Pet Fee Policy for Southwest Airlines – Do They Charge a Pet Fee? All You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know About Pet Fees on Southwest Airlines

Flying with your furry friend on Southwest can come with unexpected pet fees, so in this article I’ll shed some light on what you can expect and help answer all your questions. As someone who’s navigated pet travel more times than I can count, let me break it down for you based on my experience.

Are There Always Pet Fees?

1. Pets traveling in-cabin are subject to a non-refundable $95 charge each way.
2. You can bring up to 2 pets per passenger as long as they meet size/weight limits for your chosen fare type.

According to Southwest’s website, fees “help recover the costs of administering the PET program.” Kind of a bummer, but I guess it beats having Fido banished to the cargo hold!

What Animals Qualify as Pets?

Southwest only allows dogs and cats to fly as pets. No reptiles, rodents or potbellied pigs allowed, unfortunately. Your pet must travel in an FAA-approved hard-sided kennel that easily fits under the seat in front of you.

What if My Pet is Too Big?

If your furbaby exceeds the size limits for in-cabin travel, you’ll need to check them as luggage instead. However, this comes with a much steeper fee ranging from $125 to $200 each way depending on your route. Yikes!

On the plus side, checked pets receive special handling to ensure their comfort. But it’s still pretty stressful not being with them on the flight. Maybe leave Fido at home if he’s too gigantic.

When Should I Book My Pet’s Reservation?

Book pet reservations when purchasing your own travel to avoid issues later. Space is limited, and once it’s full you’ll have to get creative. I once had to change flights last minute because my return flight was booked solid for pets. Not fun!

Advanced booking is key to relaxing with your pet by your side on the trip. Just be aware that pet reservations, like regular seats, cannot be cancelled or refunded once purchased. Plan accordingly!

Is There a Better Time to Fly With Pets?

As with people, pets probably feel less anxious flying during off-peak times. Early morning and red-eye flights tend to be less crowded, so your pet has more space. They also avoid the chaos of busy travel days around holidays.

Weekday travel generally has lighter loads than weekends too. So if you can flex your schedule, opt for mellower days that are presumably less stressful all around. Your pet will thank you!

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Beyond the financial details, here are a few other important pet travel tips:

1. Have current vaccinations and health certificate handed by a vet.
2. Use only secured/locked kennels approved by the FAA for airline travel.
3. Don’t feed your pet for a few hours before the flight to prevent upset tummys.
4. Bring favorite toys/blankets and pee pads or newspapers just in case.

Trust me, being over-prepared is better than scrambling at the airport! I’ve made that mistake before when I sort of basic and my cat freaked out. Not a scene I’d care to repeat, amirite?

Common Pet Owner Questions Answered

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let me address some frequently asked questions:

Do fees vary by route? Generally no, but transcontinental flights involving multiple stops sometimes incur a small surcharge.

Can I use points to pay pet fees? Sadly pet charges cannot be covered with Rapid Rewards points or vouchers. It’s cash only!

If I have multiple pets, do I pay per pet? Indeed – the $95 charge applies individually to each furry companion joining you in the cabin. Yowza, that adds up fast for a menagerie!

Are emotional support animals exempt from fees? Nope, only legit certified service animals can fly gratis. Emotional support critters still require payment and kennels like any other pet.

Will pets cause delays if they act up? It’s possible an unruly animal could hold up boarding if they’re refusing their carrier. So make sure yours is well-trained and calm flying environments before committing to air travel together.

Hope this gives you a full rundown of what to expect cost-wise. Flying with pets is certainly not cheap, but seeing their sweet faces makes it so worth it! Just be sure to plan and prepare to spare them extra stress. Any other questions? Let me know – I live for chatting all things pet travel!

Real-Life Examples of Pet Flyers

Now for a couple pet parent stories to illustrate what can happen in the real world:

I have a friend whose cat was an absolute champ on their red-eye flight, sleeping the whole time like a baby. But then there was my sister’s experience – her puggle pup got car sick during takeoff and decided the aisle was the perfect place to have an accident. Whoops! Thankfully the crew was super nice about it.

Speaking of mishaps, my neighbor once tried to sneak her small yap-dog in her purse instead of paying the fee. Big mistake – that purse was no match for an anxious chihuahua! Fur and chaos went flying, needless to say. Moral of the story? Just pay upfront and follow the rules, folks!

On a positive note, I took my own rescue pup Luke on his first flight at 8 months old. Even with thunderstorms causing delays, he stayed chill the entire time – probably because I stuffed his face with treats! Not sure what I would’ve done without those value packs of dentastix.

All in all, flying pets can definitely induce stress but with preparation, it doesn’t need to be terrifying. With any luck, your experience will be way more like my cat Sterling’s naptime voyage than the other disasters I mentioned! Stay positive and remember that most important companions make it worth any cost.

Well, I’ve blabbed on long enough about the pet passenger perils I’ve seen. Hope sharing these real world stories and lessons learned was helpful for answering your questions! Feel free to holler if any other points need clarification. Happy travels to all you pet parents out there!

Pet Travel Policies on Southwest Airlines

Pet Type	Fee	Requirements
Dog or cat	$95 each way	Must be in approved kennel under seat in front of you
Emotional support animal	No fee	Must complete advance form and provide medical documentation
Snakes and other reptiles	$125 each way	Must be in approved kennel and remain in carrier at all times
Birds	$95 each way	Must remain in carrier at all times
Hedgehogs and sugar gliders	$95 each way	Must remain in carrier at all times

FAQ

1. How much is the pet fee on Southwest Airlines?

   The pet fee on Southwest is $95 each way for your pet to travel in the cabin of the plane with you. That’s sort of pricey, but at least you get to bring your furry friend along!

2. What size pet carrier is allowed?

   Southwest only permits pet carriers that can fit comfortably under the seat in front of you. Basically, if it’s not bigger than a standard carrier or bag, it should be okay. But animals over 20 pounds have to travel in the cargo hold instead of the cabin.

3. Is my pet required to stay in the carrier?

   Yes, for the safety of everyone on the plane your pet has to remain securely inside the carrier duringboarding, flight, and deplaning. However, it’s a good idea to bring along some treats or toys to keep them occupied. Hopefully they won’t cause too much trouble staying put!

4. What types of pets can I travel with?

   Southwest only allows cats and dogs as in-cabin pets. Perhaps birds or reptiles would be too much hassle on a plane. You’ll need to provide documents showing your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations too. No surprises allowed!

5. Can I buy my pet’s ticket when I purchase mine?

   You sure can buy your pet’s ticket at the same time as your own. Just add them as a passenger on the booking and pay the fee. On the other hand, it appears the fee is non-refundable even if Fluffy gets nervous at the last minute. Better be certain they’re really up for the flight!

6. What if my pet acts up on the flight?

   If despite your best efforts to keep them calm, your pet starts howling or scratching, airline staff may ask you to take them off the plane. That would be quite an embarrassing situation! It’s always a gamble flying with animals. Just be sure to distract them with toys and try to get them used to the carrier before traveling.

7. Do I need any other documents?

   Yes, in addition to health records you’ll need to bring your pet in an FAA-approved travel bag. Don’t forget to check local regulations too, as quarantine rules can vary by city. Be prepared or you might end up having to kennel them after all. Better safe than sorry!

8. Is it worth paying the pet fee?

   It’s a lot of money and hassle flying with animals. You’ve really got to love your pet to put up with the stress of travel. At the same time, not being able to bring them could be awful too. I guess it depends how attached you are! It’s really a personal choice whether the fee is worth it for your special furry friend.