Southwest Airlines is a low-cost carrier founded in 1967. Southwest Airlines Operates in the United States and is known for its fabulous approach, providing value-for-money flights to numerous destinations. Southwest Airlines offers excellent customer service and affordable fares. Southwest Airlines understands that pets are important members of many travellers' families. To accommodate their needs, Southwest Airlines has developed a pet policy that allows passengers to travel with their furry friends. This document will outline the key aspects of Southwest Airlines' pet policy to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience for both passengers and their pets. If you want to know about Southwest Airlines Pet Policy, call at 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792, and you will get connected with the Southwest Airlines customer service agent. Read below to learn more about Southwest Airlines Pet Policy.

Southwest Airlines Carry-on Pet Policy

Below are some of the Southwest Airlines Carry-on Pet Policy you can read.

1. Size and Weight Limitations:

The cabin allows only small pets, such as cats and dogs.
The pet, including the carrier, must fit comfortably under the passenger's seat.

2. Health and Age Restrictions:

A healthy eight-week-old pet is required.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel by a licensed veterinarian.

3. Carrier Guidelines:

Pet carriers are allowed on Southwest Airlines.
Well-ventilated and leak-proof carriers are essential.
Under-seat carriers with soft sides are recommended.
During the entire flight, pets must remain in their carriers at all times, and the carriers should be placed under the passenger's seat.

4. General Guidelines:

During the flight, passengers are responsible for the care and well-being of their pets.
Southwest Airlines reserves the right to refuse transport to animals that pose a threat or annoyance to other passengers.
The pet must also be in good health and not show any signs of illness before travelling.
It is recommended that passengers consult with their veterinarian before travelling with their pets.

Pet Carrier Requirements

Every Airline has its unique pet carrier requirements. Southwest Airlines pet carrier requirements are there to make their customer' trips easy and graceful. Read below to know the Southwest Airlines pet carrier requirements.

The pet carrier must be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
The material should be easy to clean and odour-resistant.
Pet carriers must have adequate ventilation to ensure adequate airflow.
To provide a cozy environment for the pet, the carrier must have a comfortable and padded interior.
The carrier should meet all Southwest airline, transportation authority, and pet travel agency requirements.
The pet must always be in its carrier during travel, from the gate area to boarding to the flight itself. A pet that violates this guideline may be refused boarding.
There is a limit of one pet carrier per paying passenger.
Regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must be followed when stowing.
Under the passenger's seat, the carrier must fit under the seat.
Carriers may be soft or hard, but they must be ventilated and leak-proof and not exceed 18.5" (L) x 13.5" (W) x 9.5" (H).
It must be comfortable for pets to stand, turn around, and lie down inside the carrier.
There is no way you can board the aircraft with a pet carrier, a regular carry-on bag, or a personal item.

How to Get a Refund on Your Southwest Pet Fare?

There are some limitations and methods to getting a refund from Southwest Airlines. Let's have a look. You can get a refund for your Southwest pet fare if:

Your pet does not travel because you cancelled your reservation
You do not want to rebook your flight because it has been cancelled

You can get a refund by:

Call Southwest at 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792.
By visiting your nearest International Airport Ticket Counter.
Email your query to SouthwestAirlines@iluv.southwest.com, and you will get a reply from one of the best customer service agents.
Or reach their official website and click on “Manage Bookings”. Enter all the required credentials. After you enter the information, select the flight for which you want to request a refund and click on 'Continue.' Cancel the flight/service, and you will then get an option for refunds. Follow the on-screen instructions to request a refund and wait for the approval.

The cost of pet travel per pet carrier is $95 per trip. Prices for Pet Fare may change at any time.

Southwest will refund your pet fare if your flight is cancelled for any reason, or you can transfer it to another flight you rebooked.

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Pet Policy

There is no live animal checked baggage service offered by Southwest at the moment. For more information related to Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Pet Policy, call 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792 to get connected with a Southwest Airlines Customer Service agent who will let you know all the information related to Southwest Airlines Pet Policy. If it gets open, you will get the information from our customer service agent.

Southwest Airlines ESA pet policy

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are no longer accepted by Southwest Airlines. From March 1, 2021, the Airline will only accept trained service dogs. Southwest Airlines treats ESAs as normal pets, which are subject to pet fees ($95 each way) and restrictions.

According to Southwest Airlines' pet policy, only companion animals such as dogs and cats are permitted on their flights. At the airport ticket counter, pets must be checked in.

According to Southwest Airlines pet policy:

Boarding may be denied to a pet that shows disruptive behaviour.
Disruptive behaviour includes scratching, excessive whining or barking, growling, biting, and lunging.
Animals that pose a direct threat to others' health or safety, disrupt cabin service, or engage in disruptive behaviour will not be permitted to board.

Southwest Airlines Pet Fee

Southwest Airlines charges a pet fare of $95 per carrier each way. Whether you decide to cancel your flight or do not travel, this fee is fully refundable.

Southwest Airlines pet policy includes:

You can make a reservation for your pet by calling 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792
There is a limit of six pets per flight
Pet reservations are first-come, first-served
Two dogs or two cats can be accommodated in each pet carrier
Pet fares are $125 each way for U.S. mainland flights
Pet fares are $35 each way for customers travelling between Hawaiian Islands

Pet Travel for Military Personnel—Pets as Checked Baggage

Southwest Airlines does not allow pets to be checked as baggage. Only dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin. Southwest Airlines international flights do not allow pets in the cabin, even if they are only part of your itinerary.

When accompanied by their handlers on official business, Southwest Airlines accepts fully trained law enforcement service dogs trained in explosives or drug detection (or other specific functions).

Pet fees range from $100 to $200 each way, depending on where you're travelling and the Airline.

How can I contact customer care at Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines always let their customer choose their way to talk with their customer service agent. If you don’t know How to contact Southwest Airlines Customer Care? Read Below to learn ways to reach them.

Connect By Phone: In today's digital age, Airlines are constantly seeking ways to enhance customer support and engagement. While various communication channels are available, the phone remains an essential tool for customer service. Read the steps below to call Southwest Airlines Airline Customer Service:

Dial 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792, and you will get connected with a representative.
Select the language according to your preference.
Then, choose a button according to your preference after listening to the IVR options below.
Press 1 to make a booking with Southwest Airlines.
Press 3 to cancel your booked flight.
Press 5 to get the status of your service ticket.
Press 7 to inquire about your lost luggage.
Press 9 to get a person on the line.
Press * to go back to the main menu.

Connect By Live Chat: Live chat has become an essential tool for Southwest Airlines to provide effective customer service. Read below the steps and procedure to get connected with their customer service agent through live chat:

Go to the help and contacts section on the official Southwest Airlines website.
In the bottom right corner, click on the live chat option under the 'help and contact' tab.
Southwest Airlines' live chat assistant can now answer your questions.
For traveller assistance, it is better to contact Southwest Airlines' calling agents if the live chat method takes too long to load.
To begin, enter your email address and first and last names.
If you have any questions about booking, cancellation, refunds, or any other flight-related issue, you'll receive a quick response.

Connect By Social Media: Customer service on Southwest Airlines' social media accounts is known for its promptness. Unlike traditional customer service channels, such as phone calls or emails, social media platforms provide a real-time communication channel. Follow the links below to reach Southwest Airlines Social Media accounts.

Southwest Airlines Instagram:instagram.com/southwestair/
Southwest Airlines Facebook: facebook.com/SouthwestAir/
Southwest Airlines Twitter: twitter.com/SouthwestAir/

Connect By Email Support: By Emailing Southwest Airlines customer service, you can share query-related documents, such as flight tickets, medical records, and vouchers. Please fill out the travel details in your email by tapping SouthwestAirlines@iluv.southwest.com. Send that email, and customer service will contact you within 24 hours.

Connect By Airport: In case you are unable to reach through these methods, you can choose to travel to your closest airport. Face-to-face conversations are possible here so that you can ask questions directly. You can reach them at your nearest airport by following the steps below.

Visit the Southwest Airlines check-in counters and customer service desks at your nearest airport to check in.
If you have any questions, they will be happy to assist you.
Your problems will be solved instantly by the Southwest Airlines customer service agent.

How can I cancel a ticket on Southwest Airlines?

It is common for passengers to want to cancel their flights in a variety of situations. If you want to know about the ways and methods to cancel your Southwest Airlines Flight Ticket, Read below.

Contact the customer service department.

Do you want to cancel your flight ticket by calling the Southwest Airlines customer service agent? In such a situation, you can speak with customer support and get the details quickly. Passengers can follow the information provided carefully if they need the Airline's contact number -

Get this phone number 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792.
Press the command according to the voice prompts.
Don’t miss any IVR steps.
To cancel the flight, speak with the airline representative.
Your flight will be cancelled and confirmed via email to your registered email address, and the contact number will be texted as soon as possible to the airline representative.

Use the Online Method

Do you want to cancel a flight ticket online? For cancelling a flight ticket online, you can follow the given instructions easily.

Visit Southwest Airlines' official website.
Tap on My Trip with your mouse.
Please enter your reservation details and the other required information.
Select the booking you wish to cancel.
Provide a valid reason for cancellation.
Once you click on the cancel option, get confirmation from the airline representative with your registered credentials as soon as possible.

Visit the airport

You can postpone your flight to the airport if you wish. You can cancel your flight at the airport if you live near the airport. Your flight will be cancelled, and you will receive the confirmation at your registered address.

How can I communicate with someone at Southwest Airlines?

You can speak directly with a Southwest Airlines representative before or after the trip using the Southwest Airlines customer service number, live ChatChat, or any other medium. Let’s see how to talk to someone on Southwest Airlines.

Way 1: Call a real person:

Open the Southwest Airlines official website.
Click on the Contact Us link in the website footer.
Dial 1-888-341-5975 or 1-800-435-9792 at the mentioned helpline number and talk to a real person at Southwest Airlines.
Your concern or issue related to Southwest Airlines must be shared over the phone.

Way 2: Talk to A Real Person via Live Chat:

Southwest Airlines' live chat facility will allow you to speak with a real person. Follow the below instructions.

Use any search engine to find "Southwest.com" to get an instant live chat facility.
Log in to your Southwest Airlines account using your credentials.
After that, select the Contact Us option & ChatChat Now option.
Write your problem or difficulty in the chat box.
The live chat person will appear under the display chat box, and you will get the best assistance.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines understands pets are part of the family, and they strive to provide pet-friendly travel services. Passengers and their pets can both enjoy a safe and comfortable journey if they follow the Airline's pet policy. I hope you got more detailed information about Southwest Airlines' pet policy in this article.

Also Read:- Hawaiian Airlines Change Flight Policy

Stay Safe!

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy