Do United Airlines Let You Bring Pets in the Cabin? United Pet Policy & Requirements

All You Need to Know About United’s Pet Travel Policy

If you want to bring Fido or Fluffy along on your next flight with United, here are the ins and outs of their pet policy in the cabin.

What Types of Pets Are Allowed?

United allows dogs and cats over 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin, provided they meet certain requirements. However, some restrictions apply:

1. Dogs and cats only – no reptiles, birds, or exotic pets.
2. A maximum of one pet carrier per passenger is permitted.
3. Emotional support animals and service animals are allowed but require advance notification and documentation.

From my own experience traveling with pets, most dogs and cats seem to tolerate flights just fine as long as they are properly acclimated to their carrier.

What Are the Size Requirements?

Your pet must be able to fit comfortably within its carrier under the seat in front of you without obstructing the aisle or other passenger spaces.

Specifically, the carrier dimensions cannot exceed:

• Length: 19 in (48 cm)
• Width: 10 in (25 cm)
• Height: 9 in (23 cm)

Additionally, the weight of the carrier plus pet cannot exceed 20 lbs or 9 kg. So small dogs and cats are generally best for cabin travel. However, larger pets may fly in the cargo hold on some routes.

What Documents Are Required?

You’ll need to present several items at check-in to fly with your pet:

1. Current vaccination records signed by a vet within 1 year of travel date.
2. Health certificate for international flights within 10 days of departure.
3. United pet reservation – reserve and pre-pay in advance online.

The paperwork can basically seem daunting, but prepares your pet for a safe journey. I’ve found printing things well ahead of time cuts down on stress at the airport.

Is There a Charge for Cabin Pets?

Yes, United charges a non-refundable fee per pet per direction of travel within the US. The fees vary depending on flight length as follows:

Domestic Fees:

• Short haul flight (0-499 miles): $125
• Medium haul flight (500-999 miles): $250
• Long haul flight (1,000+ miles): $200

International pet fees tend to be kind of high. For example, flights from the US to Canada or Mexico are $200 each way. Transatlantic flights to Europe range from $200-250.

What Is Cabin Travel Like for Pets?

Most dogs and cats do fine under the seat as long as they remain in their carrier. However, it’s a totally new experience that may cause some stress.

Here are a few tips for acclimating pets based on what’s helped friends of mine:

1. Get them used to the carrier with short practice sessions and treats at home.
2. Bring water, but no food for a few hours before and after the flight.
3. Request a bulkhead or exit row seat for more legroom if their carrier is on the larger side.
4. Bring absorbing pads, paper towels, and baggies in case of accidents.

Overall, I’d say sort of managing expectations is key. Every pet is different, so you never know if they’ll snooze the whole time or get anxious!

What About Emotional Support or Service Animals?

United follows the rules of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals.

ESAs must have formal documentation from a mental health professional, while trained service animals for disabilities require no fees or pre-booking.

It can get kind of complicated to prove the animal’s essential role in treating a disability. But in general, United is reasonably accommodating if the paperwork is in order.

Alternatives If Your Pet Doesn’t Fly Cabin

Some pets, especially larger dogs and exotic animals, must travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold. United allows this on most domestic routes for an additional fee.

However, as with any long-distance travel, pet relocation services offer another option worth exploring. Some reputable companies I’ve heard of include:

• International Pet and Animal Transportation (IPATA)
• Animal Transfer Express
• Pet Relocation

They provide door-to-door pet transport by road with experienced staff. Basically, it’s a bit pricier but avoids the stress of flying for pets who don’t adapt well.

What Are Some Other Tips When Flying With Pets?

Here are a few final pointers based on my pet flying mishaps and successes:

1. Check pet policies well in advance and during connecting routes.
2. Call ahead if your pet is large, elderly, injured or shows signs of distress.
3. Bring backups like extra collar/leash in case of emergencies.
4. Pack toys/treats for entertainment, but go light to pass TSA screening.

Above all, I’d say the most important things are being prepared with paperwork and practicing at home to make your furry friend’s flying experience stress-free. With a bit of diligent planning, it’s totally doable to include pets in your next United trip!

Hope this gives you a sense of United’s cabin pet policies. Let me know if you have any other questions! Safe travels with your pet.

United Airlines Pet Policy

Pet Type	Cabin Allowed?	Crate Size	Fees
Cats	Yes	Soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat	$125 each way
Dogs	Yes	Hard-sided carrier that fits under the seat	$125 each way
Snakes	No	N/A	Not allowed as carry-on or checked bags
Ferrets	No	N/A	Not allowed as carry-on or checked bags
Rodents	No	N/A	Not allowed as carry-on or checked bags

FAQ

1. Does United allow pets in the cabin?

   United allows most dogs and cats to travel in the cabin on domestic flights within the continental U.S. The pet must be small enough to fit under the seat in a hard-sided pet carrier. You’ll need to purchase a special pet ticket in advance.

2. What kinds of pets can fly in the cabin?

   Cats and dogs are basically the only types of pets United lets in the main cabin. Small birds, rabbits, and other animals need to be checked into the cargo hold area. Even so, some dogs and cats may still be too huge to bring on board depending on their size.

3. Is there a weight limit for cabin pets?

   The maximum weight for pets traveling in the cabin on United is 20 pounds. Any furry friend weighing over that will have to ride cargo instead. At the same time, the size of the carrier also can’t be too big either even if Fluffy is under 20 pounds.

4. Do I need any documents for my pet?

   Yep, you’ll need to bring some sort of paperwork proving your pet is healthy and up-to-date on shots. A veterinary health certificate dated within 10 days of your flight is essential. Rover’s also gotta be microchipped or tagged for ID. Hopefully Fido doesn’t get lost at the airport!

5. How much does it cost to bring a pet on a flight?

   Each way you’ll pay a hefty non-refundable charge just to book your pet a seat. For flights within the U.S., it’s around $125 one-way for cats or dogs under 20 pounds. Pets over that size will set you back more cash to travel cargo. You can’t merely sneak Mittens in your purse either!

   

6. Is it stressful for pets to fly?

   Unfortunately air travel is pretty scary for most pooches and felines. All that unfamiliar noise, sights and smells of the airport plus being stuck in a cramped carrier for hours has to be awful for poor animals. Maybe ask your vet if any calming aids would help ease stress? Comfy in-cabin trips are likely less traumatic than cargo hold voyages though.

7. What if my pet acts up on the plane?

   If perhaps your panicked pup starts howling or misbehaving, flight attendants may ask you to stow the carrier in an overhead bin instead of under the seat. However, is that fair to the pet? On the other hand, some calmer canines might be let off leash on their owner’s lap too depending how they act. It kinda comes down to your furbaby’s behavior and how much it disturbs other travelers.