Articles

Southwest Allows In-Cabin Pets

Featured image for Southwest Allows In-Cabin Pets

Pets can now fly on Southwest Airlines. As of June 1st, 2009 Southwest allows pets to travel in-cabin. There is a two pet per person limit and each pets counts toward your carry-on allowance.

Southwest still does not accept pets in the cargo hold or any pet that is not accompanied by an adult traveler.

There are a limited number of spaces available on each flight, so be sure and let Southwest reservations know that you will be traveling with a pet.

Need Help?

Have questions about pet air travel? Visit our FAQ page or explore our comprehensive guides.

View FAQs
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

SVAN: Flying With a Trained Service Animal in the Cabin
Article

SVAN: Flying With a Trained Service Animal in the Cabin

SVAN is the Special Service Request code airlines use when a passenger travels with a trained service animal in the cabin. Here is what the code means, who qualifies under DOT rules, and the step-by-step process: forms, timing, airport relief areas, and on-board requirements.

Jul 04, 2026
March 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Report

March 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report

Happy to report there were no pet incidents for the travel month of January 2026!

Mar 01, 2026
July 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Report

July 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report

This month we have one death to report. On May 16, 2026, a French Bulldog named Guapo passed away while traveling as cargo on Alaska Airlines...

Jul 01, 2026
CDC announced final rule to its dog and cat importation regulation
Article

CDC announced final rule to its dog and cat importation regulation

On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its final ruling associated with the importation of dogs into the United States to provide clarity and safeguards that address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV). This final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.

May 25, 2024
2024 Airline Pet Travel Summary
Article

2024 Airline Pet Travel Summary

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) documented 12 pet-related air travel incidents, comprising 4 injuries and 8 deaths, with no reported losses. ​

Mar 31, 2025
Airline Pet Policies Compared: In-Cabin and Cargo Options (2026)
Article

Airline Pet Policies Compared: In-Cabin and Cargo Options (2026)

How the major U.S. airlines compare on pet travel: which carriers allow pets in the cabin, which still offer hold or cargo transport, what drives the real differences between policies, and a booking checklist to avoid surprises.

Jul 04, 2026