Southwest Airlines pet policy

Pets in the cabin

Allowed

“We welcome small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs in an appropriate pet carrier in the cabin on domestic flights.”

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Under-seat carrier, maximum

18 × 10.5 × 10 in (46 × 27 × 25 cm)

“Other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18” (L) x 10.5” (W) x 10” (H).”

Southwest's own branded carrier is 15 x 10 x 10 in. Under-seat space varies by seat; aisle seats may be tighter.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Soft-sided carrier, maximum

18 × 10.5 × 10 in (46 × 27 × 25 cm)

“Other pet carriers with maximum dimensions of 18” (L) x 10.5” (W) x 10” (H).”

Soft-sided recommended; the same maximum applies to every carrier.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Hard-sided carrier, maximum

Not published

Hard-sided carriers not addressed separately; the general 18 x 10.5 x 10 in limit applies to all carriers.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Carrier size by aircraft

Not published

“We recommend using a soft-sided carrier, as under-seat space can vary depending on your seat type and location on the aircraft.”

No per-aircraft dimensions published.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Weight limit, pet and carrier

Not published

No weight limit stated.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Fee each way

$125 each way

“$125 per Pet carrier”

Listed under 'Pets: One-way Carryon Pet Charge', U.S. Mainland. $35 per pet carrier between the Hawaiian Islands.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Pets per passenger

2

“Each ticketed Customer may bring one pet carrier, and each pet carrier may hold up to two small cats or dogs of the same species.”

One carrier per ticketed customer, up to two pets of the same species inside it.

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Animals allowed in the cabin

Dog, cat

“We welcome small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs”

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Minimum age

8 weeks

“Pets must be at least eight (8) weeks old to travel.”

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Pet must stand and turn around

Yes

“The cat or dog (including head and tail) must be completely inside the pet carrier and be able to stand up and move around the carrier with ease.”

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Breed restrictions

Not published

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

Checked or cargo pets

Not allowed

“No pets are transported in the cargo compartment.”

From Southwest Airlines’s website, checked 21 Oct 2026

The airline decides at the gate. Check your booking.

Informational only. We copy Southwest Airlines’s published words and link to them; we don’t speak for the airline.