How To Fly With Your Pet On Southwest Airlines? 

Pets are domesticated animals. With the passage of time, you grow a stronger bonding with your pets. It further construes that life without pets appears meaningless to some of few especially to those who live alone or physically challenged. Hence, like any other advanced country in the world, flying with pets is a common sight in the US. But, if you are to fly with Southwest Airlines, for instance,  please take out some time to read the Southwest pet policy in the first place. This, in turn, will help you avoid many issues later.

Key areas of the Southwest pet policy: 

Advance booking for pets

This might sound awkward but true that you have to make an advance booking for your pet calling the number 1-800-435-9792 whenever flying with the Southwest Airlines. Fare per pet is $95 and maximum 6 pets per flight are allowed. However, the maximum number of pets per flight is reduced based on circumstances. However, you cannot carry pets on international flights or flights that would pass through international routes during its’ itinerary.

How to fly with pets

A passenger on a ticket is permitted to fly with a single pet in domestic flights only. You have to hold your pet high for security check and at the same time, will have to put it in the leakproof standard pet carriers (LxHxW = 17″ x 10.5″x 10″) with proper ventilation. However, pets inside the carriers must be able to walk and they must not be crammed into the same. It is important to mention that there is no uniform practice as regards the pet’s carrier size. You have to check with the specific airliner before traveling. If you are traveling with Southwest Airlines, you have the option of buying one for your pet at $58.

You have to put the pets’ carrier below the front seat of you and that’s the only place you can keep your pets within the flight. You cannot block the aisle with the pet carriers. On top of it, pets must not be less than 8 weeks of age.

Clean pets

All pets must be clean and free of fleas and odor. You can carry up to two dogs, for instance, of the similar breed and age. In other words, you can fly with 2 cats or 2 dogs of similar species and age group in a single carrier.

Harmless pets

Your pets must not be aggressive thereby must not pose any threat to other passengers. However, the final call of allowing your pet within the flight rests with the decision of the people working for the airliner.

Pet’s leftovers

The airliner doesn’t accept your pets’ leftovers such as the faeces.

Disclaimer

The airliner doesn’t take any responsibility for the pets’ well-being. In the case of an emergency, the airline doesn’t make oxygen mask available to the pets. On top of it, the airliner doesn’t accept liability in the case of your pet’s death at the time of boarding the flight or deplaning.

However, to know more about the Southwest pet policy, you should visit sites having detailed information on the same. This, in turn, will help you avoid many hurdles later during your itinerary.