United Airlines Pet Policy: Travel Safe With Your Pet

In the post-pandemic era, more and more people are looking to travel around the world with their families to make exciting memories and add new experiences. Whenever we plan a trip or a vacation it is always a big decision whether we want to take our pets along with us or leave them with somebody else. However, with Airlines coming up with their pet policies most people now opt to take their pets along with them on trips.

There are certain rules and regulations that you must follow if you are traveling with your pets on a flight. Awareness of these rules and procedures makes it easier for you and your pet to have a comfortable journey. In this article, we are going to tell you about the pet policies of one of the most famous carriers in the USA — United Airlines.

Why Is Understanding United Airlines Pet Policy Important?

For most people, it is quite difficult to leave their pets at home or with petsitters when they are going on a vacation. These people often want to travel along with their pets. In such cases, they need to have a basic knowledge of the bed policies of the respective Airlines to avoid any kind of inconvenience to their pet or other fellow passengers. A lack of knowledge about the necessary procedures, before you check in with your pet, may lead to a last-minute rush and an inconvenient experience.

Hence you must know about all the procedures, necessities, and restrictions well in advance to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Is United Airlines Pet Friendly?

United Airlines might not be one of the most pet-friendly Airlines in the United States but it surely allows you to travel with small pets in the cabin without caring about a long list of rules and regulations. However, United Airlines does not allow pets to be shipped via cargo to its non-military passengers.

You can bring your dog or cat along with you inside the cabin, without any hesitation, as long as your pet is small enough to sit comfortably in the hard-sided or soft-sided carrier.

What You Need to Know About United's Pet Policy?

Before we delve into the details, let us tell you what are the summary points you must know regarding the United Airlines Pet Policy.

United Airlines as of now has no policy of pets to be allowed as checked cargo. However, there is an exception if you are from the US military or a state department personnel traveling between Honolulu and Guam.

United Airlines allows passengers to bring their pets in-cabin. You will be asked to pay a fee of $125 each way if you want to take your pet with you inside the flight cabin. There are certainly some size restrictions and a condition that your pet must remain in their carrier throughout the flight.

Traveling domestically within the United States with your pets on United Airlines is much easier than traveling internationally due to certain regulations and restrictions.

United Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy Explained

United Airlines does allow you to travel with your pet in the cabin but you surely need to meet some specific requirements. It is possible to travel with your cat or dog as a piece of carry-on luggage under the seat in front of you only if you meet the following requirements:

• Only cats and dogs are allowed in-cabin.
• Animals are required to fit comfortably inside their carrier.
• The career of an animal must not exceed a certain size
• The pet must be at least 2 months old to travel on domestic flights and at least 4 months old to travel on international flights.
• Pets cannot travel with minors with no guardian.
• Pets must always be under the surveillance of their owners.

There is a fee of $125 each way to bring your pet with you inside the cabin.

United Airlines Service Animals Policy

United Airlines has dedicated policies for service animals, especially service dogs. United Airline's dogs are in three groups, namely— Service dogs, Therapy dogs, and Emotional Support dogs.

Therapy Dogs: United Airlines allows its passengers to take therapy dogs with them on a United Airlines flight. However such dogs need to be well-trained and registered by an authorized therapy organization.

Emotional Support Dogs: United Airlines also allows emotional support animals to travel along with their owner. Emotional support dogs are those animals that through their companionship relieve their owner’s anxiety or mental health conditions.

Service Dogs: United Airlines allows service dogs to fly with their owners. Service dogs are those dogs that are trained to help someone with a disability. These disabilities can either be physical, psychiatric, cognitive, or sensory that may require assistance.

United Airlines Military Pet Policy

United Airlines has certain exceptions for military and state department pets. These exceptions however are only on certain roots and only apply to officers on duty. Those officers who are on holiday cannot claim these amenities.

United Airlines has certain benefits for the transportation of pets that belong to the state Department of Foreign Service Personnel (FSP) and their spouses. The airline also has special facilities for pets that belong to military personnel of the United States who are on active duty.

These benefits can be claimed if the military forces are traveling between Guam and Honolulu. In addition to this, the pets must meet all the requirements of United Airlines.

Pet Carrier Requirements on United Airlines

There is a fee of 125 USD each way for traveling with your pet. Your pet needs to be vaccinated and must have a Rabies-free certificate. The certificate must be dated at least 28 days before the scheduled flight.

United Airlines allows only cats and dogs inside the flight cabin. There are no restrictions on the weight or breed of the pets traveling alongside the passengers. However, there is a maximum fixed dimension for pet careers for in-cabin travel.

The maximum dimensions for your pet carrier are as follows:

• For Hard-Sided Carrier - 17.5×12×7.5 inches
• For Soft Sided Carrier - 18×11×11 inches

Conclusion

United Airlines has a fair policy to accommodate travelers flying with their pets, especially passengers who want to fly with their pets as a carry-on in the cabin. By having the basic knowledge about the pet policies of United Airlines you can have a smooth and stress-free journey with your pets. United Airlines also offers military personnel exceptions and special facilities. The service dog policy of United Airlines is also among the plus points of the airline. As the demand to travel with pets is increasing the airline is continuously reforming its policies for the ease of its passengers.

FAQs

• What animals can we carry to the flight cabin on United Airlines?

Only cats and dogs are allowed inside United Airlines cabin with their owners.

• What should be the weight of my pet carrier?

As per United Airlines' pet policy, there are no restrictions on the weight of your pet carrier.

• What is the fee to travel with my pet in-cabin?

There is a fee of 125 dollars that you need to pay if you want to travel with your pet in the cabin as per the United Airlines Pet Policy.