How travelling with a pet on United generally works
General guidance. Pet travel has strict, route-specific rules — always confirm the details for your exact trip.
Small pets that fit in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you may travel in the cabin; other animals travel as cargo where the route and conditions allow. United's cargo pet options are limited and route-specific, and warm- or cold-weather embargoes can apply to certain aircraft and destinations, so the same pet may be accepted on one routing and not another.
In-cabin pet spots per flight are limited and can't be added at the last minute. Arrange it as early as possible — well before you reach the airport.
Your carrier must meet United's size, ventilation and security rules, and your pet must be able to stand, turn and lie down comfortably inside. The wrong carrier can mean being turned away.
Destinations often require vaccination records, health certificates and sometimes import permits. These take time to obtain, so start early.
Trained service animals follow separate rules from pets and travel under United's own accessibility policy, usually with forms submitted in advance. Tell us your situation and we'll route it correctly.
Pet fees, accepted breeds, carrier limits, seasonal embargoes and country entry rules vary widely by route 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 United at a glance
General guidance — always confirm the exact rules for your route and pet.
Book the pet space first, buy the carrier second. In-cabin spots 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
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