Dogs and cats can travel in-cabin with ticketed passengers, as checked baggage or unaccompanied as cargo. All options require advance reservaton and subject to a fee. If your pet is an animal other than a dog or cat, please contact United reservations directly for information.
Advance arrangements are not a guarantee that your animal will travel on a specific flight. To be as humane as possible, the airline reserves the right to refuse to transport an animal for reasons of illness, poor kenneling or extreme temperation at origin, transfer or destination airports. United retains the right to refuse carriage of any animal that demonstrates aggressive or violent behavior.
Summer Embargo-Breed Restriction:
For the safety of the animal, United does not accept the following short-nosed dog breeds as either checked baggage or cargo from approximately June 1-September 30 (verify exact dates with United at time of reservation). This restriction does not apply to animals traveling in-cabin:
Boston Terrior
Boxer
English/French Bulldog
King Charles Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Pug
Shar-Pei
Shih Tzu
Health Documentation:
Passengers are required to make sure all health and pet travel documents are current and in compliance with local, state, federal and international entry requirements and regulations. The passenger will assume full responsibility for penalties assessed by agencies for non-compliance of pet health and entry requirements.
Carry-on:
Fully weaned dogs or cats at least 8 weeks old and domesticated household birds (canaries, finches, parakeets) can travel with a ticketed passenger in cabin provided the pet fits and stays comfortably in a kennel under the seat. Tropical birds such as parrots are not allowed. No pets in cabin allowed on flights to Hawaii.
Checked Luggage:
Dogs and cats may be checked as baggage and ride in pressurized, heated cargo compartments on the aircraft with a ticketed passenger. Pets traveling as checked baggage will accepted at the airport check-in counter and delivered to the baggage claim area on arrival at the final destination.
Fees:
Fee for pet traveling with a ticketed passenger in cabin is $80 USD/$125 CAD within the US and between the US and Canada, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. The charge to ship a animals is $100 for small/medium size kennels; $200 for intermediate to extra large kennels for domestic one way travel. International rates vary by destination.
Unaccompanied Pets:
Pets traveling in cargo are accepted at the cargo facility and travel in pressurized cargo compartments of the aircraft. Fees vary based on weight, size and destination. Extreme weather guidelines apply, preventing cargo shipment of any live animal when temperature is forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in the animal's journey.
Making Arrangements
If a pet is traveling with a ticketed passenger as either carry-on or checked baggage, reservation must be made through United Airlines reservations. If a pet is traveling unaccompanied in the cargo hole, reservations are made through United Cargo. If a pet is traveling as cargo on a flight with a ticketed passenger, United Cargo should prior to making ticket reservation.
Things to Remember:
Travel Outside the United States:
Travel to the EU, as of October 1, 2004, a new regulation requires that import into and transiting of all dogs and cats not only must have anti-rabies vaccinations certificate, but also must have an implanted microchip or clearly readable tattoo. Pets not meeting these requirements will be refused entry. Pets are not allowed in-cabin or as checked baggage on flights to the United Kingdom. International flights have additional requirements involving labeling, shipper's certificate and international conventions. Contact United in advance of pet making an international trip.
For all flights, pet must arrive at the airport early. Check with United for acceptance cutoff time for the flight. Pets cannot be checked in more than 4 hours prior to flight (6 hrs by special arrangement).
Airline Responsibility:
Important considerations for acceptance of pets include health and disposition. As an airline cannot transport a pet that is either violent or dangerously ill, a health certificate will help minimize questions. The airline must also determine whether kennel marking and sizing is in order. This is especially important because USDA assigns airlines final responsibility for the safety and compliance of kennels accepted. Finally, airlines must assure that facilities are able to handle animals at transfer airports or final destinations. The USDA has clear guidelines on allowable temperature limits for animal holding areas, which airlines must obey.
Passenger/Owner Responsibility:
Passengers are required to make sure health and pet travel documents are current and in compliance with local, state, federal and international entry requirements/regulations. The passenger/owner will assume full responsibility for penalties assessed by agencies for non-compliance of pet health or entry requirements.
Travel Tips:
Kennels:
Both the pet owner and United are required to follow USDA regulations related to the size of pet's kennel. The kennel must be sturdy, properly ventilated and large enough for the pet to stand, lie down and turn around freely. Kennel must close securely with a mechanism requiring no special tools to operate. When in doubt, check with United, as the USDA assins full responsibility for accepting the property kennel to the airline.
Kennel Requirements
Pet's kennel must:
Kennel Checklist
This information was paraphrased from United Airlines information on their website and that obtained by telephone discussions with their reservations agents. It is provided for the use of our visitors in determining the applicability of flying their pet. Anyone making such arrangements should verify and satisfy for themselves that the information is current and accurate before proceeding. No guarantee is given or implied by Vacation Guides USA as to the accuracy of statements made by the airline.