Flying with your cat or cats in cabin is a great option for families and individuals traveling with a cat.
Flying with cats requires planning and exploring the rules and regulations in advance. You have to be prepared but the process gets easier with experience. Follow the airline’s instructions to avoid issues with boarding your pet.
In this post, we list the airlines that allow traveling with one or more cats in cabin. We look at the fees and other relevant information, including how many cats are permitted, maximum dimensions and weight, and if both domestic and international options are available. We provide the links to the pet policies of each airline for your review in case a particular airline option seems like a good fit for you and your pet.
12 Airlines that Allow Travelling with Cats in Cabin
| Airline | Number of cats/ carriers allowed | Fee | Carrier dimensions | Maximum weight | International |
| Alaska Airlines | 2 cats per carrier, can bring 4 cats in 2 carriers if you purchase a ticket for an adjacent seat | 100 USD per carrier | Hard-sided carrier 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″; soft-sided carrier 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ | No maximum | Yes |
| Delta | 1 adult cat, or 2 kittens 10 aged up to 6 months; one cat with her unweaned litter if the kittens are between 10 weeks to 6 months | 95 USD per carrier within the U.S, 200 USD per carrier internationally | 18” x 11” x 11” | No maximum | Yes |
| Southwest Airlines | Up to 2 cats per container | 95 USD per carrier | 18.5” x 13.5” x 9.5” | No maximum | No |
| Spirit Airlines | 2 cats in one container per person | 125 USD per container | 18″ x 14″ x 9″ (45.7cm x 35.5 cm x 22.8cm); only soft containers are allowed | 40 pounds (18.14 kg) | No |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 1 pet in one container per person; two kittens in one container | between Hawaiian islands 35 USD; within the US 125 USD | 16” x 10” x 9.5” | up to 25 lb (11 kg) | No |
| Frontier Airlines | 1 cat | 99 USD | 18″ x 14″ x 8″ | no maximum | Yes |
| United Airlines | 1 per container | 125 USD each way + 125 USD for any layover longer than 4 hrs within the U.S. and longer than 24 hours internationally | Hard-sided: 7.5″ x 17.5″ x 12″/19 x 44 x 30 cm; soft-sided: 11 x 18 x 11 in/27 x 45 x 26 cm | no maximum | Yes |
| Lufthansa | 2 cats per carrier | Lufthansa fee calculator | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | Up to 8 kg | Yes |
| Turkish Airlines | 2 cats per carrier | Pet Carriage Fee Calculator | Turkish Airlines ® | 23 x 30 cm x 40 cm | Up to 8 kg | Yes |
| Tap Air Portugal | 2 cats per carrier | intercontinental 185 USD, 88 USD within Europe and to several North African locations | carrier must be malleable, not hard, and has to fit into the following space: 45 x 30 x 23 cm | Up to 8 kg | Yes |
| Air Europa | Up to 3 cats per carrier but must meet the weight/dimensions requirement | 52 USD within the US, fees vary for intercontinental travel | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | Maximum weight including carrier is 10kg | Yes |
| Aeroflot | Up to 3 cats per container | 135 USD | 44 x 30 x 26 cm | Up to 8 kg | Yes |
15 General Rules and Common Expectations When You Fly With a Cat In Cabin
There is a variety of rules, regulations, and expectations that are specific to the airline. Rules change depending on the destination and, sometimes, your pet’s characteristics. The following are some rules that are pretty common for most airlines. Of course, it is important to study the information provided by the airline of your choice.
1. Obtain a Health Certificate for Your Cat Within 10 Days Before the Flight
Make an appointment with a veterinarian within 10 days before you take your cat on board. The veterinarian will perform a standard health check and provide the necessary paperwork to certify that your cat is at least 8-10 weeks old, does not show any signs or symptoms of illness, and has had the required vaccinations.
Getting a health certificate is a good way to ensure that your cat is ready for the trip. It also helps to avoid any last-minute changes, because a licensed healthcare professional will assist you with important paperwork.
2. Avoid Sedating Without a Recommendation from a Veterinarian but Address Your Pet’s Anxiety
Avoid sedating your pet, even if you are planning to take a long flight and your pet is noisy. There are many risks associated with sedatives for animals, especially in the new environment of an airplane trip.
If you know that your cat is prone to anxiety and vocalizing under stress, discuss the issue with your pet’s veterinarian. The vet might be able to prescribe some mild anxiolytics for your pet and offer advice in general.
If your cat has a medication he or she takes regularly, prescribed or recommended by the cat’s veterinarian, then definitely give the medication as instructed.
Some cats respond well to an anxiety relief vest. A pheromone spray, such as Feliway in a small spray bottle suitable for travel can be helpful for a cat. It promotes a sense of comfort in felines.
Animals with severe anxiety or behavioral issues might not tolerate the trip and it is worth considering finding an alternative plan, including a pet sitter at home.
3. Make the Carrier Feel Like a Safe Spot Ahead of Time
Of course, the need to travel might arise unexpectedly but in most cases, there is some time to allow the cat to get used to the carrier in advance.
Get a well-ventilated carrier, approved by airlines in general, and spacious enough for your cat or cats. Confirm the dimensions required by the airline of your choice. Many companies sell pet carriers on their website if you prefer to be certain that the airline will approve of the carrier you have.
Some carriers are leak-proof, which is important. Otherwise, plan to provide appropriate padding in case your pet soils the carrier. Put a comfort blankie, a toy – anything to keep your pet comfortable. Have a collapsible water bottle available for the trip.
Keep the carrier out in your home for some time, so the cat can explore it as needed. If your pet loves to sit in the carrier, that will make him or her more comfortable during the trip.
4. Teach Your Cat to Wear a Harness
Some cats do not like to be on a leash, even after ample experience with a harness. Sometimes you might try a couple of different brands or types of a harness and your pet might like one more than others. Either way, walking on a leash is a skill that is important for the safety of a traveling cat.
Although your cat has to stay inside the carrier on the plane, there will likely be opportunities to walk around while waiting, transferring, and so on. Find a comfortable, sturdy harness and have your kitty practice walking with it.
If your cat is okay with a harness, giving breaks on arrival and even while waiting at the airport is so much easier. It will reduce stress for you and your pet.
5. Get a Permanent ID for Your Cat and Label the Carrier
Although your pet is less likely to get lost if he or she is traveling with you rather than in cargo, there is still a risk, especially since cats are sneaky, and quick and can act like they do not even know you when they experience stress.
Have your cat microchipped, label the harness, or put an ID collar on your pet. I always label my cat carrier as a precaution, although my cats travel in cabin.
6. One Must Be 18 to Travel With a Pet in Cabin
This is a standard rule for most airlines and, if applicable, countries: individuals younger than 18 years old are not allowed to travel with a pet without an adult.
7. No Pets in Cabin If You Are Also Traveling with an Infant
This is not necessarily true for every airline. However, most airlines do not allow bringing both an infant and a pet in cabin.
8. Avoid Feeding or Giving Water to Your Cat Four Hours Before Flight
A healthy animal that is not too young or too old should do just fine without food or water for several hours. Reducing the cat’s need to urinate and defecate will make it easier for you and your pet to get through the flight.
9. The Animal Should Be Older than 10 Months and Young/Healthy Enough to Tolerate the Flight
As an example, your cat should be able to tolerate hours without food and water, as discussed in the section above. A very young kitten or a very old cat with multiple health issues might have a hard time fasting for several hours. Some airlines allow kittens as young as 8 weeks but most ask that the animal is at least 10 weeks old.
Flat-faced cats could have breathing difficulties on board. Generally, cats with chronic health issues might have a reduced tolerance of the environment on the plane.
10. A Carrier Counts Toward Your Carry-on Bag Allowance
You should expect that you won’t be allowed to bring more than a personal item, in addition to your pet carrier. You might still be able to check bags, depending on your airline, but your cat in a carrier will count as your carry-on baggage.
11. No Pets in Business Class
We are not aware of any airlines that allow pets in cabin in the business class section. You and your kitty have to travel in coach.
12. A Mama Cat with Unweaned Litter Is Usually Allowed in Cabin
Even if an airline states that only one cat is allowed per passenger, it is worth checking if they will accept a mama cat with unweaned litter. Most airlines will consider the request but almost always the kittens have to be older than 8-10 weeks.
13. Fees Are Charged Separately for Each Way
When you consider the fees for bringing your cat on board, keep in mind that almost always you will have to pay separately for the trip back home.
14. Cat Must Be Well-Behaved
If the animal is noisy or disruptive in other ways during boarding, you might not be allowed to board. If the cat begins to make a lot of noise during the flight, the crew might have to move the carrier to another area. Whatever the team decides to do to correct the situation, it will not be a pleasant conversation for you.
15. The Cat Must Remain in the Carrier the Entire Time
Even a remarkably well-behaved cat has to stay in the carrier. You will not be able to hold your pet on your lap.
To Conclude
Traveling with a cat is a possible adventure but the first couple of times will require thorough preparation and research, mostly to make sure all the documentation is ready. It gets much easier over time.
It is good to make sure that your pet is at least familiar with the carrier ahead of time. Cats love to sit in boxes and containers in their familiar environment, so have your kitty explore the carrier well before they have to spend time in it when on board an airplane.
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