How travelling with a pet on Southwest generally works
General guidance. Pet travel has strict, route-specific rules — always confirm the details for your exact trip.
Southwest generally accepts small cats and dogs that fit in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you, on domestic flights. Rules differ from other airlines, so confirm your specific trip.
Pet spaces per flight are limited and can't be added at the last minute. Arrange it as early as possible — well before you get to the airport.
Your carrier must meet Southwest's size and ventilation rules and your pet must fit and turn comfortably inside. The wrong carrier can mean being turned away at the gate.
Some destinations require vaccination records or health paperwork. For near-international routes especially, these take time to obtain, so start early.
Trained service animals follow separate rules from pets. Tell us your situation and we'll route it correctly.
Pet fees, carrier limits, per-flight capacity and country entry rules vary and change often — we never guess them. Call us with your trip and pet details and we'll confirm what's possible and book the space.
Pet travel on Southwest at a glance
General guidance — always confirm the exact rules for your route and pet.
Book the pet space first, buy the carrier second. Spaces per flight are limited and can't be added last-minute — confirm your pet is accepted on the route before you invest in a carrier and vet paperwork.
Frequently asked
Can my dog fly in the cabin with me on Southwest?+
What documents does my pet need?+
How far ahead do I need to arrange it?+
Do you charge to arrange pet travel?+
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