Sometimes, pets can be the unexpected charm, lighting up your journey. Your beloved animals can be much easier to carry if you comply with the rules that the airline has outlined for you. United Airlines appreciates your bond and is willing to provide a journey that is memorable for you and your pets. Whether you’re traveling with a loyal canine or a curious feline, here’s everything you must be aware of about the United Airlines pet travel policy.
United Airlines Pet Travel Policy and Rules
United Airlines outlines various rules that are specific 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:
- Cats and dogs are allowed to travel on United Airlines when space is available inside the cabin.
- United does not allow any other pets with you in the cabin.
- Each passenger is allowed to bring up to two pets onboard. However, if you’re traveling with two, you’ll need to purchase two seats to accommodate them both. The second seat needs to be adjacent to your assigned seat so you can take care of both pets during the flight.
- You must carry your pets under the seat in front of you in either a soft-sided or hard-sided carrier, whichever fits.
- Only service animals are allowed to fly without a United Airlines pet carrier.
- For domestic flights within the U.S., the pet’s age must be at least two months old.
- For international flights, your pet needs to be a minimum age of four months old.
Size and Weight Allowance for Pets
United Airlines does not specify any weight or breed limitations for pets traveling in the 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
There are strict policies for pet travel in many countries. In order to travel with your pets in these countries, you must carry documented paperwork along with a vaccination certificate.
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 restricts 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 the United pet policy. However, some aircraft have restrictions due to cabin size or other factors, so here are the pet allowances 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
- EMB 175
- Bombardier CRJ
- EMB 145
- Boeing 737
- Boeing 757-300ER
If you are carrying up to 4 pets that are allowed in the Economy of these planes:
- Bombardier CRJ
- EMB 175
- EMB 145
- Airbus 319
- Airbus 320
- Boeing 757-200
- Boeing 757-300ER
- Boeing 737
If you are carrying up to 6 pets that are allowed in the Economy of these planes:
- Boeing 767
- Boeing 787
- Boeing 777
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.
- Tickets that are purchased before April 26, 2024, the pet fee charged for you will be $125 each way.
- For tickets purchased on or after that date, the fee is $150 each way.
If your flight has layovers, you will have to pay an additional $125 for each layover that will last longer than four hours for flights traveling throughout the U.S. If your flight has layovers of more than 24 hours on an international flight you will be charged the same price. You are not allowed to use Travel Credits to pay for the United Airlines pet fee.
How To Book Pets On United Airlines?
Your wish to travel with pets on United Airlines can come true, but first you must book them into your itinerary. Pets can make your journey exciting and delightful only if they are fully in control of the owner. No matter where you are traveling, here’s how you can book your pet’s ticket with United Airlines.
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.
- 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.
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
Service animals play an important role in assisting passengers with disabilities. And it’s an undeniable fact that every airline allows service animals without any questions. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with service animals on United Airlines:
Eligibility
- Service animals who are 4 months old or older are allowed on United Express and United Airlines flights. These animals must be trained for passengers with disability to perform specific tasks.
- These tasks can include physical assistance, sensory support, psychiatric aid, or other forms of assistance required by the passenger.
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.
Booking Requirements
- If you’re traveling with a service animal, you’ll need to complete specific Department of Transportation (DOT) forms.
- All the important information about your service animal like, breed, weight, vet information, and vaccination details are collected through these forms.
- 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:
You can enjoy your trip along with your pet fully only if you have properly followed the United Airlines travel pet policy. These policies are the pillars of the pet travel process, and once you have read the policy and the process of booking, 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, you can locate a designated animal relief area via the United app.
2) What paperwork do I need for pet travel?
You need to carry all the necessary paperwork, like proof of vaccination, age, breed, and any vet documentation. 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?
You can easily check-in via the counter with your own and your pet’s confirmation numbers. A special bag tag will be provided to you for your pet’s carrier.