United Airlines Pet Policy
United Airlines pet policy allows the transportation of certain pets:
- In the cabin on select flights
- In the checked baggage section
(currently suspended except for military personnel on PCS orders) - As cargo baggage
The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by aircraft, so call United Airlines as soon as you confirm your travel plans. Trained service dogs are allowed to travel for free in the cabin with passengers who have a disability.
United Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy
What is United Airlines carry-on pet policy?
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 domesticated 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
- Domestic flights (incl. Puerto Rico). Puppies and kittens must be at least 2 months old.
- International flights. Puppies and kittens must be at least 4 months old and fully weaned.
- 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).
- The maximum height of the pet carrier on Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft must not exceed 25cm/10in.
- 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.
- Pet Reservations.
- Can be made by phone () and online (when booking) or later via My trips (Pets in cabin).
- Must reserve in advance because a limited number of pets are accepted on each flight (only 4 in-cabin pets per flight are allowed in the Economy Class cabin).
- 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 Cost—In-Cabin Pets
- 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.
- Restrictions
- Route Restrictions. Pets are not accepted in the cabin on flights to/from/via the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Tahiti, South Africa, Panama, India, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia.
- Aircraft Restrictions. United does not accept pets in the First or Business Class on the following aircraft due to under-seat space restrictions: Boeing 787, 757-200, 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 under-seat space limitations. Passengers travelling on Boeing 757-200 aircraft must occupy a window seat due to limited space under middle and aisle seats.
- Number of Pets Allowed
- Up to 4 pets per flight on Economy Class narrow-body aircraft (incl. Boeing 737 and 757 and Airbus 319/320).
- Up to 6 pets per flight on wide-body aircraft (incl. Boeing 767, 777, and 787).
- Only 1 pet per carrier is permitted, but 2 household birds are allowed inside a single pet carrier.
- 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 Cargo Pets
What is United Airlines pet shipping policy?
| Note. The transport of pets as cargo under the PetSafe Program is temporarily 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 to about 300 destinations. The temperature and pressure conditions in this section are the same as those in the aircraft cabin.
- Pets Allowed. Cats and dogs.
- 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 at 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 be 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 as cargo baggage:
- On flights to Nigeria, Lagos, Australia, India, or Dubai.
- On flights from Chengdu, Beijing, and Seoul.
Tip. 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. They include:
- Brussels Griffon
- Boxer
- Boston Terrier
- Belgian Malinois
- American Staffordshire Terrier/”Amstaff”
- American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull
- American Bully
- Affenpinscher
- Bulldog
- American Bulldog
- English Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Old English Bulldogges
- Shorty Bulldogs
- Spanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Alano Espanol
- Lhasa Apso
- Japanese Chin/Japanese Spaniel
- English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Mastiff
- Tosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Spanish Mastiff / Mastin Espanol
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary Mastiff
- Pakastani Mastiff/Bully Kutta
- Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano
- Kangal/Turkish Kangal
- Indian Mastiff/Alangu
- Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff/Cao de Fila
- English Mastiff
- Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff
- Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff
- Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff
- Ca de Bou/Mallorquin Mastiff
- Bullmastiff
- Boerboel/South African Mastiff
- American Mastiff
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Japanese Pug
- Dutch Pug
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier/”Staffys”
- Shih-Tzu
- Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei
- The following cat breeds are also not accepted: Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese.
- Brachycephalic dog breeds are not accepted for health reasons. They include:
- 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 Cost
- 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.
For information or assistance, call Pet Safe at 1-800-575-3335 or 1-832-235-1541.
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 physical, mental, intellectual, psychiatric, or sensory disabilities.
- 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.
- Your 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:
- If you have any questions or special needs, call United’s Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744.
Frequently Asked Questions on United Airlines Pet Policy
United Airlines allows cats, dogs, small household birds, and rabbits to travel in the cabin on most domestic flights within the United States (except Hawaii). Larger pets can be shipped under United’s PetSafe Program as checked baggage (or as manifest cargo), but this service has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On international flights, the rules can vary by destination. For details, contact United Airlines Reservations by phone or visit the website.
Pets are not allowed to travel in the cabin on flights to/from/via the U.K., Trinidad, and Tobago, Tahiti, South Africa, Panama, India, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds and certain cat breeds (Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese) are not allowed to travel in the checked baggage section of the aircraft.
United’s pet policy applies only to flights operated by United and United Express. If you’re travelling on a codeshare flight, check with the airline.
Per United Airlines international pet policy for international flights, only cats and dogs are allowed to fly on select international flights in the aircraft cabin or as cargo baggage in the aircraft hold. The major points to remember are as follows:
• Puppies and kittens must be at least 4 months old and fully weaned.
• All health documentation and certificates required by the destination country must be in order.
• Pets will not be accepted in the cabin on flights to/from/via the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Tahiti, South Africa, Panama, India, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia.
• For pets travelling in the cabin, the size of the pet carrier must not exceed:
◦ Hard-sided carriers 44cm x 30cm x 19cm (L x W x H).
◦ Soft-sided carriers 46cm x 28cm x 28cm (L x W x H).
• For pets travelling in the cargo hold section of the aircraft, the following conditions apply:
◦ Pets must travel under the PetSafe program (temporarily suspended) if they are too large to travel in the cabin.
◦ All forms required by the destination country must be in order, i.e.:
▪ Rabies shots must be administered at least 30 days before travel.
▪ A health certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure.
▪ The Customer Acknowledgement Form must be signed by the pet owner.
▪ A photograph of the front side of the pet crate proving IATA compliance.
▪ A close face shot of the pet must be submitted for breed verification.
◦ The maximum weight of the pet can range from 2lb/1kg to 770lb/350kg.
◦ The pet carrier must be large enough for the pet to be comfortable in.
◦ The pet carrier must have food and water dishes securely attached inside so that they can be filled from outside.
◦ Pets will not be accepted as cargo baggage on flights to Nigeria, Lagos, Australia, India, or Dubai; and on flights from Chengdu, Beijing, and Seoul.
◦ Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds will not be accepted.
◦ Pet reservations must be made through an IATA agent (IPATA.org) 5 – 30 days before departure.
◦ Flights exceeding 12 hours require comfort stops and must be paid for.
◦ Pets will not be accepted on any itinerary involving more than 2 layovers.
United Airlines allows small dogs, cats, household birds (except cockatoos), and rabbits to travel in the passenger cabin. Other/larger pets must be transported under United’s PetSafe Program.
You can make pet reservations on United Airlines online or by phone. If you’re traveling with a pet in the cabin, be sure to book in advance because the space is subject to availability.
United Airlines pet policy (cargo) applies to pets travelling as cargo baggage. Under this policy, pets that are too large or heavy to travel in the cabin, or pets travelling unaccompanied, can travel under the PetSafe Program. However, this program is currently unavailable because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be eligible to travel, the pet must be between 2lb/1kg and 770lb/350kg, and at least 10 weeks old (16 weeks if travelling into the U.S.). Your pet’s health certificate must have been issued within 10 days of travel, and the rabies certificate must show that the rabies shot was administered at least 30 days before departure. Brachycephalic dog breeds and certain cat breeds (Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese) are not allowed due to health reasons.
You must book your pet 5 – 30 days before travel. The pet cost/fee will depend on your route and can be accessed from this page. However, if your pet’s flight exceeds 12 hours, a comfort stop is a must. Also, cats and dogs will not be accepted on itineraries that involve more than 2 layovers.
For more details, refer to the section titled United Airlines Pet Policy for Pets in Cargo.
United Airlines does not accept pets in the cabin on flights to, from, or through Hawaii.
United Airlines ESA pet policy has changed. Emotional support animals are no longer allowed to travel free of cost with their owners. However, they can travel on a paid basis if they meet United Airlines’ pet policy requirements.
United Airlines carry-on pet policy allows you to travel with small domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits, and small household birds (except cockatoos) in the cabin on continental U.S. flights (except Hawaii), subject to weight and size restrictions. To b e eligible for travel, cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old (within the U.S. and Puerto Rico), healthy, and fully weaned. Plus, they must travel in an airline-approved pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of yours.
United Airlines pet cost for in-cabin travel is USD 125 per way. The pet fee can be paid at the check-in counter at the time of checking in. An additional fee of USD 125 will be charged on flights with a layover of more than 4 hours on domestic routes and more than 24 hours on international flights.
Under United Airlines pet policy for military personnel, any active-duty U.S. military personnel travelling (and spouses) on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) are allowed to transport pet dogs and cats on flights to or from an international destination.
Your pet will be allowed to travel in the passenger cabin with you if your pet:
• Is a domesticated cat, dog, rabbit, or a household bird such as a parakeet, finch, or canary.
• Is at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
• Is not travelling to/from/through the U.K., Trinidad and Tobago, Tahiti, South Africa, Panama, India, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia.
• Can remain comfortably inside its carrier and under the seat throughout the journey.
• Is travelling in a carrier that is made specifically for transporting animals.
• Has all its papers and vaccinations in order.
The service has been temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, except for active-duty military personnel and their spouses travelling on PCS orders.
Under normal conditions, your pet would be allowed to travel as checked baggage if:
• Your pet is a domesticated dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, household bird, guinea pig, etc.
• Your pet dog/cat is at least 2lb/1kg and 8 weeks old for domestic travel and at least 16 weeks old if travelling into the U.S.
• Your pet dog or cat must be fully weaned.
• Your pet’s carrier/kennel complies with the airline’s requirements.
• Your pet’s health documents comply with the destination city’s requirements.
• Your pet is not travelling:
◦ To Nigeria, Lagos, Australia, India, or Dubai.
◦ From Chengdu, Beijing, and Seoul.
• Your pet is not travelling to/from May 1 through September 15 to Tuscon, Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas; or to Shanghai or Chengdu in China between June 15 and September 15 (due to extreme heat).
• You book at least 5 – 30 days before departure.
• Your itinerary does not include more than 2 layovers.
• Your flight has a comfort stopover if it exceeds 12 hours.
If you’re comfortable sending your pet as unaccompanied cargo baggage, or if your pet does not qualify to travel in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage, you can have your pet shipped as cargo. To make a booking or for information, call United Airlines Cargo at 1-800-UA-CARGO.
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