THE POLICY

SWATT TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES

For the safety and well-being of all animals, Flight Angels, fellow passengers, and airline personnel, all SWATT transports must meet the following requirements. These requirements apply to the animal, Rescue Partner, Flight Angel, and Transport Coordinator.

ANIMAL REQUIREMENTS

All animals transported through SWATT must:

Be at least eight 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
Be in good health and have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection CVI/Health Certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Have a copy of the current CVI/HC uploaded to the animal’s Facebook Group Chat no later than 24 hours before the scheduled transport, unless alternative arrangements have been approved by SWATT.
Be appropriately socialized and demonstrate socially appropriate behavior.
Be current on all required vaccinations.
Fit comfortably inside an airline-approved, soft-sided pet carrier with no metal bars. The carrier must meet applicable Southwest Airlines Pet Policy requirements and fit securely underneath the aircraft seat.
Not exhibit disruptive or aggressive behavior, including scratching, excessive whining or barking, growling, biting, lunging, urinating, or defecating in the aircraft cabin or gate area.
Arrive clean, bathed, and free of odors. The carrier must also be clean and odor-free.
Follow NPOG No Paws on the Ground requirements for animals under 16 weeks of age.
Undergo a private screening at TSA security if the animal is a feline.
Have a pawdicure prior to transport if the animal is a feline.

Weight & Carrier Limits

No individual animal may weigh more than eighteen 18 pounds.
A maximum of two 2 animals of the same species may travel in one carrier, with a combined weight of no more than twenty 20 pounds, provided the animals can comfortably and safely fit in the carrier and all applicable airline requirements are met.

REQUIRED TRAVEL SUPPLIES

The Rescue Partner must provide all supplies necessary for the animal’s safe and comfortable journey, including:

A copy of the current, valid CVI/Health Certificate, signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and uploaded to the Facebook Group Chat.
An airline-approved, soft-sided pet carrier that is new or gently used and free from damage, tears, holes, cross-contamination, and odors. All zippers must be fully functional.
Harness and leash.
All applicable medications and supplements, with appropriate instructions.
Small blanket.
Small amount of food and/or treats.
Pee pads.
Waste bags.
Small toy or comfort item.

RESCUE PARTNER, FLIGHT ANGEL & TRANSPORT COORDINATOR REQUIREMENTS

The Rescue Partner, Flight Angel, and Transport Coordinator must:

Have a working cell phone and remain reachable throughout the transport.
Be available during all phases of the transport and actively monitor Facebook Messenger.
Remain flexible regarding drop-off, connection, and pick-up times, as schedules may change due to standby travel and operational circumstances.
Meet inside the airport terminal for both drop-off and pick-up.
Meet two 2 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Ensure the designated drop-off person remains available until the Flight Angel has departed in case of an unexpected delay, change, or cancellation.
Maintain clear, timely, and respectful communication throughout the day of transport.

COMMUNICATION POLICY

The designated SWATT Facebook Group Chat is the official communication channel for the transport. All transport-related communication must remain in the Group Chat so that the Rescue Partner, Flight Angel, and Transport Coordinator have consistent access to the same information.

Contacting a Flight Angel privately or outside of the designated SWATT Group Chat regarding a SWATT transport is not permitted without the knowledge and approval of the SWATT Transport Coordinator.

Participants must also comply with all applicable Southwest Airlines Social Media Policies.

APPROVED RESCUE PARTNERS

To participate in the SWATT Program, a Rescue Partner must be a verified 501c3 nonprofit organization.

The Rescue Partner is solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, registrations, permits, veterinary requirements, and other governmental requirements related to the animal and its transportation. SWATT does not assume responsibility for the Rescue Partner’s regulatory or legal obligations.

Reaching out directly to a SWATT Flight Angel to arrange transportation outside of the SWATT Program, including transportation for personal or independent purposes, is prohibited and constitutes a violation of SWATT Program requirements.

SWATT Flight Angels may not provide transportation to or for a SWATT-approved Rescue Partner outside of the SWATT coordination process without prior approval from SWATT.

These actions may jeopardize the Rescue Partner’s participation in the SWATT Program and may result in removal from the program.

SWATT reserves the right to re-evaluate its partnership with any organization participating in the SWATT Program and may cancel or decline a transport at any time, at its discretion.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EMPLOYEE TRAVEL PRIVILEGE POLICY

Effective April 6, 2026, Southwest Airlines updated its Employee Travel Privilege Policy ETPP to recognize SWATT Southwest Animal Transport Team as a Company-Approved Organization.

This recognition formally establishes SWATT within the applicable Company policy and provides important protection and support for Flight Angels participating in properly coordinated SWATT transports.

Requests made directly to a SWATT Flight Angel for animal transportation outside of the SWATT Program, including personal or independent transport requests, are not permitted and may constitute a violation of Southwest Airlines policy.

Flight Angels participating in the SWATT Program may not arrange or conduct animal transports outside of SWATT coordination while using Southwest Airlines travel privileges. Such activity may jeopardize an individual’s Southwest Airlines travel privileges and may also affect their eligibility to participate as a SWATT Flight Angel.

PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By participating in a SWATT transport, all participants acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with these requirements, the SWATT Transport Policies and Procedures, applicable Southwest Airlines Pet Policies, the Employee Travel Privilege Policy ETPP, and all other applicable Southwest Airlines and SWATT Policies and Waivers.

Our policies exist to protect the animals we transport, our Flight Angels, our Rescue Partners, Southwest Airlines, and the integrity of the SWATT Program.

📸 SOCIAL MEDIA DISCLAIMER

Photos, videos, and content shared in SWATT Transport Chats may be used by SWATT and participating parties to document and tell the story of the transport on social media and other communication platforms.

If there are any restrictions on the use of submitted content, please clearly communicate them when the content is shared. Otherwise, content shared in the Transport Chat may be considered available for transport-related storytelling and social media use.

This applies to anyone participating in or involved with the transport, including Flight Angels, Rescue Partners, fosters, adopters, volunteers, and other participating partners.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

SWATT utilizes our flight privileges to fly small cats and dogs under the seat. This is done on a space-available basis. We are the last to board after paying passengers have been seated. That said, we are unable to provide a guarantee for any scheduled flight or date. Changes can occur up until the time of boarding and therefore all parties must be available and flexible if schedules should change.

We ask all parties to be familiar with Facebook Messenger because all transport communications are completed via that platform.

The sender will provide an airline-approved soft-sided carrier (max dimensions 18”L x 11”W x 10.5”T) unless SWATT can provide one.

If SWATT provides a carrier that was donated to us from Southwest Airlines, is can ONLY be used for a SWATT-approved transport.

Please see the required supply list. Please provide any volunteers involved with your organization with the above information and ensure they visit the website.

The transport experience is stressful for any pet, and for that reason, we will discuss sedation with you for the pet. Please be prepared to secure this from your vet at the time you receive your health certificate. We have found Benadryl not to be consistently reliable. We ask that all pets be crate-trained and have spent time in the airline-approved carrier before the travel date.

Please be prepared to be “on call” and willing to Drop Off and Pick Up at whatever hour is dictated by available seats. Drop Offs and Pick Ups are only at the airport.

NOTE: I, said Rescue Partner named above, submit the information provided is honest and accurate. I understand the conditions of a transport and will abide by the policy, terms and conditions or be subject to removal from the program and consideration for future transports. I understand that SWATT has the right to re-evaluate a partnership with any organization in the SWATT Program and has the right to cancel a transport at any time at its discretion.
NOTE: Compensation for animal transports is not permitted.

All transports must be conducted through the SWATT program and must comply with Southwest Airlines' Pet Policies and the Southwest Airlines

Employee Travel Privilege Policy (ETPP).

All participants in the SWATT program are expected to

uphold and comply with the Southwest Airlines Code of Conduct and the Employee Travel Privilege Policy (ETPP)

while utilizing travel privileges.

It is the responsibility of the Rescue Partner to comply with local, state, and federal guidelines, registration, regulations, and requirements. It is the responsibility of the Rescue Partner to ensure the animal is temperamentally fit to fly and not a flight risk.

SWATT, as an organization, and SWATT Flight Angels

can not be held liable.