Here’s a quick summary of what to know if you’re flying with your service dog on United Airlines:

  • Only trained service dogs are allowed (no emotional support animals)
  • Limit of two service dogs per passenger
  • You’ll need to submit a DOT Service Animal Form 48 hours before flying
  • Your service dog must be at least 4 months old

United Airlines welcomes trained service dogs in the cabin for free, including psychiatric service dogs. This guide walks you through United’s service dog policy in plain English, from the booking process to what happens once you’re on board. 

What Makes a Dog a “Service Dog” in United Airlines’ Eyes

Not every helpful pup qualifies as a service dog for air travel. United follows DOT and Air Carrier Access Act rules, so here’s what they’re looking for:

  • Must be a dog — sorry, no service cats, birds, or mini horses
  • Must be trained to perform a service dog task for your disability
  • Must know how to behave in public — no barking, jumping, or other disruptions
  • Must be at least 4 months old (puppies need not apply)
  • Must stay on a leash, harness, or tether the whole time

If your dog helps with a mental health disability by performing specific tasks (like a psychiatric service dog), they qualify just like any other service dog. But if your animal simply provides comfort by being there (i.e., an emotional support animal), United treats them as a regular pet, meaning fees and size restrictions apply.

Paperwork You Will Need

The golden ticket for flying with your service dog is the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form. It’s a form where you confirm:

  • Your contact info and your dog’s details
  • That your dog is trained to help with your disability
  • That your dog won’t cause trouble in public
  • That your dog’s rabies shots are up-to-date
  • Your vet’s contact information (just in case)

If it’s your first time filling out this form, check out our guide on how to complete the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. For longer flights (8+ hours), you’ll need one more form: the DOT’s Service Animal Relief Attestation Form. This asks if your dog can hold it for the entire flight or if you have a plan for bathroom breaks that won’t create a mess.

Getting these forms to United Airlines is straightforward. Submit them at least 48 hours before your flight. If you’re booking within that 48-hour window, bring the completed forms to the airport.

Keep a copy of these forms on your phone and a printed version in your bag. United staff might ask to see them at check-in, at the gate, or even on the plane. 

How to Book Your Service Dog on United

There are two key steps to flying with a service animal: booking your trip and selecting the appropriate seat on the plane.

Book Your Trip

The first thing you’ll need to do is let United know you’re bringing a service dog. How you do this depends on where you’re going.

For domestic flights, you have two steps:

  1. Select “I’m bringing a task-trained service dog on my trip” when booking your ticket
  2. 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 (including flights to Hawaii and Guam), you’ll need to call United’s accessibility desk at 1-800-228-2744 to add a service dog to your trip, as there may be destination-specific rules for traveling with a service dog.

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.

Here’s a smart seat selection strategy if you’re flying with a service dog:

First-class and business-class passengers are welcome. Unlike regular pets, service dogs can fly in any cabin class on United. United might restrict pets from premium cabins on certain aircraft, but those rules don’t apply to service dogs.

Bulkhead seats give you extra room. These front-row seats don’t have anyone in front of you, so there’s usually more floor space for your dog to stretch out. Just make sure your dog doesn’t wander into other passengers’ areas.

Avoid the very back of the plane. Bathroom lines form right next to those seats, and people will be stepping around your dog all flight long.

If you have a large dog, ask for help. United can move you to a seat with more space or even provide an empty adjacent seat if the flight isn’t full. Call the Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 when you book to see what accommodations can be made for your flight. 

Window seats work well for anxious flying dogs. Your dog has a wall on one side instead of people walking by constantly.

You can put your service dog in a pet carrier if you choose, as long as it meets size requirements. The carrier is stowed under the seat during takeoff and landing, but your dog can come out during the flight.

You can’t bring a pet stroller to the gate. A pet stroller counts as a checked bag and must be checked in the lobby. 

You can’t sit in an exit row with a service animal. United blocks these seats automatically when you add a service dog to your reservation. If it’s your first time taking your dog on a plane, check out our guide on how to fly with a dog. 

Rules on the Plane

Getting to the airport early gives you time to handle any paperwork questions without rushing. Ask about pre-boarding when you check in — boarding first lets you and your dog get settled without the squeeze of other passengers. We recommend getting to the airport at least 2 hours before boarding time, especially if it’s your first time flying with your service dog. 

Here’s what to expect once you’re on board:

  • Keep your dog leashed or harnessed the entire flight
  • Your dog needs to stay positioned where they won’t block an evacuation route
  • Most dogs sit on the floor by your feet without sticking into the aisle
  • Small dogs can sit in your lap if they’re about the size of a toddler
  • Your service dog can’t take up an empty seat or spill into your neighbor’s space
  • Using a carrier is optional, but if you do, it has to be stowed for takeoff and landing
United Airlines Service Dog Policy
Before flying with a service dog on United Airlines, familiarize yourself with their latest Service Dog Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About United Airlines’ Service Dog Policy

What about United’s lounges? 
Service dogs are welcome in United Club lounges and Polaris lounges. Just keep your dog close and quiet so other guests can relax. Some travelers worry about this, but I’ve never seen anyone have trouble bringing their service dog into a United lounge.

Can I save my service dog’s information to my United account?
Yes, and you should. United lets you save your dog’s details to your MileagePlus profile. Next time you book, just click to add your saved service dog info instead of filling out everything again. It’s one of the better features United offers compared to other airlines.

My dog is a pit bull. Can we fly United?
This gets complicated. United’s general pet policy bans pit bulls, but service dogs have no breed restrictions. We recommend calling United’s Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 to get advice for your specific flight. 

What if my connecting flight is on United Express or a partner airline?
United Express follows the same service dog rules as mainline United. However, if you’re connecting to a codeshare partner, such as Lufthansa or Air Canada, you’ll also need to meet their service dog requirements.

What if a United staff member in the lounge tells me service dogs aren’t allowed?
Some lounge staff are unfamiliar with the rules. Politely explain that service dogs are welcome in all United lounges. If they push back, ask for the lounge manager and mention that you can speak with a CRO (Complaint Resolution Official) if needed. Every United location has trained CROs who understand disability laws.