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Southwest Airlines Pet Fee: Everything You Need to Know (2025 Guide)

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SahilZion
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Southwest Airlines Pet Fee: Everything You Need to Know (2025 Guide)

Traveling with your pet can feel stressful, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) but Southwest Airlines makes the process straightforward with a simple in-cabin pet policy and a clear, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) flat pet fee. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)This guide breaks down everything you need to know โ€” including costs, rules, carrier requirements, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) booking tips, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) and real-world advice to help your trip go smoothly.

1. What Is the Southwest Airlines Pet Fee?

Southwest Airlines charges a flat pet fare per one-way flight, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) and the fee applies per pet carrier, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) not per animal. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)That means you pay the same fee whether you have one pet or two pets in the same carrier (as long as theyโ€™re the same species and fit comfortably).

Southwest Pet Fee (2025):

$95 per one-way flight per pet carrier

The pet fee is refundable if you cancel your ticket or your pet can no longer travel. However, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)you must pay the fee in person at the airport ticket counterโ€”Southwest does not allow prepayment online.

2. Southwest Airlines Pet Policy Overview

Southwest only accepts pets in the cabin. They do not transport animals in cargo.

Allowed Pets

Small domestic cats Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Small domestic dogs Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Not Allowed

Exotic animals Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Large pets that cannot fit in an under-seat carrier Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Emotional support animals (ESAs) no longer fly for free โ€” theyโ€™re treated as pets Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Unaccompanied minors traveling with pets Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

3. Pet Carrier Requirements

Southwest has specific rules for approved pet carriers: Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

Carrier Size & Structure

Must be leak-proof and well-ventilated

Must fit completely under the seat in front of you

Pet must be able to stand up and turn around naturally

Either hard-sided or soft-sided carriers are acceptable

Passenger Rules

Only one carrier per ticketed passenger

Up to two pets may share one carrier (must be the same species)

The carrier counts as either your personal item or carry-on item

You cannot sit in exit rows or seats with restricted under-seat space

4. How Many Pets Are Allowed Per Flight?

Southwest allows up to six pet carriers per flight, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) accepted on a first-come, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) first-served basis. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) This makes it important to add your pet to your reservation early, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) especially during holidays or peak travel seasons.

5. Check-In Process for Pets

Traveling with a pet on Southwest is simple, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)but you must follow these steps:

1. Arrive at the airport early

Pet check-in must be done at the ticket counter. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

2. Pay the pet fare

Youโ€™ll pay the $95 pet fee and receive a โ€œpet cabinโ€ tag for your carrier. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)

3. Keep your pet inside the carrier

Pets must remain fully inside their carrier at all times โ€” in the airport, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) at the gate, during boarding, and for the entire flight.

4. Board normally

Once onboard, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)slide the carrier under the seat in front of you. You cannot remove the pet at any point.

6. Behavioral & Health Requirements

Southwest requires pets to be:

Healthy and well-behaved

Clean, odorless, and not disruptive

Free from aggressive behavior

If a pet appears unhealthy or unsafe, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง) Southwest can refuse transport.

Note: Southwest does not provide oxygen masks or medical support for pets.

7. Service Animals vs. Pets

Service animals are not charged a pet fee. Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)They must be trained service dogs performing a specific disability-related task. Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must fly under the pet policy.

8. Pros & Cons of Traveling With Pets on Southwest

Pros

Flat, predictable pet fee

Pets travel in-cabin only โ€” never in cargo

Ability to bring two small pets in one carrier

Refundable if plans change

Cons

Pet spaces are limited (only six carriers per flight)

Pet fee cannot be paid online

Seat restrictions (no exit rows)

No medical care for pets onboard

9. Tips to Make Flying With a Pet on Southwest Easier

Call ahead after booking to confirm pet space

Arrive early โ€” the check-in counter is the only place to pay

Use a soft-sided carrier to fit under the seat more easily

Line your carrier with an absorbent pad

Avoid giving pets food or water right before boarding

Bring chew toys or a small blanket to keep them calm

10. SEO-Optimized FAQ

How much is the Southwest pet fee?

The pet fee is $95 per one-way flight per pet carrier.

Can I pay the Southwest pet fee online?

No. Pet fees must be paid at the airport ticket counter.

Are pets allowed in cargo on Southwest?

No. Southwest only allows in-cabin pet travel.

How many pets can I bring?

One carrier per person, Call ๐Ÿฃ~(๐Ÿช๐Ÿค๐Ÿช)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿซ)โ‡ขโ‡  (๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿง)with up to two same-species pets inside.

Is the Southwest pet fee refundable?

Yes. Itโ€™s refundable if your trip or pet reservation is canceled.

Do service animals fly free on Southwest?

Yes. Trained service dogs fly at no cost.

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