 787s until further notice.
- Route Restrictions. Pets are not accepted:
- On flights to Nigeria, Lagos, Australia, India, or Dubai.
- On flights from Chengdu, Beijing, and Seoul.
Do not fly your pet to Mexico City during weekends when customs offices are closed.
- Breed Restrictions
- Brachycephalic dog breeds are not accepted for health reasons.
- The following cat breeds are also not accepted: Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese.
- Temperature Restrictions
- United will not accept bookings between:
- May 1 and September 30 to Tuscon, Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas.
- June 15 and September 15 to Shanghai or Chengdu (China).
- United will not accept bookings between:
- Pet Reservations.
- Must be made 5 – 30 days before travel.
- International bookings must be made through an IATA agent (IPATA.org).
- Pick-up and Drop-off.
- Ask United Airlines for the location.
- Pet Fee
- The pet fee is route-dependent. Check this link for United pet cargo charges by route.
- The pet fee is payable when you pick up your pet.
- Comfort Stops
- If your pet’s flight exceeds 12 hours, comfort stops are required—and you must pay the applicable fee.
- Dogs and cats will not be accepted on itineraries involving more than 2 layovers.
Service Animals (Dogs)
United Airlines accepts trained service dogs (only) to travel in the cabin free of charge with qualified passengers (who have a disability).
- The service animal must be a dog and at least 4 months old.
- The service dog must be trained to assist people with a physical, mental, intellectual, psychiatric, or sensory disability.
- Dog trainers are allowed to bring 1 under-training service dog free of charge.
- Each qualified passenger can travel with up to 2 service dogs free of cost.
- The service dog must be properly harnessed/leashed.
- The service dog must be seated on the floor in front of your seat.
- The service dog should not stretch into the aisles.
- The service dog must follow the owner’s directions and behave properly.
- You service dog’s health and other documentation must be up-to-date and on hand, and must comply with the local regulations of your destination city/country.
- You cannot travel within 30 days of your service animal’s rabies shot.
- Therapy animals are not counted as service animals and must travel per United’s standard pet policy.
- United Airlines no longer transports emotional support animals.
- Forms. For each service dog, the following U.S. DOT forms are required at the airport:
- U.S. DOT Service Animal Training and Behavior Attestation Form
- U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form on flights exceeding 8 hours
- If you have any questions or special needs, call United’s Accessibility Desk at +1-844-903-1897.