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Traveling with animals

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United is committed to providing a safe and comfortable travel experience for all of our customers, including pets. Because we share our customers' concern that their pets' flights are stress-free, we have enhanced our animal acceptance policy to transport pets as both baggage (accompanying a passenger on the same plane) and cargo. Our program is called PetSafe®.

The program offers the following options:

• Customers can track their animals traveling as cargo online throughout their journey.
• United will continue to accept small pets for travel in cabin in applicable markets.
• United's policy for service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, has not changed and they will continue to be welcomed on board or as checked baggage.
• Pets can travel United's cargo service offering same day, airport-to-airport delivery with features designed to ensure an animal's comfort and safety.

Safeguards for pets traveling as cargo

United's PetSafe program will allow pets that travel as checked baggage or cargo to experience these safeguards, keeping them safe and their owners reassured:

• Dedicated 24-hour live animal desk (1-800-575-3335 or 1-832-235-1541)
• Confirmed booking prior to departure
• Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points
• The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination
• Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over United's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes
• United recommends (but does not require) that senior dogs and cats (more than 7.5 years old) receive a more extensive health examination (i.e., liver and kidney screens).
• United will accept all animals (traveling as checked baggage or cargo) only at our cargo facilities or SPD/QuickPak counters or where these products are accepted at your local airport. Animals will no longer be accepted at passenger ticket counters, unless these counters are designated as SPD or QuickPak locations.

Terms and conditions

These pages are for informative purposes only and do not form a contract. As such, any information contained within this site is subject to change with or without notice. United assumes no liability for these changes. United also reserves the right to interpret and apply these policies and procedures. In each case, United's interpretations and applications shall be final and conclusive.