How To Add A Pet To My Southwest Flight

Southwest Airlines is one of the only airlines in the U.S. that welcomes pets on board, and if you’re a dog or cat owner, it’s a great option for you. There are some rules to follow when bringing your pet along for the ride, but it’s easy to handle them! Here’s what you need to know about how to add a pet friend to your next Southwest flight:

Pets are welcome on Southwest flights with some restrictions.

First, your pet must be small enough to fit into a carrier (hard-sided or soft-sided) that can be stowed under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions for this carrier are 9”L x 7”W x 5”H; if your pet is larger than this, he or she can fly as cargo instead. Second, the animal must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably inside their carrier. Thirdly, they need to be healthy and vaccinated against rabies at least one week before travel; they also require proof of vaccination and current health certificate signed by a veterinarian within 14 days prior to flying.

Finally, please note that pets may not travel if they appear ill or stressed at the airport checkpoint—this includes separation anxiety! If your dog is nervous about being separated from his owner through security screening lines or during boarding procedures then it would probably better for both parties involved if someone else takes care of him instead (or maybe just leave him home).

You can add a pet to your Southwest flight at the airport or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA with at least one hour of advance notice.

You can add a pet to your Southwest flight at the airport or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA with at least one hour of advance notice. To do so, you’ll need:

A reservation for yourself, if you don’t already have one
A pet carrier for your animal
A signed health certificate

If your pet is flying in cargo, you must check in at the ticket counter.

If your pet is flying in cargo, you must check in at the ticket counter. You cannot check in online or at an airport kiosk. You also cannot check in at the gate. All required documents must be presented to Southwest Airlines staff at least one hour before departure time and no later than 15 minutes before departure time.

If you are flying a pet in cargo, you will need to present a signed health certificate that has been issued within 30 days of the flight’s departure date.

If you are flying a pet in cargo, you will need to present a signed health certificate that has been issued within 30 days of the flight’s departure date. A health certificate must be signed by a licensed veterinarian and include the following information:

Name and age of your pet
Breed and description of your pet
Sex of your pet

Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down inside its carrier comfortably.

Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down inside its carrier comfortably. If your pet cannot fit in its carrier, it cannot fly. The handler of the animal must hold the leash or harness at all times; if a pet is not properly secured, it will be considered loose cargo and may be denied transportation on any flight with no refund issued.

If your dog or cat weighs more than 80 pounds (36 kg), Southwest requires that the animal travel as checked baggage. If you are traveling with an animal that weighs less than 80 pounds (36 kg) but larger than 25 pounds but smaller than 50 pounds (23 kg), you’ll need to provide documentation from your veterinarian stating that it is healthy enough for air travel.

There are some rules for bringing your pet on Southwest flights, but it’s easy to follow them.

The pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down inside its carrier comfortably. The carrier must be big enough for the animal to feel comfortable while traveling.
The pet must fit inside a carrier of a certain size. If you want to use a carry-on bag instead of an airline-approved carrier, it needs to fit under the seat in front of you with just two inches between your knees and the back of the seat in front of you (so yes, that means no window seats if you’re carrying on).
You’ll need someone who can hold the dog or cat so it isn’t left alone during takeoff or landing.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you understand the rules for bringing a pet on a Southwest flight. The most important thing to remember is that your pet needs to be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably in its carrier. You can also check out our website for more details about flying with pets!