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When transporting a pet via a commercial airline, it is crucial to comprehend what they will necessitate in order to fly your pet. Pet policies differ across various airlines. Some permit smaller pets to travel in the cabin while others do not. It is essential to acknowledge that the regulations of the airline operating your pet’s journey will take precedence over those of the airline that owns the route. Below are the policies regarding pets for United Airlines.
Types of services available for pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets that travel in the cabin must be accompanied by an adult passenger and kept in a compliant
carrier stowed beneath the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets flying with a passenger that cannot be accommodated in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo bay.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to destinations that mandate entry as air cargo will be transported as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet ride with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet accompany me as checked baggage? No (Military on PSC Orders Only)
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No
Where is United Airlines headquartered?
United Airlines operates from Houston–Intercontinental Airport and has additional hubs in Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Guam, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington–Dulles.
Which countries does United Airlines service?
United Airlines serves over 210 destinations in the U.S. and more than 120 international destinations, including places worldwide in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean, North and South America including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are simply too many to enumerate here. Refer to Route restrictions below.
United Airlines Pet Policies – In Cabin
Pets permitted on United Airlines in the cabin
United and United Express allow small domesticated cats and dogs to travel in the cabin on flights within the continental United States. Two pets per passenger are permitted. An additional seat must be bought for the second pet.
Bookings
You must inform United Airlines that you are traveling with a pet. Reservations can be made online or by contacting customer service. We recommend making your airline reservations as early as possible since there is a limited
number of pets allowed in the cabin of each flight. Passengers with pets are also prohibited from sitting in bulkhead seats or exit row seats.
Age restrictions
All pet dogs and cats traveling with United Airlines must be at least 2 months old for domestic flights (within the United States). Pets must be at least 4 months old for international travel. Rabies vaccinations need to be given no earlier than 3 months of age and a minimum waiting period of 28 days must be observed. This waiting period will differ based on the destination country.
Pet carrier specifications
Carriers may be rigid or flexible and must include a waterproof bottom, sufficient ventilation, and secure fasteners. (Preferably zippers.) The maximum dimensions for hard-sided crates are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 9 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 22 cm). The maximum dimensions for soft-sided crates are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). (Ten inches when flying on a Boeing 737 MAX 9.)
Related: Choosing an airline-compliant pet carrier
Required documents
Health certificates are recommended for domestic flights within the United States and mandatory for international flights. All necessary documentation required by destination countries must be ready at check-in.
Related: Instructions and documents for bringing a pet to over 220 countries globally.
Route limitations
Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to, from or through 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), and the United Kingdom.
**Pets are allowed on flights from Guam to Tokyo-Narita. You cannot take your pet on the return flight to Guam.
Aircraft limitations
Pets are not allowed in First or Business Class on Boeing 747, 757, 767, or 777 aircraft due to insufficient space under the seat.
Check-in process
You must check in at the passenger counter as animals cannot be checked in at curbside. A fee will be charged during check-in. Your pet’s airline carrier will count as a piece of carry-on luggage and will receive a unique tag.
Related: How to pass through airport security with a pet
Fees
The fee to fly a pet in the cabin with United Airlines is $150 USD each way, payable at the reservations counter during check-in. (An additional fee of $150 applies for flights with layovers exceeding 4 hours in the United States or more than 24 hours outside of the United States.)
Service dog pet policies
Trained service animals are allowed to travel in the cabin with qualified individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive, or other disabilities requiring assistance. Only dogs qualify as service animals. Therapy and emotional support dogs are not recognized as service dogs. Puppies younger than 4 months of age will not be accepted on United.
Airline flights for service animals.
No later than 48 hours prior to departure, United Airlines mandates that U.S. Department of Transportation forms be submitted to inform them regarding your service animal. In certain instances, these documents can be filled out online; nevertheless, they need to be available in printed format at the time of check-in.
Passengers with disabilities are allowed to travel with a maximum of 2 service animals or a combination of 1 service animal and 1 pet. In this scenario, an additional seat needs to be purchased for the extra pet. There must be sufficient space at the passenger’s feet for the service animal.
Any service animals flying internationally (to Hawaii or Guam) must possess all necessary paperwork to gain entry into these countries.
Related: United Airlines guidelines regarding service and emotional support animals
United Airlines Pet Policies – Checked Luggage
If your pet’s dimensions exceed the limitations of an airline-approved pet carrier, or if the animal is not a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked luggage with United Airlines if accompanying an adult traveler. Currently, United Airlines permits the transport of pets solely for active U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSO) traveling under active permanent change of station orders as checked baggage through their Military Pet Program. Military and State Department personnel should reach out to United Airlines customer support for reservations.
Military Pet Policy
Only cats and dogs are allowed. One pet is permitted per PSC order, and the owner must accompany the pet. On routes from Guam to Honolulu, a maximum of 4 pets per flight is allowed. On flights departing from Honolulu, the limit is up to 2 pets per flight.
Booking
Please email [email protected] 5-10 days in advance of your travel date.
Pet Carrier Specifications
The combined weight of each pet along with their carrier must not exceed 99.9 pounds (45.31 kg). The maximum height of the carrier should be at or below 34 inches (86.4 cm) high. Two animals of the same breed can be transported together within the same carrier if they are of equal size and weigh under 20 pounds (9 kg).
All carriers must comply with regulations established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Temperature Limitations
When temperatures exceed or fall below specific thresholds, commercial airlines will disallow the transport of live animals in the cargo area. These restrictions are enforced to ensure the welfare of your pet. It is crucial to understand that the danger posed by extreme temperatures is not experienced while the pet is in-flight, but rather during pre-flight holding, loading on the tarmac, and taxiing to the runway.
United Airlines will not allow the transport of live animals when temperatures throughout the entire journey, including departure, layovers, and arrival airports, surpass:
- 80°F (27°C) Maximum for transporting live animals
- 20°F (-7°C) Minimum for transporting live animals (acclimation certificate necessary)
Be aware that the temperature thresholds for summer travel are reduced for brachycephalic (short-nosed) animals. An airline acclimation certificate is advisable for dogs and cats that are used to cooler environments.
Related: The importance of temperature for pets traveling in the cargo area
Necessary Documentation
The following documents are mandatory for pets belonging to military or State Department personnel: your travel itinerary along with your pet’s, active PSC orders, a health certificate issued within 10 days before the flight, and a confirmation form.
Check-in Procedures
Owners with military or State Department pets should check their pet in at the ticket counter located within the terminal.
United Airlines Pet Policies – Air Freight
All live animals shipped as air freight travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are monitored throughout the full flight. The airlines also bear the responsibility for looking after your pet during layovers. Unlike checked luggage, pets are typically checked in and collected at the airline’s cargo center, which is situated on airport grounds but not within the terminal.
United Airlines has discontinued its PetSafe Program for live animals transported in the cargo space.
Pet Container Specifications
All pet containers must adhere to standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be spacious enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. The crate should be constructed from metal, sturdy plastics, welded metal mesh, solid wood, or plywood.
The door of the container must feature a reliable, spring-loaded locking mechanism with pins that extend beyond the horizontal edges at the top and bottom of the door. The floor should be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when you check your pet in. Metal fittings must be used to secure the top and bottom sections of your pet crate together. Only one entrance is allowed per crate. The top of the crate needs to be robust and must not have any doors. Ventilation on three sides is essential as per IATA regulations.
Related: Is your pet’s carrier compliant with IATA standards?
Prohibited Breeds by United Airlines
A compilation of breeds that are not permitted to travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage can be found here.
Private Jet Options
An additional alternative for pet owners who wish to avoid their
A pet-friendly private jet charter allows your pet to travel in the cargo hold. Your pet can rest on your lap, by your feet, or beside you in a cozy manner without being restricted. We can organize flights from any location in the globe to any destination you require, according to your schedule, free from the crowds or chaos of a commercial airport.
Additional Details
United Airlines has not released any updates concerning the reinstatement of their PetSafe service.
Additional Reading
How to ensure your pet’s safety when traveling in the cargo hold
Advice for airline pet travel
Conditions for a pet moving through a country by air
When is a pet transporter necessary?
Planning your pet’s flight route
Traveling with a short-nosed breed
More details on airline pet travel
To the best of our knowledge, we guarantee that the advice provided on PetTravel.com aligns with the existing regulations. We cannot foresee how a specific airline might apply these regulations. Noncompliance could lead to your pet being denied boarding privileges at the time of check-in. We recommend minimizing potential disruptions by adhering to United Airlines’ pet policies.
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