Are you looking to travel on a plane with your cat? Air travel in itself is stressful. Add to it the hassle of carrying a cat along with you. Even when you are allowed to fly with a cat on an airplane, you would need to abide by airline regulations. You should also ensure that your cat is comfortable on the flight.
Can I Fly on a Plane With My Cat?
Yes, you can bring your cat onto a flight. Most of the airlines permit you to take your cat on a plane. However, you should do your own homework and make a few preparations when flying with your cat.
One of the most important requirements would be to get a health certificate for a domestic journey. The certificate should not be older than ten days from the day of travel. The health certificate should include the details on the vaccinations. It should also stand a proof to the fact that the cat is at least eight weeks old and does not have any infectious diseases.
If your cat does not have an issue with staying in a pet carrier, is not averse to new places, and does not get annoyed when traveling, you can definitely travel with your cat.
How can your cat travel with you?
There are several ways that your cat can travel with you. It would largely depend on the airlines you choose and their rules governing pet travel. Under typical conditions, your cat can travel with you in the cabin, as a checked baggage or in the cargo hold of the plane.
In the cabin
Your cat can fly in the cabin with you. That should be quite a comfortable option for your cat as she will be with her guardian. This will also provide you a complete peace of mind as you can be sure your cat will be safer and is not mishandled.
Many airlines will allow you to carry the cat with you in the cabin for an extra fee. However, there are a few conditions that you should satisfy.
- You should reserve your option. Airlines limit the number of animals allowed in the cabin. Reserving well in advance will ensure that you can carry your cat with you.
- Your cat will count as your carry-on. That would mean it would be your et carry-on and will be a part of the entire luggage you can carry into the cabin. It should be checked as you would do with your other baggage.
- Your cat will travel in the cabin in a carrier under the seat. Your carry-on pet should fit in the place in front of you or under the seat.
As a cargo
The next best option to carry your cat on a plane is to carry her as part of the cargo. It will be carried in a special compartment below the deck. These compartments are pressurized and temperature controlled.
Not all airlines will allow the cat to be carried as part of the cargo. Some of the airlines will have special handling crews who take care of the animals carried as cargo.
However, we do not recommend this option. Many animals are reported to get killed, injured, or lost on commercial flights.
As an excess baggage
The third option is to carry the cat as an excess baggage. This should be akin to carrying it just as you would carry a packed suitcase. If you are a real cat lover, you would never be happy with this option under any condition.
The costs will be considerably lower in this mode. However, your cat will be treated nothing more than a baggage. Cats will be handled by the staff who do not have a proper training on how to handle the pet animals.
Tips to carry cat on a plane
Well, there are no restrictions on carrying a cat on a plane. But, it isn’t as easy as you would expect it to be. If you really want the experience comfortable for your cat or for you, you may need to pay enough attention to a few tips.
Stay updated with security requirements
You will need to remove the cat out of its carrier so that the bag can be checked with X-ray. You will need to carry your feline friend through the metal detectors. You may need to take care that your cat does not run away.
Use a soft-sided carrier
Airlines permit both hard sided and soft-sided carrier for your cat. However, it may be a good idea to use a sofft-sided one as it would help the animal stay cozy inside it.
Make the carrier safer and more comfortable for the kitty
Your cat will have to stay in the carrier all through the journey. That is why it is important to make it comfortable for your cat. Throw in a couple of blankets that it normally uses. Also keep a few of its toys inside the carrier, This make the kitty feel at home through the long hours.
Avoid feeding the cat before travel
Do not feed your cat the morning before the take off. Just like us humans, some cats may face the issues like vomiting and nausea. However, make sure that your cat remains well-hydrated.
Understand the pet policy of the airlines
It is important to have a proper understanding of the pet policies followed by the different airlines. You can check their websites for a clear idea of the pet policy followed by the different airlines.
Here is a list of links to some popular airlines that should be helpful for your specific needs-
| Allegiant Air | American Airlines | Alaska Airlines | Delta Airlines |
| Eastern Airlines | Frontier Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines | jetBlue |
| Southwest Airlines | Spirit Airlines | Sun Country Airlines | United Airlines |
In Conclusion
Well, if you are wondering how to take your cat on a plane, the tips and details shared above should help you understand the concept well enough. Traveling with your feline friend can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires careful planning and preparation.
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