United runs one of the busier US cabin-pet programs Pixel and I have looked at. Cabin only — no checked-baggage option for pets — with two animals max per passenger and a 48-hour booking window for the flight.
United 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 United Airlines treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cabin | 96% | |
| Carrier max size | 45 × 27 × 27 cm (L × W × H) | 94% | |
| Pets per passenger | Up to 2 per passenger | 95% | |
| One-way fee | 150 USD | 93% |
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Not accepted in the hold | 92% | |
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not accepted in the hold | 85% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Not yet documented | — |
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on United Airlines?
- United Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on United Airlines?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, United Airlines charges from 150 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.
United charges $150 per pet, each way, per segment. A one-stop itinerary doubles to $300 each direction. Pay during booking through Manage Reservations or at the airport counter. The fee is non-refundable once the pet is added — even when the flight is later cancelled by the traveler or rerouted by United to a different equipment type.
If you're booking United for your dog or cat, the rules are tight but reasonable. Add the carrier dimensions and the 48-hour window to your plan and you'll skip the at-counter surprises.
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.