Southwest airlines on Friday announced customers will soon be allowed to board the aircraft with their small dog or cat following payment of the “pet fare” of $75 each way.

The Dallas-based airline requires the pet be contained in a carrier that fits under the seat, the carrier will count as the passenger’s carry-on bag for those flights.

We know from customer and employee feedback that our new 'pet' customers will be a welcomed addition to any flight, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said in a news release Friday.

The new pet policy is one of several programs and processes that Southwest Airlines is implementing in an effort to enhance the service the Carrier provides, and at the same time, create opportunities for incremental revenue growth.