Yes, United Airlines accepts pets inside the cabin and pets as checked baggage. Unfortunately, their pets checked baggage service is currently unavailable.
United Airlines charges 125 USD for each one-way trip. This charge increases by 125 USD more if there are any stopovers for over 4 hours. There are no additional charges for service dogs. Emotional support animals are not acknowledged by United Airlines.
Aggressive and brachycephalic can not be transported via United Airlines. And there are temperature restrictions in place also. So make sure to read those guidelines carefully.
United Airlines Travel Options
There are two options available for travelers who want to travel with their pets by United Airlines.
- Pets inside the cabin (Carry-on Pets)
- Pets as checked baggage.
United Pet Policy Overview
| Carry-on pets | Tamed Cats and Dogs |
| As Checked Baggage | Not Allowed |
| Cargo Service (PetSafe) | Available |
| Service Animal | Allowed (Free of charge) |
| Emotional Support Animal (ESA) | Not Allowed |
| Pets Age | Domestic 8 weeks and 16 weeks International. |
| Fee | $125 |
UA Pets in Cabin
Tamed cats and dogs that can accommodate in a traveling carrier beneath the row across from you are considered in-cabin pets.
Animals are not permitted in the cabin on trips to, from, or via Hawaii and certain foreign cities, however, they are permitted on some United flights.
- Local flights allow baby animals if they are at least 8 weeks old. Due to rabies vaccine restrictions, pets must be at least 16 weeks old for foreign travel.
- Pets are not permitted to travel with unattended minors.
- Pets should fly on the same aircraft as their owner or guardian.
- The animal must remain in its cage with the doors locked in all circumstances. The cage for your animal must be kept near your toes, below the row across from you.
- In the event of a crisis, oxygen support will not be accessible for pets.
Pets as checked baggage
United Airlines has temporarily suspended all their operations regarding pets as checked baggage.
UA Pets Carrier Dimensions
- Animals in carriers must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down.
- Water-repellent best soft-sided pet carriers should be constructed of cushioned nylon and feature breathability on two or more sides.
- Enclosures must be spacious enough for creatures to turn around, rest, and fall asleep in a proper alignment, made out of wood, metal, or plastic, and leakage and escape-proof.
- An animal in a cabin must be transported in an authorized carrier or crate. The enclosure must fit entirely beneath the front row and stay there under all circumstances.
- As soft-sided animal crates are foldable and may fit below a row without obstructing the passageway, they can barely surpass specified measurements.
- Just one animal is permitted inside a pet carrier, but it must be able to accommodate conveniently within it.
The standard measurements are specified below-
| Type of Kennel | Length | Width | Height |
| Best Hard-sided Kennel | 17.5” or 44 cm | 12″ or 30cm | 7.5″ or 19 cm |
| Best Soft-sided Carrier | 18” or 45 cm | 11″ or 27cm | 11″ or 27 cm |
United Airlines Pet Travel Fees
There is a $125 service fee per trip, plus an extra $125 service charge for any layover of more exceeding four hours within the United States or more than 24 hours beyond the borders.
Pets Age Requirement
Flights within the U.S. and Puerto Rico allow baby animals if they are at least 8 weeks old. Due to rabies vaccine restrictions, pets must be at least 16 weeks old for foreign travel.
Pet puppies and kitties weighing less than 2 lbs should be at least 10 weeks old before being transported. Puppies entering the United States must be at least 4 months old and completely inoculated against rabies. When pups are at least 3 months old and at least 1 month before arriving at a U.S. border checkpoint, they must be vaccinated against rabies.
Breed Restrictions
| Dog breeds that are not allowed to travel | Cat breeds that are not allowed to travel |
| Affenpinscher | Burmese |
| American Bully | Exotic Shorthair |
| American Staffordshire terrier | Himalayan |
| Pekingese | Persian |
| Pit Bull | |
| Boston Terrier | |
| Boxer (all breeds) | |
| Tibetan Spaniel | |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | |
| Shih Tzu | |
| Shar Pei | |
| Pug (all breeds) | |
| Presa Canario | |
| Brussels Griffon | |
| Bulldog (all breeds) | |
| Chow Chow | |
| Belgian Malinois | |
| English Toy Spaniel | |
| Japanese Chin | |
| Lhasa Apso | |
| Mastiffs – all types | |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier/”Staffys” | |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | |
| Tibetan Spaniel |
Route Restrictions
| United currently serves the following affected locations | United doesn’t allow in-cabin pets on flights to, from or through | United doesn’t accept reservations to and from these airports for travel between May 1 and September 30 because of high temperatures |
| Belize | Australia | Las Vegas (LAS) |
| Brazil | Barbados | Palm Springs (PSP) |
| Colombia | Cuba | Phoenix (PHX) |
| China | Guam | Tucson (TUS) |
| Dominican Republic | Federated States of Micronesia | |
| Ecuador | Hawaii | |
| El Salvador | Hong Kong | |
| Ghana | Iceland | |
| Guatemala | Ireland | |
| Honduras | Marshall Islands | |
| India | New Zealand | |
| Nigeria | Palau | |
| Peru | Panama | |
| Philippines | ||
| Singapore | ||
| South Africa | ||
| Tahiti | ||
| Trinidad and Tobago | ||
| UK |
Pets traveling from nations that are marked by the CDC as high risk for rabies are temporarily restricted by the United States. Animals immunized inside the US by such an American pediatrician could fly back to the United States from an elevated-risk nation without a Center for Disease Control Dog Import License if indeed the dog meets the following criteria:
- Does have a legitimate rabies immunization certificate provided by the United States; does have evidence of a computer chip; is now no younger than six months; is fit and active upon entrance; as well as comes at such an authorized entrance.
Because of very high temp, pets can not be transported as checked baggage from the following terminals between May 1 – September 30 :
| Palm Springs | Tucson |
| Phoenix | Las Vegas |
Aircraft Restrictions
Pets not permitted in premium cabins of United Airlines, including-
- Boeing 787
- Boeing 777
- Boeing 767
- Boeing 757-200
Documents
- A scanned copy of the Customer Acknowledgement Form must be filed, approved, and dated.
- A scanned copy of your animal’s authentic medical certificate must be provided and approved by a qualified vet within 10 days of flying. The medical certificate must include-
- Your pet’s species, mass, and age or birth date.
- The date on which your pet was evaluated by a veterinarian and confirmed to be free of communicable or contagious illnesses, as well as physical anomalies that might endanger your animal, other pets, or health policy.
- A graphic snapshot of your animal’s transportation crate.
- A graphic photograph of your animal with its features prominently displayed to confirm the breed.
Service animal
A service dog is a canine that has been individually trained to perform tasks or perform responsibilities for the convenience of an adult. Only dogs are accepted as service animals, and it must be :
- More than four months old.
- Separately educated to be doing tasks as well as executing activities for something like the value of a competent disabled person.
For approved disabled individuals, service animals are allowed in the cabin.
- Just two service dogs are allowed to fly with approved disabled individuals.
- If you’re flying with a service animal, it must lay on the ground in front of your designated seat and not stretch into the passageways or neighboring passengers’ foot area.
- For pups, you may utilize an authorized in-cabin kennel as long as it fits the stowage criteria. Reclining in the exit row is not permitted.
Travelers with service dogs must fill out and provide the following two forms :
- Wildlife Education as well as Actions Accreditation Application for the United States Dept of Transportation’s Air Transport Service
- Wildlife Reprieve Authentication Application – United States Department of Travel
Your support in insect mass, species, rabies immunization dates, as well as vet documentation would be taken to finish these applications.
Emotional support animals
Emotional support animals are not permitted to travel with United.
Pets Reservation
On the majority of its flights, United Airlines exclusively allows two dogs in the cabin, thus they recommend contacting their Customer Service Team as soon as you finalize your trip arrangements. Visitors flying with their dogs and/or pets flying alone can make bookings up to one month in advance (highest) and 5 days before the date (least) before departure. You may reach the airlines directly at 1-800-864-8331 to make bookings over the telephone.
Check-In
Once you head to the terminal with your pet, verify in there with a customer service person, who might issue you a yellow luggage tag to connect to your animal’s pet carrier. This same label will notify you of the prerequisites for having to travel with the animal inside the compartment and should be agreed to sign for their policies to be acknowledged.
While being in the air terminal, just at the departure lounge, and on board a plane, the animal should remain in their pet carrier with doors shut at all points of time.
How to add a pet to my flight on United Airlines?
- Book your flight and inform them about your pet.
- Visit your vet to get all the paperwork ready.
- Contact the embassy of your target location to learn about any restrictions in place.
- Purchase a suitable container and make your pet used to that.
- Check the temperatures of both departing and target terminals.
- Check-in with time on hand.
Tips
- The foreign office or consulate of your pet’s target country may provide you with information to ensure that you fulfill all of the country’s admission requirements.
- For precise destination criteria for animals flying to and from the United States and most locations, go to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) pet travel page.
- Consult a specialist about your pet’s travel itinerary well ahead of time to ensure that your pet complies with all immigration rules and is prepared to travel.
- Make your pet used to the container so that he/she does not get frustrated staying inside the container. The container should make her/him feel like a safe place.
FAQ
How much does United Airlines charge for a pet?
There is a $125 service fee per trip, plus an extra $125 service charge for any layover of more exceeding four hours within the United States or more than 24 hours beyond the borders.
Does United allow pets in first class?
In United First, United Polaris Business, and United Business, two dogs are allowed on each flight. Pets are not permitted in premium cabins of United Airlines, including Boeing 787, Boeing 777, Boeing 767, and Boeing 757-200.
Has United suspended pet travel?
Note for the 9th of February, 2021: United’s PetSafe program has been discontinued indefinitely at this time. PetRelocation will keep an eye on the issue and update this site if the rules change.
Is United Airlines currently shipping dogs?
Yes. Transporting pets on United Airlines is available. This service is named United PetSafe.
Can I buy my dog a seat on United?
No, Pets and their container must be placed under the passenger’s front seat throughout the flight. Pets can not occupy any passenger seat.
United Contact Details
| United States | 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) |
| Canada | 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) |
| Singapore | 65-6670-9737 |
| Australia | 131-777 |
| New zealand | 0800-747-400 |
| United Kingdom | 0845-607-6760 0207-136-0582 |
United Airlines
| Airlines Name | United Airlines, Inc. |
| IATA Code | UA |
| ICAO Code | UAL |
| Callsign | UNITED |
| Website | United Airlines |
| Support Center Number | 1-800-864-8331 |
| Social Media Pages | |
| YouTube | |
More Articles
- Breeze Airways Pet Policy
- Avelo Airlines Pet Policy
- American Airlines Pet Policy
- Alaska Airlines Pet Policy
- Hawaiian Airlines Pet Travel Guide
- Southwest Airlines Pet Policy
- Spirit Airlines Pet Policy
- Sun Country Airlines Pet Policy
Reference
- https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs/disabilities/assistance-animals.html
- https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/animals/in-cabin.html
