Here's what I wish someone had told me before booking Southwest for a dog: they welcome small dogs in the cabin, but cargo is off the table entirely. That single line changes everything about how you plan. Cooper has done this trip three times now, and knowing a carrier's limits up front is what saves you the last-minute scramble. Let's walk through it together.

Southwest Airlines's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How Southwest Airlines handles your pet

Key points

  • Southwest Airlines only accepts pets in the cabin; pets are not transported in checked baggage or cargo
  • A maximum of six (6) pet carriers are allowed per flight, one per ticketed customer
  • Pets must remain in their carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight
  • Southwest does not accept emotional support animals; only trained service dogs are recognised

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Not accepted
Snub-nosed breedsAccepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-10-10
Snub-nosed breeds banned Noverified 2026-10-22
Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-10-10
Max pets per flight6verified 2026-10-10
Max pets per passenger1verified 2026-10-10
Booking methodPhoneverified 2026-10-10
Own seat allowed Noverified 2026-10-26
Max pets per carrier2verified 2026-10-10
Crate must have/beventilated, a carrierverified 2026-10-10

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-10
Cargo: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-10

Health & documents

Health certificate required Noverified 2026-10-22

Service & assistance animals

Esa noteESAs and emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals. Only fully trained service dogs are accepted under Southwest's policy.verified 2026-10-10
Fee waived Yesverified 2026-10-10
Recognized Yesverified 2026-10-10
Cabin allowed Yesverified 2026-10-10
Esa recognized Noverified 2026-10-10
Forms required
  • U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
verified 2026-10-10
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-10-10
Breed restrictionsService Animal means a dog, regardless of breedverified 2026-10-10
Documentation required
  • U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
verified 2026-10-10

Exceptions to the standard rules

Cases where the rules differ from the ones above.

  • Active-duty military — Southwest Airlines military pet exceptions source

    Fee waiver may apply for active-duty military. Contact Southwest reservations with military orders.

  • Trained service dog — Southwest Airlines policy source

    No fee for trained service dogs

    Service dogs travel at handler's feet, no carrier required

    Breed restrictions typically do not apply to trained service dogs

    No size/weight limit for service dogs in cabin

  • Emotional support animal — treated as regular pet by Southwest Airlines source

    ESA letters are not accepted. Your pet travels under standard pet policy with applicable fees and restrictions.

Southwest charges a Carryon Pet Charge of 125 USD per pet carrier on U.S. Mainland flights, one way. Budget 125 USD for each direction of travel. A round trip means 250 USD total in pet charges. Add this amount when comparing fares. Pay it at the time of booking or check-in as the carrier requires for the in-cabin carrier slot.
You've got the big Southwest decisions in front of you now, and that's honestly half the battle. Every trip has its own wrinkles, though, so before you book anything, build a personalized plan for your exact route and your own dog. Pawgo's plan-builder walks you through it step by step, the way I wish someone had done for me. You've got this.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Southwest Airlines →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.