Beginning August 1st all dogs entering the United States will need additional documents and entry requirements. All new regulations are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
For additional information please visit the CDC website. Link opens on a new window
Service animals
You can fly with up to two service dogs for free, as long as they meet some requirements.
Who can fly
The only service animals permitted on United and United Express flights are dogs over 4 months old who are trained to perform tasks for someone with a disability.
Types of animals
We only allow service dogs flying with their owners, or service dogs in training who are flying with their trainers, on our flights for free.
All other cats and dogs, including therapy and emotional support dogs and cats, fly as pets. Because they are considered pets, these cats and dogs must remain in a carrier in the airport and on the plane. Any other type of animal needs to stay at home.
Learn more about the differences between service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals:
Service animals
Dogs trained to help someone with a disability. These disabilities can be physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive or other disabilities that require assistance.
Therapy animals
Pets trained and registered with a therapy organization. They visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools. You can fly with a therapy dog or cat as a pet.
Emotional support animals
Pets that help ease their owners’ anxiety or depression through companionship. You can fly with an emotional support dog or cat as a pet.
What you need to fly
If you're traveling with a service animal, we require you to fill out a form. You can find the form under Trip Details after booking your trip. This form will ask for your service animal’s weight, breed, vaccination information and vet information.
If you have a MileagePlus® account, you can complete the form through your profile and save it there for future use. After booking, you can then add the saved form to your trip under Trip Details. You can also print the PDF and carry it with you on your trip if you prefer.
For international flights, as well as flights to Hawaii and Guam, you’ll need to contact our accessibility desk first before filling out the forms. The forms can't be completed electronically but must be printed and carried with you during your trip.
When you fill out these forms you guarantee that your dog will not relieve themselves at the gate or on the plane. You also promise they are well trained and in your control at all times. If your dog does need to relieve themselves while at the airport, use the United app to find a designated animal relief area.
How to fly
There are two parts to flying with a service animal: booking your trip and choosing the right seat on the plane.
Book your trip
The first thing you’ll need to do is let us know you’re bringing a service dog. How you do this depends on where you’re going.
For domestic flights
You have two steps:
- Select "I’m bringing a task-trained service dog on my trip."
- After booking, go to "Trip details" to complete the paperwork. If the form is already saved to your MileagePlus profile, simply click to add it to your trip.
For international flights
This includes flights to Hawaii and Guam.
Because there might be destination-specific rules for traveling with a service dog, you'll need to call our accessibility desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add one to your trip.
Choose your seat
Your dog should sit in the floor space in front of your seat. They can't be in the aisle or the floor space of the travelers next to you.
You can put your service dog in a pet-carrier if you choose, as long as it meets size requirements.
You can't sit in an exit row with a service animal.