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Southwest Airlines Now Boarding Pets!

cday
Frequent Flyer C
 
42 Comments
micheleN
Explorer C
Why can't people be nice instead of all the sniping? NancyC
Anonymous3237
Explorer A
I liked it better when Southwest had a no pet policy. I have been on other airlines that have some dog barking through half the flight and it really sucks! There is nothing anyone can do about a barking dog except hope the plane lands soon. I think this is about generating renue for the airline and not about the customers.
V_G_
Explorer C
This is a great thing. Thank you Southwest for allowing us to travel with our dog . 🙂
bk11
Explorer C
My wife and I have already booked six trips this summer on Southwest; hopefully she won't hear about this.
kfrancis1
Adventurer C
I love the video Christi, however, I am disappointed you didn't use Jack Bauer. : )
Suzanne2
Explorer C
I was extremely disappointed to read about the new pet policy because I am highly allergic to animals and I fly SWA every time I travel. Hopefully, it will not apply to all flights to all destinations. To be considerate to all passengers, I don't think every flight should allow pets. And as mentioned in an earlier comment, if a dog barks on a flight; it will definitely be time to find another airline, much to my dismay. Charge for bags and leave the pets at home if it's about generating revenue.
Anonymous2957
Explorer C
We have not flown Southwest in the past but will now consider it in light of the new pet policy. Awesome change - we are very happy!
Anonymous2636
Explorer C
EXCELLENT NEWS - will now consider Southwest when making travel plans! About time and "good on ya" SWA!!!!!
Anonymous1105
Explorer C
Praise God, now if the hotels will do the same. Its always a challenge trying to figure out where to send Jazzy when its time to take a trip. You have to pay for a kennel to keep them anyway, why not pay the airlines and take your precious baby with you? I'm so happy. I love you Southwest. You're the only airlines I will fly with, and I've been praying for this day for a long time. Woohoo. Wait til I tell Jazzy. 🙂
Anonymous4336
Explorer A
Did you get it, folks? DON'T TAKE THE PET OUT OF THE CARRIER.
Anonymous1822
Explorer C
This is a horrible idea. Now we'll have to put up not only with screaming little bastards but also yapping little rat dogs and the stench of cats crapping under the seat. Will there be a "No Pets" zone for people who are allergic to animal dander? Piss off LUV.
Anonymous1396
Explorer C
This is fantastic! SWA is my favorite airline and this was the only drawback. How horrible to leave your pet in a kennel and know how much you miss them when going on vacation. Thank you Southwest!!!! I just wish they could have their own seat!
Anonymous3471
Explorer C
And what about people like me that are extremely allergic to cats? As in I can't breathe? Who gets dumped off of the flight? I paid more for my ticket than the damn cat did!
sharon
Explorer C
I am so happy to hear of your change in the pet policy. we were avid southwest passengers, as we travel at least twice a year, and had to travel on another airlines when we bought our small dog. Now we are able to begin traveling again with southwest and are looking forward to it. Thank you for your update on this new policy.
carroll3
Adventurer C
At 75.00 a pop/pup I doubt 100;s of pets will fly each day, we will not become Noahs Arc. Let's everybody calm down and see how it goes, if it is not good for business then I am sure they will take another look at the change. We know we cannot please everybody but we want to please the majority. My parents will not take their dog, SKIPPER the Jack Russell Terrorist, he is not welcome anywhere. I think he is even on the NO FLY LIST.
K_Dolan
Explorer C
I am so pleased that SWA now allows pets in the cabin. I am very active in the Cat Fancy, driving to cat shows all around Texas and Oklahoma. Now I have an option in travel, and I am happy. I fly SWA on business at least 3 times a month, and avoid all other airlines whenever possible. Now I will not even have to consider flying my cat on another carrier! Yea, SWA!!!!!
Anonymous1822
Explorer C
This is a horrible idea. Now we'll have to put with not only screaming little brats, but also yapping little rat dogs and the stench of cats crapping under the seat. Will there be a "No Pets" zone for people who are allergic to animal dander?
southwestair556
Explorer C
I think it is great that Southwest Airlines is now allowing pets onboard.
Carole4
Explorer C
Thank you SO MUCH Southwest Airlines!!!! In the past I was required to DRIVE the eight plus hours from Sacramento to San Diego when there were family emergencies....as I needed to bring my little 7 lb Maltese with me. If I flew the other carriers that would allow me to take my fur-kid on the plane...I would have to fly to another STATE from Sacramento, CA (and then often change planes) and then fly into San Diego, CA. Very inconvenient for both me and my pet!!!! So we were stuck doing the long drives for family illnesses and deaths. Thank you Southwest for you policy change. This is a blessing for my family!!!!
Michael4
Explorer C
I fly around 160 segments a year between various airlines, much of which is on my favored WN out of ABQ. I must say though that this is most disappointing. The passengers that need to bring a small animal on vacation are the same that take them out of the carrier, cause delays at security, and impose undue distress to my allergies. Must I register ahead of a flight as alergic to animals to avoid such conflicts? Perhaps I can offer to help folks check animals instead of burden me with their attachment to an animal, or bizarre need to have them along to Disney or Aunt Edna's. That being said - I have enjoyed seeing well behaved service animals on a plane, but absent the medical requirement, leave the cat/dog/llama at home. If you need a pet to fly, try a bird.
Vicky1
Explorer C
I have flown on other airlines with my showcats and am thrilled to hear that now SWA is an option for me. I can assure other passengers that unless you see the carrier, you won't know the kitty is there. He just sleeps, resting up for his big weekend. Cats are freshly bathed, well behaved, and make excellent traveling companions. Thank you SWA.
Anonymous2875
Explorer C
As a RR member, I believe I will have to find alternate transportation. You could have just started charging for checked bags if you needed revenue. I hope your people at the airport are prepared for the mess you created. The general public hears what they want to hear. You will have people showing up with other types of animals in too large of containers that won't fit under the seat. I give it six months max. You should have polled your "valued" RR members for feedback the same way you did when you were considering seat assignments.
Anonymous3600
Explorer C
Great job SWA! As long as your rules are obeyed, I don't see any issue with allowing pets on board. Kudos! (And please, don't start charging for checked bags!)
Glenn5
Explorer C
Since many SWA fares are less than $75, will it be the case that the pet will cost $75 to ride under a seat, but the humans will ride IN the seats for just $49? Just wondering! If that were the case, someone could buy an extra ticket for a seat for the pet to ride UNDER? For all of you grumping about pets riding (and children too) and the possibility of trouble - animals have been riding on SWA jets as service animals and as "comfort animals" for a long time with no significant problem. You have probably ridden on a plane with an animal and not realized it. Most of the problems come from grumpy passengers - typically the kind that don't have pets!
Anonymous475
Explorer C
This is great for cat and dog owners! Do you think they will ever allow birds to fly? I have two small parrots. I guess my only low fare is still Air Tran!
Sara8
Explorer C
Southwest is the best. I have been flying southwest for years and love the convenience, however I would choose a diff airline when I wanted to take my Dachshund with me. Now I can fly SW all the time. Who cares if its just to create revenue, Although I doubt it is all about the money. They are putting in an area for our pets to relieve themselves in the terminal. Not all the airlines have that. South west has my bushiness. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
HippieChick
Explorer C
They should charge for children of all ages and let small animals fly for free. The animals are usually quieter, cleaner and polite.
Anonymous4577
Explorer C
I can not believe that they are charging that much for a carry on pet. How about carry on KIDS ? Why don't they charge them that much.!!! They way more, use more fuel, make more noise, and kick the back of your seats while crying in your ears. How rude. The airlines needs to get a balance going. Charge full price for all kids, including babies. So that they can have their own seat and be straped in. Then put them in the back of the plane, so that only they can all hear themselves. Last time I was on Southwest Airlines was over 5 years ago, and hope to never take them again. I was flying back from Ohio and really tied. But to my surprise, I had 2 children behind us. A 1 1/2 year old and a ? 6 month old. Both screaming, squirming, and the parents did nothing (except give their 1 1/2 their keys to play with). While tattling the keys, the kid was having fun kicking and hitting the keys against the back of my chair. Talk about RUDE, and Annoying. Did I get any sleep? No. Was I able to be comfortable and enjoy my ride, NO. When I asked the stewardess if I could move, there were no places open. When I asked if she could talk with them, she looked at me rudely and said that they were only kids. In reality - after that. The airline should have reimbursed me and charged them for having the kids on board. CHARGE FOR CHILDREN ---- The same price as adults. Maybe that will get parents to think about their kids and the people surrounding them, and drive. Southwest - become more fair and professional, and think about all of your passangers...
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Explorer C
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Explorer C
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Marina
Explorer C
IM ALLERGIC TO CHILDREN THAT CRY AND KICK THE BACK OF MY SEAT!! I WISH SWA WOULDN'T ALLOW CHILDREN IN THE CABIN!! I AM SO GRATEFUL THEY ALLOW PETS I HOPE MY DOG CRIES AND BARKS ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION.. AND IF YOUR ALLERGIC I HOPE YOU SIT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND MY DOG! -
Anonymous1264
Explorer C
I was just on a flight that had a cat on it,I'm very allergic to them. They asked me to get off and not the cat. I paid more for that ticket. I had to wait for the next flight bc of a fur ball.. bull shit.and whose to say the next flight doesn't have a cat on it.
Anonymous2291
Explorer C
Why not try something like "buy the row and roam with rover" for larger dogs? If it's just you and rover, you buy 3 tickets, one for you, one for your pooch, and one as a buffer, to avoid annoying other passengers. . If you have a human companion, you buy one ticket for you, one for your human companion and one for your pooch. It might be a money maker. Lots of folks drive rather than put rover in cargo.
Anonymous289
Explorer C
Look all of you people with pet allergies, SWA is trying very hard to accommodate families who want to or need to travel with their pet, and for all of you people who are too selfish to understand the world doesn't just revolve around you, and that SWA will understand that you don't want to be seated near a dog or cat if you just tell them, eat a steak and MAN UP!
Anonymous2129
Explorer C
Keep the pets. Charge extra for fat people. My dog is clean, quiet and doesn't spill over into my seat or your seat. And if you are that allergic to dog fur you will probably break out just being around dog owners, so stay home. Good on ya SWA!
SWA_Lover
Explorer C
I have been flying fairly frequently for 15 years and have be a faithful fan of Southwest for many of those years. I friended SWA on Facebook and I recommend them to everyone I am in conversation with about airlines. Now that I am able to take my 4 lb Yorkie with me just proves how much they consider the customer and customer needs. Thank you SWA!! The folks that complain have never given their heart to an animal and can you really trust anyone that cold hearted? They most likely hate kids too (even their own).
Anonymous3773
Explorer C
Hey - all you people complaining about pets barking and Southwests inconsideration for OTHER passengers. Well, I probably have been on a flight with your whining screaming kid, or standing behind you at security while you deal with your 15 bags, strollers, and expectation of special treatment. I've lost a seat to you and your "family - pre-boarding" only to sit in front of your child that kicks my seat the whole way. The best part, that you think we should all tolerate it cause it's a "kid" what can be done? I have tolerated it because I'm not a jerk like you, but believe, I don't like your kid running around screaming in the airport, on the plane, or their dirty germy little grubby hands all over everything. So shut up-go get on another flight. At least YOU have an option to do so, last I checked I can't get away from your ill-behaved, poorly parented child. Be tolerant - cause what you put out there, comes back. The world does not revolve around you. As for allergies, I call BS. You're not touching the dog, playing with it. If you're THAT sensitive, take an allergy pill, I'd imagine you'd HAVE to be on them all the time if you're THAT allergic - they could walk by on the street, you know? In DOG we trust!
Anonymous2212
Explorer C
You ask us to use headsets while listening to music and then sell tickets to non-stop barking dogs???
C_G_
Explorer C
I am very pleased that Southwest is now allowing pets to travel in the cabin. I'm sorry for those of you that are unhappy, but not all pet owners are as irresponsible as you suggest. I expect no security delays or other interruptions when I travel with my cat this holiday season. I would not be traveling with him if I didn't think he would travel well. And let's face it: airplanes are group affairs and chances are good that you'll be in close quarters with someone you'd rather not be. Deal with it and move on with your life. Also, for those who suffer from pet allergies, it is very unlikely that an animal in the cabin would trigger a reaction if it is properly kept in its carrier beneath the seat.
Jennifer_Brown
Explorer C
What you need to consider is People are allergic to pets of all kinds - Me and my cousin went to Vegas she was in hives and miserable for two days of our trip . Who has the right when a passenger is unaware of a pet on board -and cant do anything about it ? The Human or the Pet ????????? We know now the Hard way .Consider that . Than you FYI
Edie
Explorer C
I love this. We love to travel with our pet - she is often better behaved than some children. Thanks SWA!!!
Cecy
Explorer C
I am happy to hear that aloud pet on broad. I travel once a year for a month see my family and have to leave my Chewy behide. Trying to fine someone take care of him it's really hard he won't just go with anyone. I love flying with southwest .... Thank you for letting dog's on broad now 🙂