United Airlines in-cabin pet policy — and the carriers that fit
United Airlines allows small pets in the cabin in a carrier up to 18 × 11 × 11 in, stowed under the seat in front of you. Already own a carrier? Enter its measurements below to check it against this limit. The in-cabin fee is $150 each way. 9 of the 15 carriers we track clear that published limit.
The Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) leaves the most room — 1" on its tightest dimension, while the Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) only just squeaks in with nothing to spare. United's 11" height ceiling sits mid-pack among the 77 airlines we track (shared with Allegiant, American, American Eagle (regional, incl. Republic Airways), Copa, Delta, Frontier, JSX): Air Europa, Avelo, Breeze and Pegasus allow more, while EL AL Israel allows only 7".
Will your carrier fit United Airlines?
Measure the outside of your carrier (bulges included) and enter it below. The check uses United Airlines’s published 18 × 11 × 11 in limit — height is checked strictly, the footprint may rotate.
Carriers that clear United Airlines (18 × 11 × 11 in)
Roomiest margin first. Sized to the airline’s limit, not to your pet — measure your pet first →
| Carrier | Size | Fit | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) up to ~8 lb · max pet 13″ long × 7.5″ tall | 15 × 10 × 8.5 in | Fits 1" spare | See on Amazon → |
 Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) up to ~10 lb | 17 × 10 × 10 in | Fits 1" spare | See on Amazon → |
Sleepypod Atom up to ~12 lb | 17 × 8.5 × 10.5 in | Fits 0.5" spare | See on Amazon → |
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our specs or which carriers we list.
United Airlines pet rules
| Max soft-sided carrier | 18 × 11 × 11 in |
| Max hard-sided kennel | 17.5 × 12 × 9 in |
| Carrier size caveat | On a Boeing 737 MAX the carrier can be no more than 10 inches tall (United's own footnote), so an 11"-tall carrier that fits most United aircraft will not fit there. |
| Soft-sided required? | Soft recommended; hard allowed within its limit |
| In-cabin fee | $150 each way · compare all airlines → |
| Species allowed | dogs, cats |
| Weight | None — no weight or breed limits |
| Minimum age | Puppies and kittens at least 2 months (domestic); internationally, dogs 6 months (CDC) and kittens 4 months |
| Pets | Up to 2 pets per person (2nd pet needs its own seat next to yours) — but only 1 pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800/MAX 8 and 737-900/MAX 9, which have less space under the middle seat |
| Booking | Choose “Travel with a pet” for the traveler on united.com or in My Trips — not available in the United app. A kiosk prints the pet tag at check-in. · what to book, buy and pack → |
| Seating restrictions | Not in an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or the front row of any cabin. These rules cover United-operated flights — ask United about United Express flights. |
| Routes & cargo | No pets in cargo: United ended PetSafe, and pets fly in the hold only with certain active-duty military or State Department staff. United does not let pets fly to, from or through Hawaii, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Hong Kong, South Africa, the UAE (Dubai) and more than 20 other places — check United's list before you book. |
Source: official United Airlines pet policy · verified 2026-09-23 · how United Airlines ranks on fee and space →
Carriers that fit United Airlines
Matched to United Airlines's published 18 × 11 × 11 in limit (height checked strictly; footprint may rotate). See the full United Airlines carrier shortlist →
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our specs or which carriers we list.
This table ranks by United Airlines’s size limit — not by your pet. The weight under each carrier is what that size is rated to hold. A bag can clear the airline and still be the wrong size for the animal, which is the most common reason one goes back — measure your pet first →
| Carrier | Size | Fit | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) up to ~8 lb · max pet 13″ long × 7.5″ tall | 15 × 10 × 8.5 in | Fits 1" spare | See on Amazon → |
Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) up to ~10 lb | 17 × 10 × 10 in | Fits 1" spare | See on Amazon → |
Sleepypod Atom up to ~12 lb | 17 × 8.5 × 10.5 in | Fits 0.5" spare | See on Amazon → |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) up to ~15 lb | 17 × 11 × 9 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Standard (Expandable) up to ~20 lb | 18 × 11 × 10 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Medium) up to ~16 lb · max pet 16″ long × 9.5″ tall | 17 × 11 × 10.5 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Petsfit (Medium) Expandable Soft-Sided up to ~13 lb | 17 × 11 × 11 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Bergan Comfort Carrier (Small) pet size not published | 16 × 8 × 11 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Frisco Premium Airline-Compliant Carrier up to ~22 lb | 18 × 11 × 11 in | Exact fit 0" spare | Search Amazon → |
Sleepypod Air up to ~18 lb | 22 × 10.5 × 10.5 in | Fits collapsed | See on Amazon → |
5 carriers too big for United Airlines
Diggs Passenger pet size not published · Diggs discontinued this carrier — link goes to similar carriers | 17 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too big | Compare similar on Amazon → |
ibiyaya JetPaw Expandable Backpack up to ~17 lb | 18 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
Away The Pet Carrier pets up to ~18 lb | 18.7 × 10.8 × 10.75 in | Too big | Compare similar on Amazon → |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Large) up to ~22 lb · max pet 18″ long × 10.5″ tall | 19 × 11.75 × 11.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
SturdiBag Pro (Large, Flexible Height) pet size not published | 18 × 11.5 × 11.5 in | Too big | View on Amazon |
How to confirm your actual under-seat space
United Airlines's number is its published maximum, not a guarantee for your exact seat. Before you buy or fly:
- Check which aircraft operates your flight (in your booking or on a seat-map site).
- Avoid bulkhead and exit rows — bulkheads have no under-seat storage and most airlines ban pets there — and check this airline's seat rules above.
- Call United Airlines to confirm under-seat dimensions for that aircraft, or
- Choose a collapsible / flexible-height carrier that adapts to a tighter space.
More airlines: Air Canada · Alaska Airlines · Allegiant Air · American Airlines · Breeze Airways · Delta Air Lines · Frontier Airlines · Southwest Airlines · Air Europa · all →
Common questions
What size pet carrier does United Airlines allow in the cabin?
United Airlines's recommended maximum in-cabin carrier is 18 × 11 × 11 in (soft) or 17.5 × 12 × 9 in for a hard-sided kennel. It must fit fully under the seat in front of you. Source: the United Airlines pet policy.
How much does United Airlines charge for an in-cabin pet?
$150 each way. Always confirm the current fee on the official United Airlines pet page before you fly.
Which pet carriers fit United Airlines?
9 of the 15 carriers we track clear United Airlines's published 18 × 11 × 11 in. The roomiest is the Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small), with 1" to spare on its tightest dimension. The heaviest pet any carrier that clears United Airlines is rated for is 22 lb (some fitting carriers publish no pet rating). Full shortlist: /fits/united/.
Does United Airlines require a soft-sided pet carrier?
United Airlines recommends soft-sided but allows a hard-sided kennel within its published limit. Height is what rules carriers out: United Airlines publishes 11", against 13" at the most generous airline we track.
How many pets can I bring in the cabin on United Airlines?
Up to 2 pets per person (2nd pet needs its own seat next to yours) — but only 1 pet per person on the A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800/MAX 8 and 737-900/MAX 9, which have less space under the middle seat. Species accepted: dogs, cats. Weight limit: None — no weight or breed limits. Choose “Travel with a pet” for the traveler on united.com or in My Trips — not available in the United app. A kiosk prints the pet tag at check-in.
What paperwork do I need to fly internationally with a pet on United Airlines?
A health and vaccination certificate is required on every international United flight, including Canada and Mexico. From 3 Aug 2026, pets entering Mexico also need a USDA-accredited vet's New World Screwworm inspection certificate dated within 5 days of travel. Dogs entering the US need the CDC's dog import form. Confirm current requirements with the USDA APHIS pet travel site and the CDC dog import rules before you fly — they change without notice and United Airlines does not administer them.