What methods of transport does United Airlines provide for my pet?
- Travel in the passenger cabin.
- Checked as baggage in pressurized and temperature controlled area of your aircraft.
- Shipped as cargo in pressurized and temperature controlled area.
Does my pet qualify for travel in the passenger cabin?
Pets that meet the following qualifications can travel in the passenger cabin:
- Only domesticated dogs, cats or household birds (canary, finch or parakeet) may be accepted as carry on baggage.
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
- Dogs and cats must be fully weaned.
- You are not traveling to, from or through Hawaii or Guam.
- Your pet can comfortably remain in its kennel, under the seat for the entire flight.
- The kennel is specifically made for animal carriage and can fit under the seat.
- Your pet has all necessary health documents required by your destination (see below for more information).
- Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to/from Australia (exceptions may be made for service dogs such as seeing-eye or guide dogs).
- Pet must be traveling on the same flight as the owner.
More restrictions may apply. Please visit the In-cabin pets page on the United website for more information.
Does my pet qualify for travel as checked baggage?
Pets that meet the following qualifications can travel as checked baggage:
- Only domesticated dogs, cats, household birds (canary, finch or parakeet), rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs may be accepted as checked baggage.
- Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old.
- Dogs and cats must be fully weaned.
- The kennel meets all requirements (see below for more information).
- Your pet has all necessary health documents required by your destination (see below for more information).
- Pets are not permitted to travel as checked baggage on flights to/from Australia (exceptions may be made for service dogs such as seeing-eye or guide dogs).
- Due to extreme heat, United Airlines will not accept any pets as checked baggage for travel to/from Kuwait (KWI) or Bahrain (BAH) from May 1 through September 30.
Does my pet qualify to be shipped as cargo?
If your pet does not meet the requirements for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage, or if you would like your pet to travel unaccompanied, contact United Airlines Cargo at 1-800-UA-CARGO for more information.
What are the fees associated with pet transport?
- Transported in cabin for travel within the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories: $125 each way
- Kennel fees vary depending on the size. Click here for more information.
Contact United Airlines Reservations for rates to/from Japan and Brazil.
What are the kennel requirements?
In addition to the size and weight maximums, the USDA and United Airlines require that kennels meet the following requirements:
- Be leak-proof and escape-proof.
- Be properly ventilated, but not allow any part of the animal from protruding outside of the container.
- Provide enough room for the animal to stand and turn around.
- Be made of metal, wood, or a hard plastic/composite.
- Contain absorbent material or litter.
- Have functional handles on the kennel's exterior to prevent tilting and any direct contact with the animals.
- Be closed securely, but not locked.
- Have labels with the words "Live Animal" in letters at least 1-inch tall on the crate's top and on at least one side.
- Have upright arrow labels indicating kennel's correct position.
What health documentation is required?
Passengers are required to make sure all health and pet travel documents are current and compliant with local, state, federal and international entry requirements and regulations. The passenger assumes full responsibility for penalties assessed by agencies for non-compliance of pet health and entry requirements.
Are there any other restrictions?
United Airlines can refuse to transport an animal due to illness, aggressive behavior, poor kenneling, or extreme temperatures at origin, transfer, or destination airports.
Short-nosed dog breeds are not accepted for travel as checked baggage or cargo from June 1 - September 30.
Please contact the airline directly for information about traveling with a service animal.
