Southwest Airlines

Service Animals (In-Cabin & Support)

Southwest Airlines welcomes fully trained service dogs individually trained to perform tasks for qualified individuals with disabilities. Only dogs trained as service animals are accepted.

• Service animals in training, emotional support animals, and therapy animals may travel as pets under the pet policy.
• Your trained service dog must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and onboard.
• The dog must be well-behaved and under your control; disruptive or threatening dogs will be refused transportation.

Documentation Requirements

• Present a completed U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation form at ticket counter or gate on travel day.
• The form must be dated on or after your ticket purchase date.
• Service animal vests, harnesses, ID cards, or registration certificates are not accepted in place of the form.

At the Airport

• Check in with a Southwest Customer Service Agent at ticket or departure gate counter to present the form.
• Employees may ask questions to verify your dog is a trained service dog or eligible as a pet.
• Service dog relief areas are available at all served locations.

Seating and Onboard Policies

Flights with Open Seating (departing on or before January 26, 2026)

• You may sit anywhere except emergency exit seats.
• Your dog must sit at your feet or in your lap if no larger than a child under two years old.
• If using a carrier, it must be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
• Dogs may not block exits, extend into aisles, occupy seats or tray tables, or encroach on neighboring seats.

Flights with Assigned Seating (departing on or after January 27, 2026)

• Seat selection to accommodate your service dog may be available at booking depending on fare type.
• You may sit anywhere except emergency exit seats.
• Your dog must sit at your feet or in your lap if no larger than a child under two years old.
• If using a carrier, it must be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
• Dogs may not block exits, extend into aisles, occupy seats or tray tables, or encroach on neighboring seats.
• For bulkhead or specific seats needed for your service dog, call Southwest after booking no later than 24 hours before departure.

Additional Information and Restrictions

• Acceptance policies and documentation vary for travel to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and international destinations; compliance with local laws is your responsibility.
• Trained service dogs are not accepted for travel to/from Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ).
• Dogs arriving to the U.S. from international destinations must:
  • Appear healthy
  • Be at least six months old
  • Be microchipped
  • Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
• Additional documentation is required for dogs from high-risk countries.
• Failure to meet CDC requirements will result in denial of travel with your dog.
• If traveling on a Getaways by Southwest vacation booking, check with your hotel, airport transportation, or rental car supplier about service dog policies.

Traveling with Service Dogs to Hawaii

• You must comply fully with Hawaii’s animal transportation laws and documentation requirements.
• Hawaii Department of Agriculture documentation must be verified with a Customer Service Agent at departure and connecting cities.
• Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the only entry point for dogs unless a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit is issued by HDOA.
• If you lack the permit at departure, you must be rebooked to HNL.
• Dogs denied entry to other Hawaii destinations will be transported to HNL for inspection or out-of-state at owner’s expense.
• All service dogs must be declared by submitting the Plants and Animals Declaration Form online to HDOA before travel.
• Dogs arriving without proper documentation may be quarantined up to 120 days in Honolulu at owner’s expense.
• Southwest Airlines is not responsible for costs incurred due to lack of proper documentation.

In-Cabin Carrier Details

Southwest Airlines allows small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs in an appropriate pet carrier in the cabin on domestic flights. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel.

• One pet carrier per ticketed customer.
• Each carrier may contain no more than two of the same species (small cat or dog).
• Space is limited; reservations are recommended in advance.
• Pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.
• The pet must be completely inside the carrier and able to stand and move comfortably.

Pet Carrier Requirements

• Specifically designed as pet carriers (soft or hard).
• Leak-proof and well ventilated.
• Dimensions:
  • Southwest Airlines carrier: 17" (L) x 10" (W) x 9.5" (H)
  • Other carriers: maximum 18.5" (L) x 13.5" (W) x 9.5" (H)
• Carriers count as either a personal item or a carry-on item.
• You may board with a pet carrier plus either a personal item or a regular carry-on bag.

During Travel

• Pets must be secured in the carrier at all times in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and throughout the flight.
• Failure to comply may result in denial of transportation.
• Carriers must be stowed under the seat while onboard.
• At security, you will hold your pet while the carrier is X-rayed; all carriers are subject to search.
• Customers traveling with pets board with their assigned boarding group.
• For reservations booked or changed on or before May 27, 2025, pet strollers or crates may be checked for free.
• Pet relief areas are available at all served locations; flights will not be held for pet relief stops.

Air travel can be stressful for pets. Consult your veterinarian to determine if your pet can travel safely, especially if your pet has heart disease, anxiety disorders, or brachycephalic airways.

Additional Information

• Pets do not earn Rapid Rewards points.
• Cremated pet remains may be carried onboard as a carry-on item.
• Remains must be inspected at security and cannot be checked baggage.
• Use a temporary plastic or cardboard container for remains to facilitate X-ray screening.
• If the container cannot be screened, it will be opened for inspection or denied passage.