United Airlines Pet Travel Policy (2026 Guide)
United Airlines welcomes domesticated dogs and cats to travel in the aircraft cabin on domestic and select international flights when space is available. The pet must remain inside an airline-approved hard or soft kennel that fits under the seat in front of the customer.
Can I fly with a pet on United Airlines? Yes. United Airlines allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin provided the pet and carrier weigh no more than the under-seat allowance kg and fit in a compliant carrier. Larger pets may travel in the cargo hold.
Carrier Sizing & Dimension Mandates
Hard: 17.5 × 12 × 7.5 in (44 × 30 × 19 cm) • Soft: 18 × 11 × 11 in (45 × 28 × 28 cm)
Must be waterproof, bite-proof, ventilated on at least 3 sides, and capable of stowing completely under the seat in front of you without compressing your pet.
Rigid plastic or fiberglass with metal bolts and nuts
Wooden crates and plastic side-latches are strictly rejected. The crate must feature 4-sided ventilation, attachable two-compartment food/water dishes accessible from the exterior, and allow the pet to stand fully upright with at least 5 to 7 cm (2–3 in) of ear clearance.
United Airlines Boarding & Flight Regulations
- ✓Carry-on pets are limited to dogs and cats only.
- ✓Pet must be at least 2 months old for domestic travel and 4 months old for international itineraries.
- ✓United does not permit pets in the cabin on flights to or from Hawaii, the UK, Australia, or Guam.
- ✓Passengers traveling with in-cabin pets cannot sit in exit rows or bulkhead seats.
- ✓The pet fee is $150 each way with a $150 service charge for each layover of more than four hours within the U.S.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) & Restricted Breeds
Due to elevated risks of respiratory failure, heatstroke, and anatomical airway obstruction during flight changes in cabin pressure, airlines maintain strict breed restrictions:
Step-by-Step Booking Checklist for United Airlines
Book your ticket on united.com or the United mobile app.
Select "Add pet to reservation" during booking or manage your trip online to secure pet quota.
Verify kennel clearance against your specific aircraft seat diagram.
Check in with a United customer service agent at the airport counter to verify kennel sizing and receive your pet tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About United Airlines
What is United Airlines pet fee?
United charges $150 each way for a pet traveling in the cabin, plus an additional $150 for any domestic layover exceeding four hours.
Can I fly my large dog in cargo on United?
No. United Airlines indefinitely suspended its civilian PetSafe cargo program. Large pets that cannot fit under the seat cannot currently fly on United commercial flights.
Does United allow two cats in one carrier?
United allows two small puppies or kittens of the same breed between 2 and 6 months old in one carrier, provided they have enough room to stand and turn around naturally.
Airport Layover Station
Pet relief stations available at all major United hubs including Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), and San Francisco (SFO).
Check IATA Crate Sizing
Airlines inspect crates at check-in with strict mathematical formulas (Snout-to-tail length + half leg height).
Launch Free Compliance Check→Upload Pet Documents
Upload vaccination records, microchip paperwork, or rabies titer certificates to check if they fulfill destination country laws before paying airline cargo deposits.
Instant OCR Document Scan↓