How does United Airlines handle pets?

United Airlines Pet Policy Care

United Airlines is one of the leading US-based airlines that provides traveling services for people with their pets. United Airlines has defined a clear United Airlines Pet Policy to ensure the safety and comfort of animals while in travel. 

Whether you travel with a small pet in the cabin, or traveling with your pet as checked baggage, or even as cargo, United Airlines is designed to ensure that the travel experience goes without a hitch or inconvenience, taking all pains to offer clear guidelines.

How do United Airlines handle their pets?

Let’s discover and learn some of the most vital policies when in-transit with your pets in-cabin, as checked bags, or even as cargo.

Pet travel in Cabin

United Airlines allows cats, dogs, rabbits, and house birds traveling with customers carrying small pets in the cabin. However, there are a couple of very critical conditions in terms of in-cabin travel of pets under United Airlines Pet Policy:

• Pet Carrier Requirements: The pet travels in an approved pet carrier that fits under a seat in front of a passenger. Soft-sided carrier and size requirements .
• Fee: United Airlines Pet Policy fee for in-cabin pet travel, typically around $125 each way, depending on the route.
• Health and Safety: Animals traveling should be at least eight weeks old. Besides, they must be healthy during the flight itself. Instruct your pet to get accustomed to the carrier before bringing it along.
• Pet travel Booking: Book your pet’s travel reservation with you when you make your flight booking. Only a limited number of pets can be brought along per flight.

United Airlines Pet Policy welcomes pets in the cabin on most route flights, except there are some exceptions. Pets cannot go inside the cabin with an international itinerary or to pet import restricted countries.

Pet Travel as Checked Baggage

If your pet cannot go into the cabin, then you can check the baggage. United Airlines Pet Policy accepts the checked baggage for dogs, cats, and other qualified animals. The major things for checked baggage are:

• Pet Carrier : The pet must be carried in a USDA-approved, hard-sided carrier designed for safe transport as checked baggage. In the carrier, the pet should have room enough to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
• Check-In Process: If your pet travels as checked baggage, the check-in process is completed at the airport, and they then travel in an air-conditioned section of the airplane.
• Pet Cargo Fees and Restrictions: The fee for traveling pets is checked baggage, and the prices are according to the weight and size of the pet and carrier.
• Pet Age and Health Requirements: Pets should be healthy and eight weeks old before traveling in cargo hold as it is like checking pets. Animals with respiratory problems and other health conditions will not be allowed to fly in cargo.

United Airlines has a specific cargo service for pets, specifically larger pets, that travel as cargo. It is relatively safer than traveling in the cabin and in baggage as animals.

United Airlines Pet Policy in cargo traveling includes the following:

• Booking Process: To start with, United’s PetSafe program must be utilized for booking. This is a transportation system meant for animals requiring special care or are too large to travel in cabin.
• Safety Standards: Pets receive transport in well-ventilated and temperature-controlled conditions. United Airlines takes into account personalized care for pets traveling in cargo, making it a safe option for travel to distant places.
• Charges and Surcharge: Cargo pet travel charges will depend upon the weight, size of the pet, and also on the route. Pets must have reached certain medical and size requirements.
• Health and Documents: The animal should have a valid health certificate and any other document it may be required by a certain destination. United, however, advises that pets should be checked by a veterinarian prior to traveling.

More Tips on Pet Travel

• Pre-Travel Preparations: One week or two before traveling, expose your pet to the carrier. You can start by taking your pet in the carrier on short trips such that it becomes familiar with all the experiences during traveling.
• Health Problems: Also, make sure your pet is fit enough to travel and inform the vet about all your pets health issues prior to flying.
• Hydration and Comfort Water and comfort items are essentials that must always be included in the packing for a long flight.

To make an inquiry about United Airlines Pet Policy, you may reach Fly Travel Board at +1 (844) 539-5787. The people there would be more than happy to be of service to you with information and assistance to make bookings for pet travel.