United Airlines Pet Policy

If you are a pet parent or have an emotional support pet, you can’t afford to leave them behind while going on a trip. However, traveling with pets can be a bit challenging. To avoid any issue and last minute confusion, you need to know the airline’s pet policy. How the airlines accommodate pets on board. Your pet is not baggage that can be thrown or stacked on a plane anyhow. Knowing airlines pet policies will help you in having a successful and enjoyable trip for yourself and your pet.

The United Airlines Pet Policy provides a variety of options for the traveling companion flying with a pet. This article will cover everything you need to know about flying with a pet on United Airlines, including policies, travel fees, and how to help keep your pet cozy while traveling.

United Airlines Pet Policy- Details

The best part is that you can fly comfortably with your pets on United Airlines. If your pet is a small cat or dog, you can bring them on board for most of the domestic and some selected international flights. For bigger pets or some specific destinations, United Airlines’ pet policy may be strict. If the import rule is different for your destination, then your pet needs to travel through United’s PetSafe Program.

However, if your pet is smaller and destination permits, then you need to figure out if you want your pet to travel in-cabin or as cargo.

United Airlines in-cabin Pet Policy

• United Airlines allows smaller pet animals to travel with you. You can bring them on board in a similar way you bring a carry-on. Here are the specific details about United Airlines’ in-cabin pet policy:
• You can only bring cats and dogs on board; no other pets are allowed. For instance, you can’t bring any animals other than cats and dogs. 
• Your pet needs to be at least 2 months old, younger than that wouldn’t be allowed on flight. 
• Your pet’s carrier needs to fit under the chair. 

Carrier Requirements:

• You can bring soft-sided or hard-sided carriers, as both are good to go.
• Your carrier will count as your carry-on item.
• United Airlines provides a size limit for the pet carrier. Make sure that your pet can easily move around in the carrier.

             Soft Carrier- 18″x11″x11′ inches

             Hard Carrier- 17.5″ x 12″ x 9″ inches

United Airlines Pet Carry-on Fee

United Airlines’ pet fee for in-cabin travel is $125 each way. It may vary and go up according to the airlines’ specifics.

United Airlines Cargo Pet Policy

You don’t need to worry if your pet is too big to fit under the seat. You can still bring your furry buddy with you on United Airlines. They developed a unique service called PetSafe that allows you to ship your pet in the cargo section. Do not fear, this is a pet-friendly solution that will assure your pet’s comfort and safety while traveling. United offers a climate-controlled habitat for your pet. It’s the best choice for larger animals who cannot board the cabin. This facility will provide you with peace of mind. These are the few essentials which you need to keep in mind:

• Pets traveling as cargo must be in a proper, airline-approved crate.
• The box should be spacious enough to allow their movement comfortably.  
• You will also need to present paperwork to ensure their health condition.

United Airlines Pet Cargo fee

Shipping pets as freight costs more than in-cabin travel. Prices normally start at $200 and can rise substantially depending on the details of the flight.

United Airlines Pet Policy International Flight

Flying with your pets to an overseas destination might be challenging. It is greatly dependent on where you are visiting, as certain nations do not allow in-cabin dogs. United Airlines recommends that you verify your destination’s unique entry regulations at least 30 days before your journey. A few countries allow pets to be confined upon arrival. To avoid surprises when you arrive, do your research on any quarantine requirements for your pet. The requirements got tougher, particularly with COVID. United Airlines allows in-cabin pets in these countries:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Colombia
• Caribbean Countries
• Some parts of Central and South America

Documents needed to fly with Pets on United Airlines

United Airlines will ask you to provide some specific documents related to your pets to travel hassle-free on United Airlines:

• Health Certificate
• Vaccination certificate
• Microchipping

How to Book a Pet Reservation on United Airlines?

You can easily book a pet reservation on United Airlines in simple steps. Making a reservation or later doing so is another option, and these few simple steps will guarantee that a reservation is really made. 

• Online Bookings: Just select Travel with a Pet while making a flight reservation for the pet. This will reserve the place in the cabin for your pet. 
• Existing Reservations: If you have already booked your ticket, then you don’t need to worry about anything. You can add a pet to your itinerary through Manage My Booking. 

You need to be on the homepage of United Airlines and log in “Manage my booking’ account with your reservation details. 

Once your trip is visible on the screen, click on the add button and hit the pet option. 

Fill out the form and provide all the required details about your pet. 

Pay the bill, and hit the enter button to confirm the new add-on. 

You will receive an email regarding the pet reservation. 

• Booking via customer service: You can also include a pet by calling United Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-864-8331. You will need to provide pertinent information about your pet to make all the arrangements. 

Final Tips Before You Fly with Pets

• Book Ahead: Pet placements are limited on each flight. Book as early as possible.
• Prepare your documentation: Especially for international flights — countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan have strict laws regarding animals being imported.
• Check the weather: United restricts PetSafe bookings in extreme heat and extreme cold.
• See the vet: So you are assured your pet is healthy and you have health documentation.
• Practice with the carrier: Give your pet the opportunity to acclimate to carriers one week or two weeks prior to flight. This will reduce anxiety.
• Pack a pet travel kit: You should pack treats, small dish for water, waste bags, comfort toys, and etc.

What is United Airlines’ service dog policy? 

United Airlines provides specific privileges for the transportation of pets of State Department Foreign Service Personnel and their spouses, as well as US military personnel on active duty. These incentives only apply to military troops going from Guam to Honolulu. These perks do not apply to employees who are on leave or on holiday. 

To be eligible for this service, dogs must fulfill all of United Airlines’ requirements. If they qualify, dogs will be given a tag during check-in. This is a service offered as part of the United Military Pet Program that helps military and state department personnel to save fees that would otherwise be incurred through a third-party IPATA shipping agency or customs broker.

Conclusion

Although Nerdwallet ranks the United Airlines pet policy in last position and Alaska Airlines on top, you can still travel comfortably with your pets on United Airlines. The charge will bediffer according to your route and pet carrier. If you need any help at any moment, you can reach out to us at +1-855-956-2158.