Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
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
Domestic flights only + inter-Hawaii. No checked baggage or cargo. Max 6 carriers per flight. 2 same-species pets per carrier. USD 125 per carrier each way (USD 35 inter-Hawaii). Vaccinated pets only.
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
Cabin policy
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-07-14
Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-07-07
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-07-07
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-07-07
Booking methodcalling usverified 2026-07-07
Banned destinations✗ Yesverified 2026-07-23
Min age weeks8 weeksverified 2026-07-15
Max pets per carrier2verified 2026-07-15
Crate must have/behard-sided ok, ventilated, a carrierverified 2026-07-22
Hold: Crate must have/beventilatedverified 2026-07-15
Cargo: Pets accepted✗ Not acceptedverified 2026-07-15
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
How much does it cost to fly a pet on Southwest Airlines?
On flights within Metropolitan France, Southwest Airlines charges from 125 USD in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
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.
