Traveling with pets

Bringing your cat or dog with you on your trip is fun, but there are some rules you’ll have to follow. If you’re looking for information on traveling with service animals, we can also help with that.

Getting ready

At the airport

On the plane

Getting ready

Traveling with pets in-cabin is only allowed for cats and dogs when there’s space available. Here’s what you need to know, regardless of which type of furry friend you have.

Or, if you’re ready to book a trip for you and your pet you can do that now.

Book trip

While there are no weight or breed limitations for pets, they must travel in either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier. This carrier must fit under the seat in front of you or you cannot fly with your pet. There can only be one pet per carrier, and they must be able to stand up and turn around while inside. The only animals allowed on planes without a pet carrier are service animals.

Hard-sided carrier

Soft-sided carrier

Prepping to fly

Gather paperwork

Some countries don’t allow pets to travel at all. Others have strict rules for rabies vaccines. Make sure you have all your paperwork and proof of vaccination in order before you leave.

Booking pet tickets

All you have to do is select “Travel with a pet” as a traveler during booking on united.com. Or, you can go to My Trips to add a pet to an existing trip. You cannot add a pet to your trip on the United app.

Book now

There is a $125 fee each way for traveling with your pet. There is also a $125 fee for each layover of more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally. You cannot use travel credits to pay this fee.

Traveler pro tips

We have a few recommendations to help you pack a pet-friendly travel kit:

Remember to bring all the essentials to care for your pet while you’re still at the airport, including a collapsible water bowl, leash, treats and plastic bags.
To keep them calm on the flight, it always helps to have a favorite toy, blanket or pillow that smells familiar.

At the airport

Here’s what you need to know once you get to the airport.

Checking in

Check in for your flight at the ticket counter. You’ll need both your own and your pet’s confirmation numbers, which you can find in your email or in My Trips. We’ll also give you a special bag tag for your pet’s carrier.

Pet relief areas

Many airports have places you can take your pet to use the bathroom while you’re there. Use the airport maps feature on the United app to see where they’re located.

On the plane

Once you’re on your flight, there’s only one rule you need to follow. Your pet must stay in their carrier with the door closed, and under your seat at all times. They need to be able to stand up and turn all the way around while in their carrier.

Traveling with pets FAQs

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 arrival in the U.S. for both dogs and cats. 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
As long as your destination allows pets, you can take them with you on any flight operated by United or United Express. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll need to call 1-800-864-8331 to add a pet to your reservation. If you’re traveling on multiple airlines, including our partners, you’ll also need to check with each one to see what their pet policy is.
United does not allow pets to fly to, from or even through the below list of states and countries.
- Australia
- Barbados
- Cuba
- Guam *
- French Polynesia (Tahiti)
- Hawaii
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia, Federated States of
- New Zealand
- Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Philippines
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Tahiti
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
- United Kingdom
* You can bring a pet on flights from Guam to Tokyo-Narita. You cannot bring your pet on the flight back to Guam.

We do have pet exemptions for members of the U.S. military on permanent change of station and their spouses, as well as State Department foreign service officers and their spouses.
We no longer offer PetSafe, except as part of our military and State Department pet exemptions.
On domestic flights, puppies and kittens must be at least 2 months old. On international flights, they must be at least 4 months old to comply with vaccination requirements.

Pet max per cabin	Type of plane
Up to 2 pets allowed in premium cabins	Airbus 319 Airbus 320 Boeing 737¹ Boeing 757-300ER Bombardier CRJ EMB 175 EMB 145
Up to 4 pets allowed in Economy	Airbus 319 Airbus 320 Boeing 737¹ Boeing 757-200² Boeing 757-300ER Bombardier CRJ EMB 175 EMB 145
Up to 6 pets allowed in Economy	Boeing 767 Boeing 777 Boeing 787

Traveling with pets

Getting ready