Traveling with a Cat on a Plane

(Last Updated On: April 23, 2022)

Traveling with a cat on a plane needs more attention than we do for a human. You can place your dog, cat, or another animal “under the airplane”. Some types of aircraft have a pressurized cargo hold that maintains the same conditions as the cabin, where you are sitting. This involves booking in advance, as there are limited places and the fee is paid by the airline. This article will discuss tips and tricks on traveling with a cat on a plane.

Depending on the airlines, you can bring your pet to the check-in counter to pick up as a regular bag (this is an American and Alaska option, among others), or take them to a separate cargo drop-off location, which is United. Or flying with your pet in Delta, you have to.

For each airline, you’ll need a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 days of departure (for each flight – so if your trip is longer than 10 days, you’ll need to get another certificate at your destination).

Here are some additional fees and restrictions at large airlines.

Alaska: You can check or ship your pet as cargo. The airlines have claimed that they can refuse an animal if there are “extreme outdoor temperatures,” though no strict restrictions are listed for traveling with a cat on a plane.

American: You can fly with your pet as non-Airbus airplane-tested luggage at $ 200 per dress. The ground temperature may not be below 45 degrees F (without a letter from your veterinarian) or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for traveling with a cat on a plane.

Delta: You can drive your dog or cat as cargo. The ground temperature should not be below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

United: You can drive your dog or cat as cargo to a different cargo location. It costs $ 338 for travel. Your pet and its crate must meet certain requirements. There are also restrictions on location during certain months due to outside temperatures.

Be sure to check with your airline before booking any further restrictions that may apply to your specific flight.

The benefit of overcoming this process is that there is no weight limit – you can fly with your Great Dane as long as you are sitting crated, and can stand up, and move around. There is no support requirement, meaning that your animal does not have to work in a service capacity to fly with you. You can also test any type of pet (excluding snob-nose dogs like the French Bulldog).

Obviously, the bad side is the cost and convenience, especially if you have to drive your animal to a completely different place away from the airport.

Pets in the cabin

The second option is to take your pet on the plane under your front seat. This is your only option in some major airlines, such as Southwest and JetBlue – these airlines do not allow pets in the cargo at all. Unless your pet can roam in an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, your friend can travel with you.

In some cases, pets and carriers need to weigh a combined 20 pounds. Some airlines have restrictions for first and business-class seats on certain types of planes, so contact your airline first before booking a ticket for traveling with a cat on a plane.

Note that usually your pet’s travel schedule with your airline must be set 14 days in advance, as there are slots for each specific pet on the plane. Most airlines charge one hundred to two hundred dollars to carry your pet on a plane.

The obvious bad side of this option is that the animal has to be very small; Many full-grown cats and even some small dogs are too big to fit under the seat for traveling with a cat on a plane.

There are also risks associated with flying with your pet. In a recent high-profile case, the seat was kept there instead of below when a snob-nose dog died in the overhead bin. Many carriers already limit the breed of dogs that can be tested on cargo hold; Now some are adding restrictions to dogs that can be carried on an airplane due to safety concerns.

Service animals

Individuals with service animals, such as blind passengers who need a service dog to walk and look for their seats, are usually welcome to bring their animal on a plane as they perform a lifesaving activity for traveling with a cat on a plane.

Sensitive Support Animals (ESAs)

To avoid the fees and disadvantages of testing an animal, airlines travelers will often register their pets as “Sensitive Support Animals,” or ESAs. To do this, travelers need a letter from a mental health professional claiming that the pet does the work necessary for its owner, though many companies have emerged claiming to only sell ESA letters online

ESAs have had problems with their behavior as they become common issues Until recently, no formal training was required and no breeds were restricted for ESAs, so many animals, from ducks to pigs, rode with their owners and, in some cases, obstructed.

In some cases, unskilled “sensitive support” animals have caused problems by attacking life-saving service animals, calling for a ban on trained animals, rather than training people with disabilities.

As a result, some airlines now ask patrons to sign a training verification with Delta. Law 25 was also introduced in 2018 which would require airlines to more closely align their definition of a service animal with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Breed restrictions for in-cabin animals

In January 2018, United announced that they would limit animal support to dogs and cats older than four months and banned ESAs for more than eight hours, citing an increase in incidents.

United joins Delta, Spirit, and Alaska in announcing these restrictions. All three airlines require three forms (a vet certificate, a letter from a mental health professional, and a passenger waiver) and receive a 5-hour notice before bringing the ESA on the plane.

If your pet does not perform any life-saving tasks or weighs more than 20 pounds, it is best for you to test your pet or drive it through cargo. Be sure to travel outside the expected temperature (or airport) in extreme temperatures and you will receive a letter from the vet before you travel. And if you ever doubt, call your airline before booking a ticket to make sure you bring your pet with you on your flight.

Here’s what you should do before traveling with a cat on a plane.

Choosing the Right Airlines

Cat-friendly airline

If you are planning to fly in tow with your cats or cats, you must first select an airline. When it comes to airlines, you need to know that not all airlines are pet-friendly and each airline has its own rules when it comes to traveling with pets. Some airlines do not allow any pets to travel at all, while some of them allow you to travel with pets when you are taking them to a competition or cat pageant.

Also, many airlines have restrictions on how much your cat can weigh, what type of cat you are allowed to travel to, how often you can travel with him, your cat may be in the cabin with you or he must be in the cargo, how many papers you need.

(Such as medical records and passports) and what vaccinations your cat needs to travel before traveling Tyadi. So, before you select an airplane, you should know all about them. Here is a list of airlines that are pet-friendly and they have some rules.

1. United Airlines

United Airlines allows domestic cats of a certain size to travel in aircraft cabins on most flights to the United States. Note that your cat must be over 8-months-old. One flight costs $ 125 each way. Not only do they allow pets, they also allow carrying bags, which is unusual.

For cat cats on cabin travel, United Airlines offers PetSafe, which includes airplane tugs pressed in the same way as cabins, providing airport-to-airport service for pets, and a 24-hour live animal desk that enables owners to track cats at all times while traveling with a cat on a plane.

2. Jet Blue Airlines

Jet Blue is the leading provider of pet travel airlines. Jet Blue charges a pet fee of $ 100 each way and permits one pet per carrier as the cat and cat carrier are considered to carry luggage.

The cat, with the carrier, cannot exceed 20 pounds at once and the carrier itself cannot exceed the following dimensions: 17 inches long x 12.5 inches wide x 8 inches tall. JetBlue’s JetPaws program includes a cat carrier and possibly a special bag tag for most airlines, allowing them to book flights for your cat online.

Pets are also allowed on domestic and international flights to Jet Blue, except Jamaica, Barbados, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. According to their website, all cat breeds are allowed on the plane. A big plus for Jet Blue Airlines is that they publish their own branding and affiliate carriers and other travel kits, as well as a checklist for traveling with a cat on a plane.

3. WestJet Airlines

WestJet allows you to travel your cat to the cabin, and count toward your carry-on baggage allowance, or baggage. WestJet is one of the cheapest airlines for pet travel because they charge $ 50 to $ 60 each way and $ 75 to $ 90 if part of the “check baggage” if they run.

This airline allows up to 100 pounds for pets and carriers to get together. In addition to this, a traveler can check out six pets, which is what makes WestJet ideal when you are traveling with a cat on a plane or more than one cat.

4. Virgin Atlantic Airlines

The cost of aviation with Virgin Atlantic Airlines depends on the size of your cat and the combination of his travel box. Virgin Atlantic has also requested a call in their shipping department to discuss pets before they book their tickets for traveling with a cat on a plane.

5. Alaska Airlines

Pets are taken in the cabin of the aircraft, counted as a carry bag allocation, and in the baggage and cargo section. Pets who are traveling on cargo need a health certificate within 10 days of the outgoing departure date.

Alaska Airlines has a climate-controlled baggage and cargo bogie. The airline also offers pet travel for pets who travel without their owners. Pet Connection provides a free pet health check and discounted health certificate.

6. Alligator air

Alligator Air permits cats and dogs and only allows pets to be carried on a plane and kept in the cabin, not checked in on the cargo hold. For this, Allegiant Air charges $ 100 each way, which this airline is known for its high accessory fees.

7. American Airlines

When it comes to pet travel, American Airlines has severe restrictions on the type of pet that can fly, but cats are allowed. At American Airlines, only cats and dogs are allowed to stay in the cabin with you without the flat-faced breeds. Cats don’t have the climate control system they need

Ergo can’t fly on hold. The temperature range is up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit anywhere, so your cat must be with you in the cabin to avoid complications. For flights within the United States, the fee to bring a pet to the cabin is $ 125 is not allowed in the pet cabin on long international flights, but it depends.

8. Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is more moderate in bringing pets on board. It is allowed to bring your cat, without any flat-faced breed. When it comes to airline restrictions, only two types of aircraft are not allowed to carry animals on cargo hold, these two types of Boeing 767 and A330-200 are allowed to fly on cargo hold on all other aircraft pets.

Also, Delta Airlines restricts pet travel to numerous countries and does not allow pets in cabins when traveling to China, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

If your cat is an emotional support animal, you should also bring advanced documentation from a medical professional citing the animal’s needs. Delta Airlines charges $ 125 for cats traveling on domestic flights and $ 200 for international flights, but if you are traveling to Brazil, the fee will be $ 75.

9. Spirit Airlines

A Florida-based carrier has some rules for pet travel. Except when flying to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the airline allows your cat to fly with you and you cannot fly with your pet internationally. Pets are only allowed in the cabin. $ 110 per flight will be charged for pet travel with Spirit Airlines

10. Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has a Medium Pet Travel Policy. The airline restricts pets on board to small domesticated cats and dogs, who must be vaccinated. Pets are allowed to fly in the cabin of any Southwest aircraft, but not in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Pets are limited to domestic pets, so you cannot fly with your cat internationally. Also, Southwest Airlines sells their own branded carriers for $ 58 and airlines for your animals for $ 95.

We recommend that you double-check with the airline you have chosen to avoid misunderstandings. Also, if you are flying internationally, you need to know whether the country you want to visit allows you to bring your best friends because not all countries allow you to do this and when it comes to animals, many countries have their own rules.

Get the right carrier for your cat

If you are going to travel with your cat for the first time, you need to make sure you purchase the right type of cat carrier for the airline. The level and type of carrier depending on the airport you choose.

You need to tell yourself what kind of transportation is allowed in the cabin. The space below your seat in the airplane will determine the size of the transportation carrier, so you should ask the airline to provide the appropriate dimensions for the airline below the seat.

You should also check with your airline company whether you can get a soft-sided or hard-sided carrier. Most airlines will accept both soft and rigid carriers, but some airlines will require a certain type. We recommend soft-sided carriers as they are easy to slide and fit under your seat. Some airlines have their own brand, so you don’t have to worry about which brand to buy.

If you do not want to keep your cat under the seat during the entire flight, you should consider booking your own cat in its own seat. However, before spending money, make sure the aircraft is allowed. Also, if you have multiple cats flying with you, and the airline only accepts one, you can ask a friend to fly with you so you can take two cats.

Get your cat into a carrier

Once you’ve purchased the right carrier for the flight with your cat, it’s time to accustom him as a carrier. We suggest you buy a carrier at least a month in advance of the plane booked so that your cat may become accustomed to it.

It can be difficult to use your cat as a transporter, so here are a few tips and tricks for driving your cat.

Don’t force your cat to enter

When it comes to getting your cat accustomed to a carrier, he or she should not be forced to enter. Give time and make it understood with love and care.

Cats are not like dogs

Dogs will always listen to you because they are more submissive than cats. Cats do whatever they want. You must have experienced that situation when you called your cat to bond with you, but he was just staring at you and going his own way.

Cats are distinct lifeforms, and you can’t do what you want from your cat. So, the first step would be to let him get on his own carrier.

Shots are natural explorers and will touch and touch every new thing in the house. When you come home with a new carrier, just introduce it to your cat while on the floor. Like all cats, he would sniff it, touch it, and even take a nap at it or at it. Exploring her own carrier, the first part will be completed.

Encourage him to visit the place

The second step in getting your cat accustomed to a carrier is to get him out and encouraged. It would be best to keep some of your cat’s favorite toys in the carrier and feed it on it, doing so will add your cat carrier to a pose.

Also, you will go through the airport security check with your cat practicing with your cat in and out of the transporter.

First, go for a short walk

Because you do not know how your cat will behave on an outdoor transporter, it is best to go with him on a carrier. Getting out of the house for the first time probably won’t be a pleasant experience for you as a cat, but it will only get better with each subsequent walk.

The first walk should be as short as possible. When you find that your cat has enough, go back home and give her a reward for her good behavior after each walk. You and your cat will both benefit from the walk because you know what to expect during the flight and your cat will be a little calmer.

Worried your cat will make a noise?

If you are concerned that your cat will be frightened and “make a noise” on the carrier during the flight, you can line the transporter with an absorbing ribbon pad. So, if your cat causes some “accident” at the airport or during the flight, the potty pads will soak it.

It would be wise to carry some extra pads, zip lock bags, paper towels, and gloves with you to clean the “accident” and get ready for contamination. If you are not sure about the potty-pads efficiency, you can also buy a portable litter box.

Whatever the duration of the flight, your cat may need to use a litter box occasionally, so that you don’t make the mistake of buying a potty pad and/or litter box.
When to Feed a Cat

We do not recommend feeding your cat on the day of the flight. If your cat is “stuffed” with food before your flight, your furry friend has a good chance of making “turmoil” before it even gets on the plane. Some cats tend to have stomach problems while flying, so limiting the risk of nausea and vomiting on the plane by not eating their food hours before the flight.

If he is too hungry for your cat, you can bring some food with him or if your favorite pet is intimidated, you can give him food to keep him out of the real problem. If you are planning a long flight or if it involves layovers, be sure to give your cat small amounts of food and water.
Get the harness

If you do not have protection for your cat, you should get one before your flight. At the airport, your bag and other languages must pass through an X-ray screening device, so of course, you have a cat carrier.

Although everything will be screened, your cat will not do so, so you have to get him out of the transporter at the airport. Since you have to carry your cat as a human screening device and your cat must try to escape from your arm, you should attach a harness to your cat to avoid escaping. So prepare yourself and your cat for the X-ray before you put it into the cat carrier.

Also, you need to keep luggage tags, your name, current address, telephone number, and your final destination in your cat’s carrier to detect if it is lost in transit or at the airport.

Go to the veterinarian

You must be taken to a veterinarian for treatment before you go on a flight with your cat. Each airline requests a health certificate from an approved veterinarian.

How many papers and check-ups do you have to do with your cat before the flight depends on the airline and final destination. If you are traveling to the US, you probably don’t need to do so many check-ups, but if you are going on a flight with your cat internationally, you need to do more.

Talk to the airline about everything you need to do and when you should do it, as some health certificates are only valid for 10 days. Make sure you are informed of what you need to do before the flight.

By visiting the veterinarian, you can get everything you need for the flight and ask the veterinarian how you can make it more pleasurable for your cat. Here are some things your veterinarian can do for you and your cat:

Do not go to a therapist, but it would be best to ask him or her to check on your overweight friend’s total health. Also, if you are already there, you can ask your veterinarian to renew a prescription if your cat accepts something, so you do not need to worry about whether the medication will expire or you should check with your veterinarian for chumps and ticks. You can also say and do the treatment. If you want to go to a foreign country, you need treatment for ticks and broilers, and this is good for your cat as well.

If you are worried that your cat will be in a complete panic at the airport, or on the flight, and start to catch you and the transporter, it would be a good idea to cut them off before arriving at the airport. So if you are too scared to cut your cat’s nails, you can ask your veterinarian to do if your cat does not already have a microchip, your veterinarian can microchip it.

This is important for some people not to microchip your pet, but for the identification of pets and many foreign countries also require you to microchip your cat before entering. The chip maker’s database will contain information such as your name, your cat’s name, and address so you can find them if your pet is lost.

Because many airlines and foreign countries require a complete health certificate, your veterinarian can complete them and he or she can verify that your cat’s cataracts and other vaccinations are current and issue a vaccination certificate.

If your thing is that your cat is terrified on a full-time flight, you should ask your veterinarian to order a sedition for your cat. It is not recommended to seduce your cat, but if your cat is stressed and anxious while traveling, you may want to ridicule him during the entire flight to avoid being mourned.

So, now that you know what you need for a plane and how to properly prepare your cat and yourself for travel, it’s time to talk about the real flight part.

Travel time!

After you’ve completed the entire task of choosing the right aircraft, booking a ticket, buying a car for your cat, taking your cat to the veterinarian, and producing all the paperwork needed for the flight you arrived on.

If you haven’t already traveled with your cat, you can’t predict how your cat will behave on the flight. If that happens, here are some things you can expect:

Your cat will probably be scared and anxious during the flight. No cat likes strangers and crowded places, strange smells, and loud scary words.

At airport security checks, he will probably try to escape, so prepare yourself to try to “beagle” from your hand.

Your cat will probably, once Maya start, try to indicate to her that she is scared, do not worry because it is completely normal, anyone time she will stop.

He would, of course, try to escape from the transporter. You will see him digging a hole in his carrier.

If your cat is in complete panic, he’ll probably make a “mess” in the carrier.

After the plane, when you get to your final destination, he’ll probably be angry with you, so prepare some mouthfuls for him to forget about the “awful” thing you do for him.

Be caring

Try to stay calm before and during the flight. If you are scared or anxious, your cat will notice it. Cats know how you’re feeling, you know what we mean as your stomach hurts and your cat comes to you, lies in your stomach, and starts purring to make you feel better.

So if you are scared, your cat will notice that something has gone wrong so he or she will start feeling stressed as you do. On the other hand, if your cat looks and thinks that you are cool, he will be quiet too.

While on the plane, you should talk to your own cat. If you talk to your cat, he or she will feel more comfortable. You can bring a toy with you on the flight and play with it, and talk while you are playing. By playing and talking to her, you will distract your beloved Cullini from the flight.

Take away

Everything you need right now, before and after a flight. Even with all this knowledge, if the flight goes smoothly or becomes a catastrophic experience, you may not have too much of an impact, the effect will keep your cat on.

Each cat has its own personality and temperament, so it all depends on the cat. If you are lucky, your cat will not have problems with the flight. Some cats will simply eat, sleep and be happy on the flight, while others will cause problems. Since you know your furry friend best, here’s your own advice

Feel free to mix up some of the experiences. You must know the best way to keep your cat calm during the flight. We wish you a happy airplane and hope we have helped you prepare your cat for it.