Bringing your beloved furry companions along on your travels can be an exciting adventure. United Airlines understands this bond and has established clear guidelines to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for both pets and passengers. Whether you’re traveling with a loyal canine or a curious feline, here’s what you need to know about United Airlines pet travel policy.

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United Airlines Pet Travel Policy and Rules

United Airlines has specific rules for carrying pets onboard. If you are planning to travel with your furry companions, you will have to abide by the United Airlines pet policy that is mentioned below:

United Airlines permits cats and dogs to travel in the cabin when space is available.
Unfortunately, no other pets are allowed with you in the cabin.
Each passenger can bring up to two pets, but if you’re traveling with two, you’ll need to purchase two seats to accommodate them both. The second seat must be adjacent to your assigned seat so you can care for both pets during the flight.
Your pet must travel in either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Only service animals are allowed to fly without a United Airlines pet carrier.
For domestic flights within the U.S., pets must be at least two months old.
For international travel, your pet needs to be at least four months old.

Size and Weight Allowance for Pets on United Airlines

There are no specific weight or breed limitations for pets traveling in-cabin. However, they must fit comfortably in their carriers under the seat. Your pets are allowed to be carried on either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier on board. Here are the size limitations of the carriers allowed-

The dimensions of the Hard side carrier must be height- 9 inches (22 cm), length- 17.5 inches (44 cm), width- 12 inches (30 cm).
The dimensions of the Soft side carrier must be, height- 11 inches (27 cm), length- 18 inches (45 cm), width- 11 inches (27 cm).

*Larger pets may need to travel as United Airlines pet cargo.

Countries Allowing United Airlines Pet Travel

Some countries have strict rules regarding pet travel. Ensure you have all necessary paperwork and proof of vaccination before departure. The United Airlines pet policy international flights are almost similar however, you must check for the country where pets are allowed to travel via United Airlines.

Here are the countries where United does not allow pets to travel on board:

Australia
Barbados
Brazil
Cuba
French Polynesia (Tahiti)
Guam
Guyana
Hawaii
Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Jamaica
Marshall Islands
Micronesia, Federated States of
New Zealand
Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)
Palau
Philippines
Saint Kitts and Nevis
South Africa
Sweden
Trinidad and Tobago
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
United Kingdom

Note: You can carry pets from Guam to Tokyo-Narita, but you can not bring pets back to Guam.

Planes in Which Pets Can Travel

United Airlines allows pets in the cabin on most flights by following United pet policy. However, some aircraft have restrictions due to cabin size or other factors, so here are the pet allowance on different aircraft types:

If you are carrying up to 2 pets that are allowed in premium cabins of these planes:

Airbus 319
Airbus 320
Boeing 737
Boeing 757-300ER
Bombardier CRJ
EMB 175
EMB 145

If you are carrying up to 4 pets that are allowed in the Economy of these planes:

Airbus 319
Airbus 320
Boeing 737
Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757-300ER
Bombardier CRJ
EMB 175
EMB 145

If you are carrying up to 6 pets that are allowed in the Economy of these planes:

Boeing 767
Boeing 777
Boeing 787

Note: If you are traveling on a Boeing 737 Max 9, your pet must not exceed the height of 10 inches.

If you are traveling in an economy cabin of Boeing 757-200 you need to book a window seat for the carrier to fit under the seat.

Fees For Carrying Pets Onboard United Airlines

If you are traveling with pets on board you will have to pay a fee for them both on domestic as well as on an international flight. The fee charged varies based on the date of ticket purchase. For tickets bought before April 26, 2024, the fee is $125 each way. For tickets purchased on or after that date, the fee is $150 each way. If your flight has layovers, you will be charged an additional $125 for each layover of more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally. You can not use Travel Credits to pay for the United Airlines pet fee.

How To Book Pets On United Airlines?

If you are willing to travel with pets on United Airlines, you must first book them into your itinerary. Traveling with your furry companion can be a delightful experience, and United Airlines ensures that your pet’s journey is safe and comfortable. Whether you’re planning a domestic getaway or an international adventure, here’s how you can book your pet’s ticket with United Airlines.

1) During Booking

When booking your flight on United’s official website, you’ll have the option to add your pet to the reservation.

Look for the “Travel with a pet” checkbox during the booking process.
Indicate whether you’re traveling with a cat or a dog. United Airlines allows in-cabin travel for cats and dogs when space is available.
At the time of booking, a service fee will be charged for traveling with your pet.
Once you’ve completed the booking, your pet’s spot is reserved. You’ll receive confirmation along with your own flight details.

2) After Booking

If you’ve already booked your flight and forgot to add your pet, don’t worry! Here, we have mentioned the steps via which you can add your pets to your itinerary:

Visit the “My Trips” section on the official website of United Airlines.
Locate your existing reservation and select the option to add a pet.
Follow the prompts to provide the necessary details about your furry friend.

For international trips, you will have to call the toll-free number mentioned below to add your pet to your reservation.

United Airlines Allowance For Service Animals

United Airlines recognizes the vital role that service animals play in assisting passengers with disabilities. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with service animals on United Airlines:

1) Eligibility

The only service animals permitted on United and United Express flights are dogs over 4 months old who are trained to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability.
These tasks can include physical assistance, sensory support, psychiatric aid, or other forms of assistance required by the passenger.

2) Types of Animals Allowed

Service dogs are allowed by United Airlines flying with pets with their owners or service dogs in training flying with their trainers to travel on their flights free of charge.
All other animals, including cats and dogs, are considered pets and must adhere to United’s pet travel policies.

3) Booking Requirements

If you’re traveling with a service animal, you’ll need to complete specific Department of Transportation (DOT) forms.
These forms collect essential information about your service animal, including weight, breed, vaccination details, and vet information.
For domestic flights within the U.S., you can complete these forms online if you have a MileagePlus® account. Otherwise, use the accessible PDF versions.
For flights to Hawaii and Guam and all international flights, you must print and carry the forms along with you during your trip.

Summary:

Travelling with pets you can enjoy your trip if you have properly followed the United Airlines pet travel policy. These policies are the pillars of the pet travel process, and once you have read the policy, you will have no trouble adding your pet to your itinerary. If you still have any trouble, you can contact us directly via the toll-free number mentioned below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) What if my pet needs to relieve itself?
When completing the forms, you’ll attest that your service dog will not relieve themselves at the gate or on the plane if your service dog needs to relieve themselves while at the airport, use the United app to locate a designated animal relief area.

2) What paperwork do I need for pet travel?
Ensure you have all necessary paperwork, including proof of vaccination. Some countries have strict rules, so check requirements before departure.

3) What should I pack in my pet-friendly travel kit?
Pack essentials like a collapsible water bowl, leash, treats, and plastic bags. Familiar items, such as a favorite toy or blanket, can help keep your pet calm during the flight.

4) Are there pet relief areas at airports?
Many airports have designated pet relief areas. Use the United app’s airport maps feature to locate them.

5) How do I check in with my pet at the airport?
Check in at the ticket counter with both your own and your pet’s confirmation numbers. You’ll receive a special bag tag for your pet’s carrier.

United Airlines Pet Travel Policy