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After flying with my rescue pug Puglo to 19 countries, I’ve learned that every airline has its own quirks, and United is one of the airlines I get asked about most. The good news: United’s pet policy is one of the more straightforward ones out there. The catch: your dog has to fit under the seat, because United no longer flies pets in cargo for regular travelers.
Flying a different carrier? Compare it with the American Airlines pet policy.
United flies into Paris, and once you arrive there is more to know, which I cover in my guide to taking a dog to Paris.
Here’s everything you need to know about flying United with your dog in 2026, based on United’s current published policy and my own experience navigating pet travel as a full-time dog mom.
United Airlines Pet Policy: Quick Facts
- Pet fee: $150 each way per pet
- Where pets fly: In-cabin only, in a carrier under the seat in front of you
- Cargo option: No. United ended its PetSafe cargo program for the general public (only certain active-duty military and State Department employees can fly pets in cargo)
- Weight or breed limits: None, but your dog must fit comfortably in an approved carrier
- Booking: Add a pet on united.com when booking or via My Trips for domestic, call to add for international
How Much Does United Charge The $150 Pet Fee (Each Way)
United charges $150 each way for a pet in the cabin. That fee is per pet, per direction, so a round trip with one dog costs $300 in pet fees on top of your own ticket. It’s not cheap, but it’s in line with most major US carriers. If you’re comparing options, I break down every carrier’s fees in my guide to airlines that allow dogs in cabin.
Carrier Requirements: Will Your Dog Fit?
This is the make-or-break question, because United has no weight or breed restrictions, the only rule is that your dog fits in an approved carrier that slides under the seat in front of you.
- Soft-sided carrier (recommended): maximum 18″ x 11″ x 11″ (45 x 27 x 27 cm)
- Hard-sided carrier: maximum 17.5″ x 12″ x 9″ (44 x 30 x 22 cm)
Always soft-sided. The flexible sides give your dog more wiggle room and squish down to fit under-seat spaces that vary by aircraft. Puglo flies in a soft-sided carrier and it has made all the difference on tighter planes. (I share my exact carrier setup and everything else I pack in my dog travel packing list.)
We use the Sherpa carrier and have never been denied – get it here
One important note: your carrier must be ventilated and your dog must be able to stand up and turn around inside it. Unfortunately this is up to the discretion of the gate agent to decide if your dog is too big for the carrier.
How to Book a Pet Ticket on United
- On united.com, select “Travel with a pet” as a traveler when booking your flight.
- Already booked? Go to My Trips on the website and add a pet to your existing reservation.
- Pay the $150 fee, pet space is limited per flight and first come, first served, so add your pet as early as possible.
Heads up: you cannot add a pet through the United mobile app. Website only.
Flying United With a Pug or Other Snub-Nosed Dog
This is where United shines for dog parents like me. Because United only flies pets in-cabin (never in cargo), there are no breed restrictions, snub-nosed breeds like pugs, French bulldogs, and Boston terriers are welcome as long as they fit in the carrier.
Cargo travel is risky for flat-faced breeds, which is why I would never put Puglo in the hold. In-cabin-only policies like United’s are exactly what I look for. If you have a flat-faced dog, my guides on airlines that allow snub-nosed dogs and flying with a pug go deeper on this.
The flip side: if your dog is too big for an under-seat carrier, United isn’t an option. Check my guide to airlines that allow large dogs in cabin for alternatives.
Flying United Internationally With Your Dog
The $150 fee applies to international routes too, but the paperwork is a bigger deal than the airline policy:
- Flying INTO the US: the CDC now requires a CDC Dog Import Form for all dogs entering the US, and dogs must be at least 6 months old. If your dog is coming from a country the USDA considers affected by screwworm (much of Africa, Asia, and Latin America), you’ll also need a health certificate addressing screwworm.
- Flying OUT of the US: every destination country has its own entry rules, rabies vaccination timing, microchip, health certificates, and sometimes a rabies titer test.
- Some destinations don’t accept in-cabin pets at all, so confirm both the country rules and the route before booking.
I walk through the whole process step by step in my guide to traveling with a dog internationally, and if you’re headed to Mexico like us, here’s exactly what you need to bring a dog to Mexico.
Airport-Day Tips for Flying United With a Dog
- Check in at the gate, you won’t be able to check in online. Leave yourself lots of time!
- Find the pet relief areas before security. Most big airports have them, and the United app’s airport maps show locations.
- Exercise your dog hard that morning. A tired dog is a calm dog. Puglo gets a long walk before every flight.
- Pack a pet kit: collapsible water bowl, leash, treats, poop bags, and a blanket that smells like home.
- Know the one in-flight rule: your dog stays in the carrier, door closed, under the seat, for the entire flight. No exceptions, no laps.
Flying With an Emotional Support Animal/Service Animal on United
Emotional support animals fly as regular pets on United. They pay the $150 fee and must follow carrier rules. See my guide on airlines that still allow emotional support animals.
Trained service dogs are exempt from the pet fee and carrier rules. For flights to/from the U.S., you must submit add your dog to the flight in advance and submit the DOT forms to United. You can fly with up to two service dogs for free, as long as they meet some requirements.
FAQ: United Airlines Pet Policy
How much does it cost to fly a dog on United?
$150 each way per pet, in-cabin. There is no cargo option for regular travelers.
Does United have weight or breed restrictions for in-cabin pets?
No. Any breed can fly, including snub-nosed dogs, as long as your dog fits in a carrier that goes under the seat (soft-sided max 18″ x 11″ x 11″).
Can my dog sit on my lap during the flight?
No. Pets must stay inside their closed carrier under the seat in front of you at all times, although some agents are lenient about this and may let you open the top of the carrier.
Can I fly a large dog on United?
Only if it fits in an under-seat carrier. United no longer offers cargo pet travel to the public, so large dogs generally can’t fly United unless they’re trained service animals.
Can I add my pet in the United app?
No, pets can only be added on united.com during booking or through My Trips on the website.
Do emotional support animals fly free on United?
No. ESAs are treated as pets: they pay the $150 fee and must follow carrier rules. See my guide on airlines and emotional support animals.
Ready for Your Dog’s First Flight?
Flying with your dog gets so much easier once you’ve done it a few times, but that first flight can feel overwhelming. I put everything I’ve learned from years of flying with Puglo into my Flying With Your Dog guide, and if you want the full roadmap to traveling the world with your pup, check out the Dog Travel Academy.
👉 Grab the guide and more at my Stan Store
