- 05 Aug, 2025
Flying with United Airlines is not just about booking the flight; it is more than that. United Airlines aims to offer you the best flight of your life, especially when travelling with your pets. For the pet owner, the biggest concern is to carry their pet safely on the flight without making them afraid. Fortunately, United Airlines understands your concern and has flexible policies ensuring your pet does not feel insecure on the flight and can easily reach their destination. On the United Airlines flights, pets can travel in the cabin or hold accordingly. You might agree that knowing the police beforehand significantly affects the flight journey. Thus, you must go through the United Airlines pet policy before booking the flight. To help you out, below are the points that will help you acknowledge the United Airlines pet policy. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, and get ready to experience a great time with your pet in the sky.
Types of Pet Travel: Options on United Airlines
Travelling with a pet is not challenging with United Airlines. The Airline's pet policy makes flying with a pet smooth and convenient.
In-Cabin Pet Travel
For the pet travelling in the cabin, you must follow the United Airlines terms and conditions; otherwise, the airline might deny boarding. Below are the pointers for United Airlines in-cabin pet rules easily:
- Cats and dogs have the facility to travel with their owner in the United Airlines cabin.
- The pets should be inside the pet carrier throughout the flight, and the door must be locked. The pet must be placed under your seat from departure to flight arrival.
- Up to 6 pets can fly in United Airlines Economy Class on Boeing 767, Boeing 777, or Boeing 787 aircraft.
- For aircraft like the Airbus 319, Airbus 320, Boeing 737, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300ER, Bombardier CRJ, EMB 175, and EMB 145, no more than four pets can travel in United Airlines Economy Class.
- If your United Aircraft is among Airbus 319, Airbus 320, Boeing 737, Boeing 737-800 & 737-8, Boeing 737-900 & 737-9, Boeing 757-300ER, Bombardier CRJ, EMB 175, AAND EMB 145, you have the permission to bring up to 2 pets in the United Airlines Premium Cabins.
- The pets must be carried in a hard or soft-sided carrier. The size of the hard-sided carrier must be within 22 X 44 X 30 cm; however, the soft-sided carrier dimensions should not exceed 27 X 45 X 27 cm.
- For the United Airlines flights purchased before 26.04.2024, you need to pay 125 USD. If you travel with your pet in the cabin and the flight is purchased before 26.04.2024, you must pay around 150 USD for each trip.
PetSafe Program (Cargo Travel)
The United PetSafe program is an excellent program for pets travelling on airlines. Its primary focus is making flight travel effortless and safe. However, because of safety concerns and incidents, United Airlines has now restricted the PetSafe program to pets travelling with State Department Foreign Service Personnel (FSP), active-duty U.S. military personnel. Their partner can also benefit from pet travelling within the cargo. This applies to the flight route between Guam (GUM) and Honolulu (HNL).
Temperature Control, Animal Care, and Safety
In the following lines, you can get insight into the temperature control, animal care, and safety of pets on United Airlines flights:
- On the United Airlines flights, up to 2 pets are allowed per person.
- The passengers who carry two pets on United Airlines must purchase two seats.
- You should put your pet inside the pet carrier a few times at your home so that the pet doesn't find the pet carrier difficult. You should do it at least 2-3 weeks before the departure.
- The pet carrier must be aerated so the pet can spend time in it without any hurdles.
Restrictions by Breed, Size, and Temperature Limits
Necessary restrictions by breed, size, and temperature limits of United Airlines for pets are here:
- Dog breeds such as Affenpinscher, Bulldog, Pug, Tibetan Spaniel, Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff, Cao de Fila, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu, Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei, and others are prohibited from flying with United Airlines.
- If the cat breed is Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan or Persian, United Airlines will not entertain them for the flight.
- For the 100 series pet crate the size should be 21 X 16 X 15 in, and the pet crate weight should be 7 lb; for the 200 series, pet crate's size is: 28 X 20.5 X 21.5 in, and total create weight must be within 13 lb; for 300 series crate size is: 32 X 22.5 X 24 in, estimated crate weight is around 18 lb; for 400 series crate size is 36 X 25 X 27 in, total crate weight is 24; for 500 series, pet's crate dimension is 40 X 27 x 30 in, estimated create weight is 31 lb; and for 600/PP90 series, the pet crates weight should not be more than 52 X 32 X 32.5 in, while the total create weight must be within 47 lb.
- United Airlines does not entertain the pet carriers that exceed 34 inches in height or a 700-series carrier.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
U.S. DOT Rule Changes: Service animals can travel with United Airlines. Currently, United Airlines recognises emotional support animals as pets for the flight. No significant changes have recently been observed in the U.S. DOT Rules. However, any passengers travelling with a service dog must submit the DOT forms, ensuring the pet's and co-passengers' safety.
Current Policy on Emotional Support Animals
For a seamless journey with the United Airlines pet policy for Emotional Support Animals is here; please go through it:
- As per United Airlines' terms and conditions, emotional support animals such as dogs and cats should travel as pets, not service animals.
- The pet stroller of the pets needs to be checked in at the airport lobby. The airline will count it as part of your checked baggage allowance.
- If you purchased the flight before 26.04.2024, you must pay around 125 USD per pet fee. The pet flight travel fees are around 150 USD per flight segment for the flight booked on/before 26.04.2024.
- You can easily connect with the United Airlines support team for the in-depth emotional support animal policy.
Required Documents for Service Animals
Necessary documents for the service animals travelling with United Airlines are below:
- A health certificate issued by your vet is mandatory for service animals travelling with United Airlines and for flights in the USA.
- If you are travelling outside the USA, it might be possible that a health certificate must be presented upon arrival at the airport.
- The health certificate must consist of your pet's breed, age, colour, sex, and markings.
- Also, information about the recent vaccines and vaccination dates must be mentioned.
- For dogs, the airlines need to see the Rabies vaccination certificates.
- A CDC dog import permit is crucial for the United Airlines flight.
Booking Pet Travel with United Airlines
How to Reserve a Spot for Your Pet
You can reserve a flight with United Airlines at least 48 hours before departure. Moreover, if the pet travels in the cargo, you must book the flight at least 5- 10 days before departure. Here is the process through which you can book a flight for your pet:
Booking Online
Below are pointers that will help you with Flying with pets United Airlines booking process:
- Go to the United Airlines site.
- You should find the flight booking form here.
- Fill out your details and look for the additional services.
- Here, enter the information about your pet.
- Choose the flight payment mode which you prefer and pay the charges.
- You will get the confirmation about the flight booking.
Through Customer Service
You can easily book a flight with your pet by contacting the United Airlines customer service team. You have the permission to dial their helpline number, or you can directly go to United Airlines' nearest office. Share your information along with the pet and ask the airlines to book the flight for you. To reserve the flight, you have to pay the flight booking cost. You will get the flight details when you pay the flight charges.
Required Documents & Health Certificates
Have a look at the United pet travel requirements relevant to the documents & health certificate that are needed by United Airlines for pet travelling:
- A rabies certificate is necessary for a dog or cat travelling with United Airlines.
- At least 28 days before the departure, the rabies vaccination must be completed.
- The rabies certificate is essential regardless of the flight routes.
- Before flying with United Airlines, consult your vet for your pet's health certificate.
Fees and Cost Breakdown
In-Cabin Pet Travel Fee: The fees are 125 USD each for flights booked before 26.04.2024. For each segment of a United Airlines flight booked on/after 26.04.2024, you must pay the airline 150 USD as a pet fee. The fees apply to dogs and cats. United Airlines does not accept travel credit cards as payment for the pet flight fees. You can book the flight online or offline.
Pet Cargo Pricing Structure: Pet charges for United Airlines cargo vary depending on the flight route, breed, number of pets, size of the pet carrier, and other additional services included in the ticket. To learn the pet fees, you can contact the airline's contact centre, and they will guide you through the fee structure.
Restrictions and Limitations
Breed Restrictions
1. Dogs Breed Restrictions
Adult dogs & puppies of the breeds Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano, Pyrenean, Spanish, Pekingese, Staffordshire Bull Terrier/"Staffys, Shih-Tzu, Bullmastiff and more are restricted from flying with United Airlines.
2. Cats Breed Restrictions
United Airlines does not allow adult cats and kittens of the Himalayan, Persian, Burmese, and Exotic Shorthair breeds to travel in their cargo.
International Pet Travel with United Airlines
Destinations allowed
Pets have the right to travel with United Airlines if the flight route is from Guam to Tokyo-Narita or to the U.S. mainland. The flight must be managed by United or United Express. Moreover, the airlines does not allows you to travel with your pet on the flight route returning to Guam.
Additional documentation for international flights
For international flights with United Airlines, required additional document for a pet is discussed here; walk through it:
- If you are travelling with your pet to an international destination, United Airlines will require a health certificate.
- A signed acknowledgement form from the pet owner must be filled out.
- A rabies certificate is essential for the cats and dogs travelling with United Airlines. A certified vet must share the certificate.
- The certificate should be no longer than 10 days before the departure.
Tips for a Smooth Journey with Your Pet
Pre-flight prep (food, water, carrier training): Do not forget to feed your pet a few hours before departure. The pet carrier should have water and food for your pet. Additionally, if the pet gets used to being in the pet carrier, it will not feel irritated during the flight. Therefore, you should acquire a pet carrier at least 2-3 weeks before the flight’s departure and keep the pet in the carrier. This will help them to acclimate soon.
At the airport: As you appear at the airport, you need to go to the United Airlines' ticket counter and check in quickly. You have to show your flight confirmation number along with the pet' conformation number to the United Airlines agent. Later, United Airlines will give you a special bag tag for your pet’s carrier. Pet relief areas are available at the airport where pets can use the bathroom.
During the flight: Pet owners are advised to place their pets inside a closed pet carrier for safety purposes. The pet carrier should comply with United Airlines' pet policy. This is vital for putting the pet under your seat on the flight.
FAQs – United Airlines Pet Policy
1. Can I bring more than one pet?
You are allowed to carry up to 2 pets on most United Airlines flights. To accommodate this, you should purchase two seats so that you can share the space equally. If you need further help, you can interact with the United Airlines team.
2. What if my pet is too large for the cabin?
If the pet is not eligible for travel in the United Airlines cabin, it can travel with United Airlines unless it is travelling with active US military or State Department personnel.
3. Are emotional support animals still allowed?
Currently, United Airlines does not support emotional support animals' service. However, all emotional support animals are permitted to travel as pets. Nevertheless, a trained service dog can travel as a service animal on United Airlines flights.
Conclusion
United Airlines offers a wide range of flight services, one of which is flying with your favourite furry friend. If you have never travelled with your pet with United Airlines, you can read the information in the above lines. You can search the United Airlines FAQs section on their official site for further details. Happy travelling!
