Moving from sunny Southern California to the Midwest meant embracing a whole new world – one with actual winters! As someone who had never experienced temperatures below freezing, the change was quite a shock. To escape the winter blues, I planned a two-week trip back to the Los Angeles sunshine. But there was no way I was leaving my feline best friend, Leo, behind for that long. He’d been a champ during our cross-country move to Wisconsin, so I figured, why not bring him along? My mission was to make this flight as smooth and stress-free as possible for both of us. If you’re wondering “Can Cats Fly On Airlines?”, let me share my experience and some essential tips.
First things first, I needed to find airlines that welcome cats in the cabin. Southwest has always been my go-to, and with a pet fee that was more reasonable than others (just $95!), it was an easy choice. Pro-tip: Always call the airline to add your pet to your booking separately. You’ll pay the pet fee at the ticket counter on your travel day. I diligently checked Southwest’s pet policies and, as it turns out, most airlines have similar basic rules regarding carrier size (it must fit under the seat) and the types of pets allowed. The next crucial step was finding the perfect cat carrier – soft-sided for comfort and airline-compliant in size. After what felt like endless online searching, I landed on this travel carrier from Mr. Peanuts. It boasted an expandable side for extra room, secure self-locking zippers, and breathable mesh windows all around. To complete our travel kit, I also picked up some handy travel food and water bowls and absorbent potty pads from Mr. Peanuts.
Image alt text: Mr. Peanuts expandable pet carrier in grey color, designed for airline travel, featuring mesh windows, expandable side, and shoulder strap.
Now came the real challenge: making the carrier a positive space for Leo. As soon as the carrier arrived, I placed it near his food area. I wanted him to investigate it at his own pace, rewarding his curiosity with treats. Leaving the carrier out in our living space allowed him to become familiar with its sight and scent. Once he seemed relaxed around it, we started incorporating it into playtime. Leo is obsessed with fetch, so I began tossing his favorite toys into the carrier, turning it into a fun retrieval zone. The goal was to associate the carrier with good things – treats, play, positive interactions. Slowly but surely, I started finding him napping or playing with his toys inside the carrier all on his own – success! We kept up these carrier conditioning sessions for about a month leading up to our trip, ensuring he was truly comfortable with his travel den.
Packing for a Feline First-Class Flight
Remember, airlines count your pet carrier as one of your carry-on items, so smart packing is key. I prepped a separate rolling suitcase with all of Leo’s in-flight necessities:
- Extra Potty Pads: Accidents happen, especially with nervous travelers!
- Food and Treats: Keeping his routine somewhat normal and having his favorite Chef David Simply Minnows treats was important for comfort.
- Travel Food and Water Bowls: Collapsible silicone bowls are space-savers. I chose one that could clip to his carrier for easy access.
- Travel Litter Box: A portable litter box like The Porta-Pawty from Travel Cat Backpack is essential for longer journeys.
- Pet Wipes: For quick cleanups.
- Rescue Remedy: While vets often advise against sedating pets for flights, these natural stress relief drops seemed like a gentler option and had helped during our cross-country drive.
Image alt text: Grey Porta-Pawty portable litter box for cats, unfolded and ready for use, designed for travel convenience.
Leo, of course, “helped” with the packing process, which you can see in this fun video on Instagram.
Navigating Airport Security and Logistics with a Cat
Airport security with a pet adds a layer of complexity. The carrier has to go through the x-ray machine, meaning you’ll need to take your cat out of the carrier at TSA. To prepare for this, Leo was already accustomed to wearing a harness and leash. This was crucial – if he got spooked and tried to bolt, he wouldn’t get far. While Leo isn’t a fan of being held, he was surprisingly well-behaved during this part. However, just walking through the metal detector holding a cat isn’t the end of it! At both Milwaukee and LAX airports, TSA agents asked me to hold out my hands for explosive residue swabs while I was still holding a slightly nervous cat. It seemed a bit backwards to not allow me to secure him first, but apparently, it’s standard procedure. And then, to top it off, my suitcase was flagged for a search! Standing there watching them unpack my bag, the travel litter box definitely caused some confusion – clearly not an everyday item for them.
Once through security and at our gate, I headed to the family restrooms with Leo and his portable litter box, hoping he’d use it before boarding. We had a layover in Denver, and I repeated the bathroom break there. Unfortunately, Leo was too stressed to use his litter box either time, just pacing and meowing loudly. It was heartbreaking to see him so anxious. I gave him a few more drops of Rescue Remedy before our flight, hoping for some calming effect.
In-Flight with a Feline Passenger
Airline rules state that pet carriers must be safely stowed under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. However, being on an early morning, nearly empty flight had its perks. I took a chance and placed Leo’s carrier on the seat next to me. Thankfully, the flight attendants either didn’t notice or didn’t mind, which I was incredibly grateful for. He meowed a bit during takeoff but eventually settled down. Having him next to me allowed me to reach into the carrier and comfort him during turbulence. I think the landing was the most stressful part for him – that’s when he ended up urinating in his carrier (thank goodness for those potty pads and pet wipes!). While I usually sleep through flights, my concern for Leo kept me wide awake the entire journey. We arrived in LA tired, a little smelly, but safe and sound.
Lessons Learned: Is Airline Travel Right for Your Cat?
Flying with my adult cat for the first time was undeniably stressful – for both of us. While airports often have pet relief areas, they are much more dog-friendly than cat-suitable. The family restrooms became our makeshift pet relief zones. Despite not vocalizing his stress constantly, it was clear Leo was not enjoying the experience. The fact that he was so stressed he couldn’t use his litter box and ultimately had an accident in his carrier made me question my decision. In hindsight, I wonder if it was a bit selfish of me to put him through that just to have him with me for two weeks. For future trips, I will seriously consider investing in a trusted pet sitter. Being apart will be tough, but perhaps less stressful for both of us than repeating the air travel experience. Ultimately, Leo’s comfort and well-being are my top priorities. Sometimes you have to try things to know if they work for you and your furry companions. For Leo and me, flying together just isn’t the best option. Deciding what’s best is a personal choice, but hopefully, sharing our experience helps you consider all aspects when asking “can cats fly on airlines?” and if it’s the right choice for your feline friend.
