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13 Airlines That Allow Flying With a Cat In-Cabin [2023 Prices & Policies]

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Flying with cats in-cabin isn’t uncommon nowadays as many airlines now allow cats to travel in-cabin with their owners.

So, if you’re planning on relocating, or are going on holiday, you don’t need to leave your furry friend behind! Additionally, you don’t need to worry about your cat flying in the hold of the plane all alone.

The following airlines allow flying with cats in-cabin:

Alaska Air
Air Canada
American Airlines
Delta
JetBlue
Southwest
United Airlines
Air France
Air Europa
Vueling
Aegean Airlines
TUI
Lufthansa

Different airlines have different prices* and policies, which we will list for you in this article.

* Please note many airlines have additional carry-on pet charges that you must pay upon check-in at the airport.

Alaska Air

Maximum weight: 9kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 43 x 28 x 24 cm (soft) / 43 x 28 x 19 cm (hard)
Cost: 100 USD each way
International: Yes

Additional information:

A customer may travel with a maximum of 2 cat carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.
Up to 2 cats may travel in the same carrier, provided no body parts protrude from the carrier and the animals are not in distress.

Visit Alaska Air’s website for more information.

Air Canada

Maximum weight:9kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 27 x 40 x 55 cm (soft-sided crate) & 23 x 40 x 55 cm (hard-sided crate)
Cost: 50 USD within Canada & USA and 100 USD international
International allowed: Yes

Additional information:

Your cat in its carrier will count as one standard item toward your carry-on baggage allowance.
Only one cat or small dog per passenger.
Your cat must remain under your seat at all times.
Your cat cannot travel with you if you:
- - Are an unaccompanied minor
  - Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
  - Require use of a medical device that will be stowed under the seat
  - Are travelling in Premium Economy

For more info, visit Air Canada’s website.

American Airlines

Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: depends on flight
Cost: 125 USD each way
International: Yes, but no in-cabin pets on transatlantic flights or flights longer than 12 hours

Additional information:

Due to the lack of under-seat storage space, carry-on pets are not permitted in First or Business on certain planes (check link below).

For more info on additional restrictions, visit AA’s website.

Delta

Maximum weight: No limit, but pet must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
Maximum carrier size: depends on flight (check the under-seat dimensions on your aircraft here).
Cost: 125 USD within North America and 200 USD international
International: Yes

Additional information:

The kennel must fit under the seat directly in front of you.
The kennel must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least two sides.
Your cat must remain inside the kennel while in a Delta boarding area, a Delta airport lounge and while onboard the aircraft.

For more info on additional restrictions, visit Delta’s website.

JetBlue

Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 43 x 31 x 21 cm
Cost: 100 USD each way
International: Yes

Additional information:

Your cat must remain inside its closed/zipped up carrier at at all times.
Your cat must remain underneath the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Only one cat is allowed per customer, with a few exceptions.

For more info, head to JetBlue’s website.

Southwest

Maximum weight: No limit, but must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
Maximum carrier size: 43 x 34 x 21 cm
Cost: 95 USD each way
International: No (with the exception of trained assistance and emotional support animals, though no animals allowed to/from Jamaica)

Additional information:

Customers will be permitted to travel with no more than one (1) pet carrier per person. Each pet carrier can have no more than two (2) of the same species of small cats or dogs per pet carrier.
The cat carrier will count either as the Customer’s carryon bag or personal item.
Cats must be secured in the pet carrier at all times.

For more info, visit Southwest’s website.

United Airlines

Maximum weight: No limit, but must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 28 cm (soft-sided) / 44 x 30 x 19 cm (hard-sided)
Cost: 125 USD (+ 125 USD service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside the U.S)
International: depends on flight (contact the United customer-contact center for info on specific flights)

Additional information:

Pets are not permitted on flights to, from or through Australia, Hawaii or Micronesia.
Pets are not permitted to travel with unaccompanied minors.
Customers can purchase an additional ticket for their trip in order to carry on an additional pet.

Visit United’s website for more info.

Air France

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 24 cm
Cost: 40 EUR domestic and 30-125 EUR international
International: Yes, but note that this airline does not accept pets in the business cabin on intercontinental flights.

Additional information:

Under no circumstances may your animal leave its travel bag during the flight.
Only 1 animal is permitted per container.
Each passenger may travel with only 1 animal.

For more info, visit Air France’s website.

Air Europa

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 35 x 25 cm
Cost: 55 USD within Europe and 165 USD long-haul
International: Yes

Additional information:

Prices subjects to possible surcharges for taxes in certain countries.
You must arrive at the airport early enough to complete the necessary paperwork.

Visit Air Europa’s website for more information.

Vueling

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 45 x 39 x 21 cm (soft-sided crates only)
Cost: 40 EUR domestic and 50 EUR international
International: Yes

Additional information:

You must store the pet carrier with your pet inside on the floor, between your legs or under the seat in front.
You must not take your pet out of the pet carrier until you have disembarked.

Visit Vueling’s website for more information.

Aegean Airlines

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
Cost: 20-30 EUR domestic and 50-60 EUR international (prices differ depending on time of year)
International: Yes

Additional information:

In case you are travelling with an infant, you are not allowed to travel with a pet in cabin as well.
Each passenger is allowed to travel with only one (1) pet in cabin, carried within a special box/container

Visit Aegean’s website for more information.

TUI

Maximum weight: 6kg / 13.2 pounds (excluding carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (soft-sided crates only)
Cost: 47.60 EUR domestic and 40 EUR international
International: Yes

Additional information:

Your cat’s head must not protrude from the transport container and the animal must not leave the container during the flight.
All cats must be fitted with a microchip and have the blue EU animal passport, confirming an up-to-date vaccination against rabies.

Visit TUI’s website for more information.

Lufthansa

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
Cost: 50 EUR domestic, 60 international within Europe and 80-110 international outside Europe
International: Yes

Additional information:

Each passenger is allowed to take a maximum of two animals with them.
You must complete this form before boarding your flight.

Visit Lufthansa’s website for more information.

Travel Tips for Taking Cats In-Cabin

1. Train your cat to stay calm.

Your cat will need to stay calm on the flight otherwise they risk being sent into the cargo area of the plane. Being obedient to orders is a requirement when taking emotional support animals on international flights.

2. Exhaust your cat before the flight.

3. Limit access to food and water before the flight.

Additionally, some animals may experience motion sickness if they eat just before a flight. If you are flying in the morning, then feed them the night before.

Air Canada suggest feeding your cat four to six hours prior to departure, as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.

4. Get your cat used to it’s travel carrier.

You want to ensure that the journey is as stress-free as possible for your cat.

If you are using a carrier, let your cat get used to it, so that they feel a little at home in there. Lure your cat into their carrier with plenty of treats, and let him/her play and sleep in there as much as possible.

In addition, pop some of their favourite toys in their travel home, for extra comfort.

5. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.

6. Try to leash train your cat.

Although it isn’t usual for cats to wear harnesses and walk on a leash, in order to fly with cats in cabin they may need to be harnessed and leashed. It’s important to take time to leash train your cat before your flight, to minimise stress.

Most of the time your cat will be required to remain in their carrier, at the airport and on the plane. However, when passing through security and customs you may need to take your cat out of the carrier.

Additionally, most airports have pet relief areas for cats and dogs to stretch their legs and go to the toilet.

Spend some time getting your cat used to walking on a lead at home. We recommend simply letting your cat wear a harness around the house for a while, before getting them to walk on a lead. That way they can get used to the feeling of wearing a harness.

Documents required to Fly with Cats In-Cabin

The documents required to fly with a cat in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to. Generally you will require the following:

Microchip certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate
Animal health certificate
Additional vaccination certificates
Rabies titer test results
Parasite treatment certificate

This is just a guide on what is required, please check the requirements for your specific airline and destination country.

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a) Microchip.

Your cat can get microchipped at your local vet or a charity, such as RSPCA.

Not only is it a requirement when traveling with cat, it is in your best interest. If your cat was to go missing whilst abroad, then you are far more likely to be reunited.

Get your cat microchipped BEFORE getting his/her rabies vaccinations. They will not be valid if microchipped after.

b) Rabies vaccinations.

If you want your take cats on flights, it is likely that he/she requires a valid rabies vaccination. Particularly if you are taking your cat on an international flight as this is a requirement for entering most countries.

Most countries require cats to have their rabies vaccination between 30 days and 12 months prior to importing.

You can get your pet’s rabies vaccination at your local vet, alternatively some charities offer this service for free or for a discounted price.

c) Animal health certificate.

Most airlines will require an official animal health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian in order to export and import dogs.

In most cases, your health certificate will also need to be endorsed by the country’s authority responsible for the import and export of animals. For example, if you are traveling from the US, you will need your documents endorsed by the USDA. If you are traveling from Canada, you will need to have your documents endorsed by CFIA.

They are normally valid for 10 days.

d) Additional vaccinations.

Depending on where you are flying to, your cat may also require additional vaccinations or treatments.

e) Rabies titer test.

Some countries require pets to have a rabies titer test before entering. This is usually the case when you are traveling from a country that is considered high risk for rabies.

If your cat requires a titer test the process is as follows:

Your pet will have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
Your vet will then send the blood sample to an approved blood testing laboratory.
Your pet’s blood test results must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.
The vet will give you a copy of the test results.

f) Parasite treatment.

To enter some countries, cats are required to be treated against internal and/or external parasites before entering. This includes treatment for fleas, ticks, nematodes and cestodes.

Conclusion

Flying with your cat in the cabin is possible when flying with the airlines listed above.

Please note that airlines usually have different rules for different aircrafts, routes and destination countries. Additionally, most airlines have a restriction on the number of pets they allow per aircraft, so make sure you check availability before booking.

Always double check individual airline policies before booking as these can change.

Hope you have found this helpful.

Happy travels!

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