Service animals

You can fly with up to two service dogs for free, as long as they meet some requirements.

Who can fly

The only service animals permitted on United and United Express flights are dogs over 4 months old who are trained to perform tasks for someone with a disability.

Types of animals

We only allow service dogs flying with their owners, or service dogs in training who are flying with their trainers, on our flights for free.

Learn more about the differences between service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals:

Service animals

Dogs trained to help someone with a disability. These disabilities can be physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive or other disabilities that require assistance.

Therapy animals

Pets trained and registered with a therapy organization. They visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools. You can fly with a therapy dog or cat as a pet.

Emotional support animals

Pets that help ease their owners’ anxiety or depression through companionship. You can fly with an emotional support dog or cat as a pet.

What you need to fly

If you're traveling with a service animal, we require you complete a couple of Department of Transportation (DOT) forms. These forms will ask for your service animal’s weight, breed, vaccination information and vet information.

If you have a MileagePlus® account, you can sign in and complete these forms online and save them to your trip. If you don't have an account, you can complete the accessible PDF versions linked below. Whether you fill out the forms online or as PDFs, you must print and keep them with you while at the airport and on the plane.

For international flights, as well as flights to Hawaii and Guam, the forms can't be completed electronically. You'll need to print and carry them with you during your trip.

When you fill out these forms you guarantee that your dog will not relieve themselves at the gate or on the plane. You also promise they are well trained and in your control at all times. If your dog does need to relieve themselves while at the airport, use the United app to find a designated animal relief area.

How to fly

There are two parts to flying with a service animal: booking your trip and choosing the right seat on the plane.

Book your trip

The first thing you’ll need to do is let us know you’re bringing a service dog. How you do this depends on where you’re going.

For domestic flights

You have two options:

  1. When booking your ticket check the service animal option when entering your traveler information.
  2. When viewing your trip after booking your ticket, select the option to add a service animal.

For international flights

This includes flights to Hawaii and Guam.

Because there might be destination-specific rules for traveling with a service dog, you'll need to call our accessibility desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add one to your trip.

Choose your seat

Your dog should sit in the floor space in front of your seat. They can't be in the aisle or the floor space of the travelers next to you.

You can put your service dog in a pet-carrier if you choose, as long as it meets size requirements.

You can't sit in an exit row with a service animal.

Service animal FAQs

Trained and certified service dogs are allowed to enter into the U.S. However, there are additional requirements for all dogs originating from countries at high-risk for rabies. This includes the following places:

  • Belize
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • China
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Ghana
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Morocco
  • Nigeria
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • South Africa
  • United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

If your service dog was vaccinated for rabies in the United States by a licensed vet, you may re-enter the U.S. from any no-risk, low-risk locations and from the high-risk countries if your service dog meets the following requirements:

  1. Has a rabies vaccination certificate issued from the U.S.
  2. Has proof of a microchip
  3. Is at least 6 months old
  4. Is healthy upon arrival
  5. Arrives at an approved port of entry
  6. Has a CDC dog import permit

You must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit prior to travel. Otherwise, your service dog will be denied entry into the United States.

If vaccinated for rabies outside the United States additional rules apply. Please see the CDC website for more details.

For all international travel, and to Hawaii and Guam, you must contact the Accessibility Desk at U.S. 800-228-2744 or international 313-234-6992 x81067

You can bring up to 2 service dogs on your flight or you can bring 1 service dog and 1 pet.

If you bring both a service dog and a pet on your flight, you must do the following:

  1. Buy an extra seat next to you to accommodate both animals.
  2. For your service dog, follow all policies for traveling with service animals. This includes notifying us you’re bringing one with you and completing the necessary forms.
  3. For your pet, follow all policies for traveling with pets. This includes keeping them in a carrier and paying pet fees.

We require rabies and health certificates for dogs and cats traveling internationally on United. The rabies vaccinations must be completed at least 28 days before travel for both dogs and cats. This applies for all international travel, to and from the United States. Any additional rules for traveling to the U.S. depend on whether or not you’re traveling from a country the CDC considers to be high risk for rabies. We closely follow CDC guidelines on these specific country requirements and recommend checking them to make sure you meet them at least two months before your trip.

If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your pet, we encourage you to get a certificate of health from your vet. Some destinations may request this certificate on arrival. It should include:

  • Your name, phone and address.
  • Info about your pet, including breed, sex, age, color and markings.
  • List of recent vaccines, including names, dates issued and expiration.