Airline pet policy

United Airlines pet policy

United Airlines takes dogs and cats in the cabin (2 per passenger), but not as checked baggage or as cargo on the routes we cover. 2 of 10 policy rows still need the airline's confirmation before you book.

Policy checked Oct 26, 2026Source: United Airlines By the CollarPass team
In cabinConfirm before bookingDogs and cats2 per passengerRead the route rules Checked baggageNot acceptedNot carried on the routes we cover.Read the route rules CargoNot acceptedNot carried on the routes we cover.Read the route rules

In the cabin

Pets in the cabin travel in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The rows below are per route, so check yours.

Dogs and cats

Not acceptedTo 32 places, including Australia, Barbados and Brazil

United restricts cabin pets on the routes below. Check the pet page and contract of carriage for the destination and direction of travel.

  • Pet-page list: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Greenland, Guam (flights back to Guam only), Guyana, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
  • Spain is closed to cabin pets only to or from Bilbao, and Taiwan only on Kaohsiung–Tokyo Narita and Taipei–Guam. Norway is on the contract of carriage's list but not on the pet page.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Not acceptedFrom 31 places, including Australia, Barbados and Brazil

United restricts cabin pets on the routes below. Check the pet page and contract of carriage for the destination and direction of travel.

  • Pet-page list: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Greenland, Guam (flights back to Guam only), Guyana, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
  • Spain is closed to cabin pets only to or from Bilbao, and Taiwan only on Kaohsiung–Tokyo Narita and Taipei–Guam. Norway is on the contract of carriage's list but not on the pet page.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

AcceptedFrom United States to United States

Within the US, United takes cats and dogs at least 2 months old in the cabin, in a carrier that fits under the seat in front (hard-sided up to 44 × 30 × 22 cm, soft-sided up to 45 × 27 × 27 cm; 25 cm high at most on the 737 MAX). There is no weight limit as long as the pet fits comfortably. Up to 2 pets per person, one per carrier; the second pet needs its own seat next to yours.

  • 2 per passenger
  • 1 per crate
  • At least 2 months old

Fees: USD 150 — Each way (CAD 150 in Canada)

Before you fly: Space must be reserved ahead. Add the pet when you book on united.com or in My Trips (not in the United app); for international flights, call United to add it.

  • One pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8, 737-900 and 737-9. United caps pets per cabin by aircraft (for example 4 in Economy on most narrow-bodies, 6 on the 767, 777 and 787).
  • United's FAQ and booking page still say one pet per person; ask United how to book the second pet.
  • Not in exit rows, bulkhead rows, United Premium Plus or the first row of a cabin. Some United Express flights take no pets.
  • The contract of carriage refuses "dogs of certain breeds" without naming them, while the pet page says there are no breed limits.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · United reservations (booking a pet) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Dogs

AcceptedFrom 55 places, including United States, Canada and Mexico to United States, Canada and Mexico

Between the US or Canada and Mexico, the Caribbean, Central or South America, United takes dogs at least 6 months old in the cabin, in a carrier that fits under the seat in front (hard-sided up to 44 × 30 × 22 cm, soft-sided up to 45 × 27 × 27 cm; 25 cm high at most on the 737 MAX). There is no weight limit as long as the pet fits comfortably. Up to 2 pets per person, one per carrier; the second pet needs its own seat next to yours.

  • 2 per passenger
  • 1 per crate
  • At least 6 months old

Fees: USD 150 — Each way (CAD 150 in Canada)

Before you fly: Space must be reserved ahead. Add the pet when you book on united.com or in My Trips (not in the United app); for international flights, call United to add it.

  • One pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8, 737-900 and 737-9. United caps pets per cabin by aircraft (for example 4 in Economy on most narrow-bodies, 6 on the 767, 777 and 787).
  • United's FAQ and booking page still say one pet per person; ask United how to book the second pet.
  • Not in exit rows, bulkhead rows, United Premium Plus or the first row of a cabin. Some United Express flights take no pets.
  • The contract of carriage refuses "dogs of certain breeds" without naming them, while the pet page says there are no breed limits.
  • For international flights United asks for a health certificate and a rabies vaccination given at least 28 days before travel.
  • Dogs flying into Mexico need a screwworm inspection certificate signed by a USDA-accredited vet no more than 5 days before travel.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · United reservations (booking a pet) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Confirm before booking

On other international flights United takes dogs at least 6 months old in the cabin, in a carrier that fits under the seat in front (hard-sided up to 44 × 30 × 22 cm, soft-sided up to 45 × 27 × 27 cm; 25 cm high at most on the 737 MAX). There is no weight limit as long as the pet fits comfortably. Up to 2 pets per person, one per carrier; the second pet needs its own seat next to yours.

  • 2 per passenger
  • 1 per crate
  • At least 6 months old

Fees: USD 150 — Each way (CAD 150 in Canada)

Before you fly: Space must be reserved ahead. Add the pet when you book on united.com or in My Trips (not in the United app); for international flights, call United to add it.

  • One pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8, 737-900 and 737-9. United caps pets per cabin by aircraft (for example 4 in Economy on most narrow-bodies, 6 on the 767, 777 and 787).
  • United's FAQ and booking page still say one pet per person; ask United how to book the second pet.
  • Not in exit rows, bulkhead rows, United Premium Plus or the first row of a cabin. Some United Express flights take no pets.
  • The contract of carriage refuses "dogs of certain breeds" without naming them, while the pet page says there are no breed limits.
  • For international flights United asks for a health certificate and a rabies vaccination given at least 28 days before travel.
  • Of United's US hubs only Washington Dulles (IAD) and Los Angeles (LAX) have a CDC animal care facility. A dog that must use one and lands at LAX outside cargo is moved to cargo there; ask United how it handles this, as it doesn't fly pets as cargo.
Confirm with the airline before booking

United's pet page says pets can fly in the cabin on any United flight, but its contract of carriage (revised 2026-09-30) only lists US domestic and Americas routes, so call United to confirm your flight takes pets in the cabin before you book.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · United reservations (booking a pet) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Cats

AcceptedFrom 55 places, including United States, Canada and Mexico to United States, Canada and Mexico

Between the US or Canada and Mexico, the Caribbean, Central or South America, United takes cats at least 4 months old in the cabin, in a carrier that fits under the seat in front (hard-sided up to 44 × 30 × 22 cm, soft-sided up to 45 × 27 × 27 cm; 25 cm high at most on the 737 MAX). There is no weight limit as long as the pet fits comfortably. Up to 2 pets per person, one per carrier; the second pet needs its own seat next to yours.

  • 2 per passenger
  • 1 per crate
  • At least 4 months old

Fees: USD 150 — Each way (CAD 150 in Canada)

Before you fly: Space must be reserved ahead. Add the pet when you book on united.com or in My Trips (not in the United app); for international flights, call United to add it.

  • One pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8, 737-900 and 737-9. United caps pets per cabin by aircraft (for example 4 in Economy on most narrow-bodies, 6 on the 767, 777 and 787).
  • United's FAQ and booking page still say one pet per person; ask United how to book the second pet.
  • Not in exit rows, bulkhead rows, United Premium Plus or the first row of a cabin. Some United Express flights take no pets.
  • The contract of carriage refuses "dogs of certain breeds" without naming them, while the pet page says there are no breed limits.
  • For international flights United asks for a health certificate and a rabies vaccination given at least 28 days before travel.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · United reservations (booking a pet) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Confirm before booking

On other international flights United takes cats at least 4 months old in the cabin, in a carrier that fits under the seat in front (hard-sided up to 44 × 30 × 22 cm, soft-sided up to 45 × 27 × 27 cm; 25 cm high at most on the 737 MAX). There is no weight limit as long as the pet fits comfortably. Up to 2 pets per person, one per carrier; the second pet needs its own seat next to yours.

  • 2 per passenger
  • 1 per crate
  • At least 4 months old

Fees: USD 150 — Each way (CAD 150 in Canada)

Before you fly: Space must be reserved ahead. Add the pet when you book on united.com or in My Trips (not in the United app); for international flights, call United to add it.

  • One pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8, 737-900 and 737-9. United caps pets per cabin by aircraft (for example 4 in Economy on most narrow-bodies, 6 on the 767, 777 and 787).
  • United's FAQ and booking page still say one pet per person; ask United how to book the second pet.
  • Not in exit rows, bulkhead rows, United Premium Plus or the first row of a cabin. Some United Express flights take no pets.
  • The contract of carriage refuses "dogs of certain breeds" without naming them, while the pet page says there are no breed limits.
  • For international flights United asks for a health certificate and a rabies vaccination given at least 28 days before travel.
Confirm with the airline before booking

United's pet page says pets can fly in the cabin on any United flight, but its contract of carriage (revised 2026-09-30) only lists US domestic and Americas routes, so call United to confirm your flight takes pets in the cabin before you book.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Contract of Carriage, Rule 23 H) (animals other than service animals) · United reservations (booking a pet) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Rabbits and ferrets

As checked baggage

Pets in the hold as checked baggage check in with you at the desk and fly on the same flight.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets

Not accepted

United no longer carries pets as checked baggage (PetSafe has ended); pets fly only in the cabin.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Checked Oct 26, 2026

As cargo

Pets flying alone go as cargo, usually through the airline’s freight arm, with different drop-off and collection rules.

Dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets

Not accepted

United only carries pets in the hold for US military and State Department staff on official moves (Guam–Honolulu); other travellers can't ship pets as cargo.

Sources: Traveling with pets · Military pet program · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Country pages for these routes

Entry rules for the countries named in the rows above.

🇦🇺Australia🇨🇦Canada🌺Hawaii🇮🇪Ireland🇲🇽Mexico🇳🇿New Zealand🇬🇧United Kingdom🇺🇸United StatesCountries

Official sources

Every row above cites one of these pages. Dates show our last check, not the page’s own update.

Put this policy on a dated plan

A Trip Pack turns your route into steps counted back from the flight, with the airline rules to check.