Whether you’re planning domestic or international travel, understanding United Airlines pet policy is crucial to ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey for both you and your pet.

In this article, we delve into the intricacies of United Airlines pet travel guidelines, offering you a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the skies with your pet.

What is United Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy?

The United Airlines pet in cabin policy is applicable to flights operated by United Airlines and United Express. These guidelines include – 

CategoryRequirement
Pets AllowedSmall domesticated dogs, cats, small household birds , and rabbits 
Pet AgeFor flights within the US – Puppies and kittens must be at least 2 months. For International flights, the puppies and kittens must be at least 4 months old 
Check-in requirementsMust complete the United Airlines check-in counter up to 2 hours before scheduled departure 
Number of Pets allowedUp to 4 pets per flight on Economy Class (Boeing 737, 757, Airbus 319/320)
Up to 6 pets per flight on Boeing 767, 777, 787
Changes/cancelationPassengers can request United Flight cancelation up to 24 hours before scheduled departure
Unaccompanied minorsMust complete the United Airlines check-in counter up to 2 hours before scheduled departure 

Pet carrier requirements – The united airlines pet carrier restrictions include – 

  • The size of hard-sided United Airlines in-cabin pet carrier size must exceed 44cm x 30cm x 19cm (15.5in x 12in x 7.5in), while soft-sided carriers/kennels should not exceed 46cm x 28cm x 28cm (18in x 11in x 11in). 
United Airlines Pet carrier requirements
  • On Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, the maximum height of the pet carrier must not go beyond 25cm/10in. 
  • Additionally, the carrier must be approved by the airline, have a waterproof bottom, proper ventilation, secure fastening.
  • Must provide sufficient space for the pet’s comfort.

Restrictions – The united airlines pet in cabin restrictions include – 

  • Route Restrictions – Pets are not permitted 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 – Pets are not allowed 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 traveling with pets cannot occupy bulkhead or exit row seats, as well as Premium Plus seats due to limited under-seat space.

How to book – To include your pet in your travel plans, simply choose the option “Travel with a pet” when booking through united.com. 

login united for pet policy booking
pet in-cabin on United airlines

Alternatively, you can visit the “My Trips” section to add a pet to an existing reservation. Follow these steps – 

  • Enter the Booking reference and the passenger’s last name.
  • Look for the specific option related to pet travel such as “Add Pet”.
  • You will be guided through the process of providing the necessary details about your pet and their travel requirements.
  • Follow the prompts and enter the required information.
  • Review the information you have entered and make any necessary adjustments or corrections.
  • Proceed to the next steps to complete the booking process for pet travel.
  • Make sure to review any additional fees associated with pet travel and provide payment information as required.

Finally, confirm the booking and save the changes to your existing United Airlines reservation.

Please note that adding a pet to your trip cannot be done through the United app.

Pet Fee – United Airlines Pet travel cost is $125 per trip. There is a pet travel fee for each layover exceeding 4 hours within the U.S. For international flights, the airline charges a fee of $125 for a 24 hour layover.

Documents required – For your pet to travel, certain documentation is required:

  • Rabies certificate should show that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to the flight.
  • A health certificate is necessary to confirm that your pet is in good health and fit for travel.

Does United Airlines allow pet travel as Checked Luggage?

As per United Airlines baggage policy, the airline does not permit pets in the checked baggage hold. 

What is United Airlines Pet Cargo Policy?

If your dog or cat is too big to travel in the cabin or is traveling without an accompanying passenger, you have the option to book your pet through the PetSafe Program. 

But Airlines have halted the PetSafe program except for Military and State department purposes. 

The guidelines under United Airlines pet policy include – 

CategoryRequirement
Pets AllowedCats and dogs
Age LimitMust be at least 8 weeks for travel within the US and Puerto Rico.

Puppies and kittens that are less than 2 lbs, must be at least 10 weeks old.

As per United Airlines Pet Policy cargo, pets must be at least 16 weeks to travel into the US
Aircraft restrictionsAs per United Airlines cargo pets policy, flight duration that exceeds 12 hours, must require Comfort Stops for pets. An additional United Airlines pet fee would be applicable. 
Route restrictionsNigeria, Lagos, Australia, India, or Dubai, as well as flights from Chengdu, Beijing, and Seoul.
Seasonal restrictions The airline does not accept United Airlines dog cargo services between  May 1 and September 30 for travel to and from Tucson, Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas.

The restriction also applies to/from Shanghai or Chengdu (China) between June 15 and September 15. 
Layover restrictionsDogs and cats are restricted to travel on a layover exceeding 2 hours, as per United Airlines pet  cargo policy. 
Comfort StopsDogs and cats are restricted to travel on a layover exceeding 2 hours, as per United Airlines pet cargo policy. 

Restricted breeds – The prohibited breeds for United Airlines dog travel include – 

Lhasa ApsoAmerican Pit Bull Terrier/Pit BullBrussels GriffonEnglish BulldogMastiff
Japanese Chin/Japanese SpanielAmerican BullyBoxerFrench BulldogTosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa
English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles SpanielAffenpinscherBoston TerrierOld English BulldoggesTibetan Mastiff
Chow ChowBulldogBelgian MalinoisShorty BulldogsSpanish Mastiff/Mastin Espanol
Cavalier King Charles SpanielAmerican BulldogAmerican Staffordshire Terrier/AmstaffSpanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Alano EspanolPyrenean Mastiff
Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary MastiffPakistani Mastiff/Bully KuttaNeapolitan Mastiff/Mastino NapoletanoKangal/Turkish KangalIndian Mastiff/Alangu
Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff/Cao de FilaEnglish MastiffDogue de Bordeaux/French MastiffDogo Argentino/Argentinian MastiffCane Corso/Italian Mastiff
Ca de Bou/Mallorquin MastiffBullmastiffBoerboel/South African MastiffAmerican MastiffPekingese
PugJapanese PugDutch PugTibetan SpanielStaffordshire Bull Terrier/Staffys
Shih-TzuShar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei

Required documentation – Here are the essential documents that you need for United Airlines pet travel as cargo – 

  • Proof of Rabies Certificate
  • Health Certificate
  • Customer Acknowledgement Form
  • Photograph of IATA-Compliant Pet Crate
  • Close-Up Photograph for Breed Verification:

United Airlines pet carrier restrictions – As per United Airlines pet policy, the airline accepts a variety of crate types for pet travel on most of their aircraft. 

United Airlines pet carrier restrictions

If your dog is slightly larger and cannot fit in a 40″ L x 27″ W x 30″ H crate (500 sizes), United allows crates with a maximum height of 34″ (including 600/PP90 size) or 500-sized crates with a 3-inch extension kit on mainline aircraft.

  • United Airlines allows two pups or kittens of the same species to travel together in the same carrier.
  • They must be under 6 months old and not exceed 20 lb/9 kg each in weight.
  • United Airlines no longer allows Series 700 kennels for pet travel.
  • The top and bottom halves of the kennel must be fastened securely using metal hardware.
  • The kennel must be properly ventilated on three sides for domestic flights and four sides for international flights.
  • Materials such as metal, wood, or plastic are acceptable for the construction of the kennel.
  • The height of the kennel must not exceed 34 inches.

The kennel should be spacious enough for your pet to stand upright, sit erect, lie down, and turn around comfortably.

kennel or crate dimension on United airlines.

What are the Rules and Requirements of Military Pet Travel?

Here are the key details:

  • Active duty U.S. military personnel on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, including retirement/separation orders, and State Department Foreign Service Personnel (FSP) on current reassignment.
  • The said policy would not be applicable to military personnel on leave or traveling for leisure.
  • This policy is applicable only to travel segments and flights operated by United Airlines, excluding United Express flights, and codeshare flights.
  • Booking must be made via email at [email protected], and the passenger itinerary must be provided at the time of pet reservation.

The other conditions include – 

CategoryRequirement
Pets LimitUp to 4 pets per household are accepted on flights from Guam to Honolulu

2 pets per household are accepted on flights from Honolulu to Guam (HNL to GUM).
Weight limitThe total weight of each pet and their transport crate must not exceed 99.9 pounds.
Restricted BreedsBreeds embargoes apply. Check here. 
Device restrictionGPS/Tracking devices are not allowed inside or on the pet crate.

Required documentation – You must meet the following requirements under united airlines pet policy for Military travel – 

  • Health Certificate must be dated within 10 days of travel, with the owner’s name on the certificate matching the name on PCS orders.
  • Active PCS Orders must be presented, and the name on the orders must match the health certificate.
  • Signed Acknowledgement Form that must match the name on PCS orders and the health certificate.

What are United Airlines Pets as Service Animals Requirements?

This comes under United Airlines service dog policy where the airline allows trained service animals to travel in the cabin free of charge with passengers who have a disability.

Here is the overview of the type of service animals and their function – 

Animal TypeDescription
Service AnimalsTrained dogs aid individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive, and other disabilities.
Therapy AnimalsPets registered with a therapy organization that visit nursing homes, hospitals, and schools
Emotional Support AnimalsThese are pets that offer companionship and support to their owners, helping to alleviate anxiety or depression
Delta airlines pet as service animals

The other conditions include – 

Service Animal RequirementsDetails
Animal TypeDog
Minimum AgeAt least 4 months old
Assistance TrainingMust be trained to assist people with physical, mental, intellectual, psychiatric, or sensory disabilities
Dog Trainer AllowanceDog trainers can bring 1 under-training service dog free of charge
Number of Service Dogs per PassengerEach qualified passenger can travel with up to 2 service dogs free of cost

Code of Conduct for Service Animals – Here are the key points to remember – 

  • The service dog should be seated on the floor in front of the owner’s seat.
  • The service dog must not extend into the aisles.
  • The service dog must obey the owner’s instructions and display appropriate behavior.
  • Ensure your service dog has updated health and documentation that complies with local regulations.
  • Travel is prohibited within 30 days of the service animal receiving a rabies shot.

Note that therapy animals are subject to United’s standard pet policy and are not considered service animals.

Restriction – As per United Airlines ESA dog policy, the airline no longer permits the transportation of emotional support animals.

Documents required – To ensure compliance and smooth travel for service dogs on United Airlines, you must submit – 

How to book – If you plan to travel with a service dog, it’s important to inform United Airlines in advance. The process may vary depending on whether you are traveling domestically or internationally.

  • For domestic travel – When traveling within the United States, you have two convenient options to inform United Airlines about your service dog:
  • During the Booking Process – While booking your ticket, make sure to check the service animal option when entering your traveler information.
  • After Booking – Once you have completed your ticket reservation, you can still add your service animal to your trip. Simply access your trip details and select the option to add a service animal.
  • For international travel – For international flights, which include destinations like Hawaii and Guam, specific rules and regulations may apply. Therefore, it is necessary to contact United Airlines’ accessibility desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add your service dog to your trip. 

The United Airlines pet policy has implemented stringent safety measures to ensure the well-being of pets during air travel. This includes temperature-controlled cargo holds and trained staff who prioritize the care and handling of animals.

Furthermore, United Airlines requires proper documentation and health certificates to ensure the health and safety of all passengers, both human and animal.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

How much to fly a dog on United Airlines?

United Airlines charges a fee of $125 each way for in-cabin pets, while the fees for pets traveling as cargo vary based on factors like weight and destination.

What are the requirements for flying with your dog on United Airlines?

You must have a suitable pet carrier that meets the airline’s specifications, and provide required documentation such as health certificates and vaccination records.

Does United Airlines allow pets in the cabin on international flights?

Yes, United Airlines allows pets in the cabin on route between Honolulu and Guam.

What is United Airlines’ pet policy when traveling to Hawaii?

There are specific restrictions on pets traveling to Hawaii due to the state’s regulations.  It is important to contact customer service for detailed information.

Does United Airlines allow dogs?

Yes. Dogs can be accommodated either in the cabin or as cargo and are subject to size and weight restrictions.

How to ship a dog on United Airlines?

The airline has temporarily suspended shipping arrangements for animals.

How much does United Airlines charge for pets?

It is recommended to check with the airlines directly or refer to their official website for the most accurate and up-to-date United Airlines pet fee.

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5 thoughts on “United Airlines Pet Policy
  1. Aminah Santos on Reply

    If my pug is an emotional support animal, is it allowed to be in the cabin with me if I’m flying to Guam?

  2. Jessica Ward on Reply

    I called your contact number provided to obtain further info about booking my dog on your airline to St. Croix via cargo (she is 50lbs and too big for cabin). I was told only in-cabin pets are allowed on United. This is contrary to the information on your page here. Can you please clarify your policy?

  3. celestino feliciano on Reply

    i trying to boo my pet dog on one of your cargo flights from puerto rico to the state of texas. he is a lab. retriever mix
    his name is negrito feliciano and his weight is 60 lbs and combined with the kennel the total weight is 95 lbs
    he is 36 L x 30H.

  4. celestino feliciano on Reply

    IM TRYING TO BOOK MYRT DOG ON A FLIGHT WITH ARI CARGO ON ONE OF YOUR FLIGHTS BETWEEN APRIL 28 29 OR 30
    MY DOGS NAME IS NEGRITO FELICIANO HE IS A LB MIX
    HE WEIGHS 60LBS AND COMBINED WITH HIS KENNEL 95LBS
    HIS HIGHT IS 30″H X 36″L
    HE IS 2YRS OLD

  5. Jeannie on Reply

    Hi, we would like to know if united pet cargo is back up and running since Covid shut down.
    Looking at importation from Springfield, MO to Edmonton Canada 🇨🇦 end of August. If so, what would the cost be? For an 8-10 week Schipperke puppy.

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