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  • 24-01-2025
  • Category: travel
  • Author: Elijah
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Planning an air journey is a complex task and becomes more difficult when passengers want to accompany their pets. Concerning that, if you are planning to fly with United Airlines to a desired destination along with your pets, then it's mandatory to comply with the airline's guidelines regarding traveling with pets. However, United Airlines has modified its pet policy in 2025, which allows flying with domesticated cats, dogs, and household birds without any breed or weight restrictions. Apart from that, if you want to accumulate additional information regarding the new modification for United Airlines pet policy, then you should get along with the below-mentioned section to get below.

     United Airlines ESA Policy:

        Before planning an air journey, a passenger should go through United Airlines ESA, which is stated below-

  • As per United Airlines' new pet policy, emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals.
  • The airlines accept psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) as legitimate service animals.
  • United Airlines allows the free flying of PDS animals, but they will require the essential documents.
  • Remember that PDS needs to be pre-approved by United Airlines so that they can make the arrangements accordingly
  • As per the United Airlines pet policy, PDS animals must be well-trained so that they can perform specific tasks for people with psychiatric conditions.

Note: The passenger should always check United Airlines' updated policy on flying with pets to ensure a hassle-free journey, which is available website of the United Airlines.

A List of ESAs That Are Permitted on United Airlines:

Below is the list of points regarding the eligible or permitted list of ESAs that United Airlines will take on board for traveling with their owners. So, when you have all the details referring to permitted ESA pets, then you are getting the eligibility in terms of making your journey more convenient-

  • Psychiatric service dogs: United Airlines will allow the flying of PSD only if the owner has the proper paperwork, including a legitimate PSD letter.
  • Service dogs: United Airlines has allowed service animals, including seeing-eye and guide dogs.
  • Small, non-service animals: United Airlines allows passengers to carry small non-service dogs as in-cabin pets.
  • Domesticated dogs, cats, or household birds: If they comply with United Airlines requirements, domesticated dogs, cats, or household birds can be carried on as carry-on.

Frequently Asked Questions-

How Much Does United Airlines Charge for Pets?

If passengers want to fly with United Airlines along with their pets, they must pay the required amount. With reference to that, United charges $125 each way to travel along with pets within the main cabin for most of its domestic flights. However,  it can vary up to $150 each way for the tickets purchased after April 26, 2024.

What Are the Rules for Flying with a Dog?

United Airlines allows only domesticated dogs to fly in the main cabin or cargo. However, they have to meet the requirements of the airline, which are listed below-

The dog must be at least of 8 weeks to fly with United Airlines.
The passenger should keep the dog in a ventilated kennel or carrier, allowing them to move freely inside.
The carrier must be soft-sided or hard-sided.
United Airlines requires certain documents for the pets flying in the cargo or cabin, including the vaccination certificate.
The size of the carrier must be up to 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches (L x W x H) for hard-sided carriers and 18 x 11 x 11 inches (L x W x H) for soft-sided carriers.

How Strict Is United with Pet Carrier Size?

United Airlines is generally strict about the pet carrier size allowed in the main cabin. Therefore, the carrier size should not exceed 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches (L x W x H) for hard-sided carriers and 18 x 11 x 11 inches (L x W x H) for soft-sided carriers.

Do I Need a Health Certificate to Fly with My Dog United?

Yes, United Airlines will require a health certificate signed by a veterinarian for the dogs traveling in the main cabin to ensure the pet is stable and in good condition to fly.

Can My Dog Sit on My Lap During a Flight?

As per United Airlines' general guidelines, passengers are not allowed to travel with dogs on their laps during a flight. Instead, the pets are supposed to be kept in a proper carrier or Kennel that meets the airline's size requirements.

How Much Is a Carry-On Pet Fee?

If a passenger wants to fly with a United Airlines carry-on pet, they must pay the required fees, which can cost around $125. Apart from that, they cannot use travel credits to pay the charges, and service animals are exempted from this fee.