Southwest Airlines publishes under-seat dimensions
Photo by Rob Speed
Unlike other U.S. airlines, Southwest does not stipulate what size carrier it will accept for in-cabin pets. Instead, it has published the dimensions of the under-seat space available to travelers. Southwest has a fleet of Boeing 737s (the -300, -500 and -700 series), and apparently the same measurement applies to all of its planes.
Southwest’s under-seat dimensions are as follows:
- Window Seat: 19″L x 14″W x 8.25″H
- Middle Seat: 19″L x 19″W x 8.25″H
- Aisle Seat: 19″L x 14″W x 8.25″H
I think this is a very sensible approach. You can look at these dimensions and really understand that an in-cabin carrier that’s 20″ long just won’t fit. You can test, at home, whether your carrier can flex enough to fit under an 8.25″ ceiling and still give your pet the headroom she needs. I hope more airlines follow Southwest’s lead!
A few months later I traveled on a Southwest 737 (-700 series) with a tape measure, and posted a follow-up message about choosing seats with an in-cabin dog on Southwest.
Related posts:
- Which seat works best with an in-cabin dog? [Southwest 737-700] In an earlier post, I advised you to choose a middle seat, since they generally have the most room to...
- Southwest Airlines changes pet policy Southwest Airlines announced today that customers can begin purchasing tickets on June 1 for their dogs or cats, for in-cabin...
- Update: Height of Southwest’s under-seat spaces (737 -300 and -700 series) Back in September 2010, I reported that the height of Southwest’s under-seat spaces, at least on a 737 -700 series...
- Guaranteed On Board Program from American Airlines and Sherpa Under this program, recently launched by Sherpa Pet Group and American Airlines, if your dog fits in one of three...
- Which seat works best with an in-cabin dog? [JetBlue E-190] I started this series in December 2009, when I wrote a post about the space available under seats in Southwest’s...
5/22/2011-I flew yesterday on Southwest with my 14lb mini poodle in the Medium Sherpa bag with dimensions of18″ D x 11″ W x 10.5″ H I bought at Petsmart. It fit fine in the middle seat sideways and window seat long ways. I’m glad I returned the Large, it would have been too big. I flew on the 737-300 and 737-700. No issues at check in or with flight attendants. Southwest charges $75 each way.
Thanks so much for the report, Kate! It’s so helpful to hear what real live travelers (and travelers other than me!) are encountering.