United allows domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits and birds to travel accompanied in the aircraft cabin on most flights within the U.S. An in-cabin pet may be carried in addition to a carry-on bag and is subject to a $125 service charge each way. There is an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.

In-cabin pet kennels
A pet traveling in cabin must be carried in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times. The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm). The recommended maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Soft-sided pet carriers may exceed these dimensions slightly, as they are collapsible and able to conform to under-seat space without blocking the aisle. With the exception of birds, there may only be one pet per kennel, and the animal must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably. Two birds may travel in the same kennel.
Service animals
Trained service animals are allowed in-cabin to accompany qualified customers with disabilities. Service animal procedures differ from standard in-cabin pet procedures. Visit the Service Animals section for more information.
International travel
Rules for international in-cabin pets vary. For additional assistance or information, or to book international in-cabin travel for a pet, contact the United Customer Contact Center.
Health declarations and vaccination requirements for dogs entering the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require all dogs entering the U.S., except those arriving from certain rabies-free countries, to be immunized against rabies. Vaccinations must be completed at least 30 days before arrival in the U.S. Since puppies must not be vaccinated before three months of age, puppies under four months old will not be admitted into the U.S. unless they are arriving from a rabies-free country.Each dog entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a valid certificate of rabies vaccination, signed by a licensed veterinarian and including the following information:

• Name and address of the dog’s owner
• Identifying information for the dog, including breed, sex, age, color and markings
• Date of vaccination and the name of the vaccine used
• Date when the vaccination expires. If no expiration date is stated, the vaccination must have been completed within 12 months before arrival in the U.S.

• In-cabin travel for pets is booked on a space-available basis.
• A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet cannot be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row.
• One pet per flight is allowed in United Global First^SM, United First®, United BusinessFirst® and United Business® (select aircraft only).
• Pets are not permitted in United Global First, United First, United BusinessFirst or United Business on Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 or 787 aircraft due to limited storage space under the seat.
  • A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat due to limited storage space under aisle and middle seats.
• Four pets per flight are allowed in United Economy® on all United flights.
• The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by United Express® partner airline. For additional information about the operating carrier’s in-cabin pet policy, contact the United Customer Contact Center.

Other restrictions

• Pets are not permitted on flights to, from or through Australia, Hawaii or Micronesia (including Guam).
• Pets are not permitted to travel with unaccompanied minors.
• Pets must remain in kennels with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft.
• The customer is responsible for complying with all applicable state and country entry requirements.
• Pets younger than eight weeks are not permitted.
• Pets must travel on the same flight(s) as the customers who are responsible for them.
• In the event of an emergency, oxygen service will not be available for pets.
• United’s in-cabin pet policy applies to flights operated by United and United Express only. For codeshare flights, please check the operating carrier’s in-cabin pet policy. If you are traveling on multiple airlines, please check with each carrier individually to ensure acceptance. United can only accept your pet for flights operated by United and United Express.

Pets are important members of the family. To ensure their safe and comfortable travel with United, we require pet owners to follow the guidelines below:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all dogs entering the United States to be immunized against rabies. Proof of vaccination is required before air travel begins.
• Live animals must arrive at the designated airport drop-off area at least two to three hours before the scheduled flight departure.
  • For flights within the continental U.S.: 2 hours
  • For flights to and from locations outside the continental U.S.
    • From airports where the animal is traveling on an international flight: 3 hours
    • From all other airports: 2 hours
• For PetSafe travel, United requires a minimum one-hour connection time when both flights are within the continental U.S., and a minimum two-hour connection time when either flight includes an origin or destination outside the continental U.S.
• You will need your pet’s health certificate issued by a veterinarian, dated within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return flights. If the return flight occurs more than 10 days after the date when your pet’s health certificate was issued, you will need to obtain a new health certificate for the return flight. Please note that if your pet’s travel on United precedes or follows international travel, the health certificate must be issued in English. For international trips, customers should contact the appropriate embassy or consulate at least one month before departure to ensure all country-specific entry procedures are followed.
• Track a pet’s itinerary online by entering the air waybill number you are given when you drop off your pet for travel.
• Kennels and crates must conform to IATA and USDA regulations.
• United supports the American Veterinarian Medical Association’s recommendation to not accept animals that have been sedated. United will not knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been sedated and accepts no liability for the death or sickness of an animal caused by any drug.
• United agents will use the Live Warm-Blooded Animal Acceptance Checklist (PDF: 92.2 KB) at the time when you transfer your pet to our care. Please use this checklist to prepare your pet for travel.
• If you are transporting small or toy dog breeds that are younger than 12 weeks old and less than three pounds (1.5 kg), it is recommended that you take the following precautionary steps:
  • Do not vaccinate or worm the puppy within three days of transport.
  • Ensure that no other medical procedures are performed on the puppy within three days of transport.
  • Use honey or light Karo syrup for “carbohydrate loading” for the 24-hour period prior to shipping to help maintain glucose levels in the puppy while in transit. Lowered glucose levels in puppies can result in hypoglycemic episodes, including seizures and a reduction of body temperature, severely compromising the puppy’s health.