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15 Airlines That Allow Flying With Cats In Cabin [2023 Pet Policies]

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Traveling with our furry companions has become increasingly popular, and many airlines have recognized the importance of accommodating passengers’ beloved cats. Instead of leaving them behind or entrusting them to a pet sitter, more and more pet owners are seeking airlines that allow flying with cats in the cabin.

This article will explore several airlines that go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for both humans and their four-legged friends. From pet policies to cabin requirements, let’s dive into the top airlines that warmly welcome cats on board.

The following airlines allow flying with cats in cabin:

Aegean Airlines
Air Canada
Air Europa
Air France
Alaska Air
American Airlines
Delta
French Bee
JetBlue
Lufthansa
Southwest
TUI Fly
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Vueling

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

Which airlines allow flying with cats in cabin?

Aegean Airlines Pet Policy.

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 pet in cabin, carried within a special box/container

Visit Aegean’s website for more information.

Alaska Air Pet Policy.

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 Pet Policy.

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 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.

Air Europa Pet Policy.

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.

Air France Pet Policy.

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.

American Airlines Pet Policy.

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 Pet Policy.

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.

French Bee Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 43 x 35 x 20 cm (soft sided carriers only)
Cost: 50€ each way

Additional information:

Only one cat is allowed per customer, with a few exceptions.
Your cat must remain underneath the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Carriers must have leak-proof bottoms and be well ventilated.
Only one pet per carrier is permitted.
Cats are not permitted as carry-on in bulkhead seat, emergency row exists, mint seats and maxi leg seats.

For more info, head to French Bee’s website.

JetBlue Pet Policy.

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:

When flying with a cat in cabin, they 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.

Lufthansa Pet Policy.

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.

Southwest Pet Policy.

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 pet carrier per person. Each pet carrier can have no more than two of the same species of small cats 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.

TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8kg / 17Ib including pets and carrier.
Maximum carrier size: 40 x 33 x 17 cm (soft sided carriers only)
Cost: cost varies – check here
International: yes

Additional Information:

Passengers traveling with pets in the cabin may select seats that are not located in rows with emergency exit doors or infant stroller apparatus.
Cats are not permitted to be carried in Executive Class on long haul flights.
More than one cat is permitted per carrier, as long as the weight doesn’t exceed 8kg.
Your cat must remain in the carrier, underneath the seat in front of you.
Carriers must have leak-proof bottoms and be lined with an absorbant material.
Carriers must be bite proof and be well ventilated.
You are not able to fly cats into the UK.
Pregnant cats, and kittens under 10 weeks old are not permitted on Tap Air flights.

Visit TAP Air’s website for more info.

TUI Fly Pet Policy.

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.

Turkish Airlines Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8kg, including pets and carrier.
Maximum carrier size: 23 x 30 cm x 40 cm
Cost: check here
International: depends on flight

Additional information:

Cats are not permitted to travel with unaccompanied minors.
Customers can purchase an additional ticket for their trip in order to carry on an additional cat. The cat must remain on the floor underneath the additional seat.
Two small cats are permitted per carrier, as long as the weight doesn’t exceed 8kg.
Both soft-sided and hard-sided carriers are permitted.
Your cat must remain in the carrier, underneath the seat in front of you.
Carriers must have leak-proof bottoms and be lined with an absorbant material.
Carriers must be bite proof and be well ventilated.
Pregnant cats or kittens under 10 weeks old are not permitted on Turkish Airlines flights.

Visit Turkish Airlines’ website for more info.

United Airlines Pet Policy.

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.

Vueling Pet Policy.

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.

Rules and regulations for airlines that allow flying with cats in cabin.

The rules and regulations for flying with cats in cabin vary between airlines, however generally they state the following:

1. Cats must be no more than 11 inches tall and 18 inches long.

As stated above, airlines generally require that your cat can fit comfortably in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you during the flight. Although the carrier requirements vary between airlines, this usually means that your cat cannot be more than 11 inches tall or 18 inches long.

2. Cats must usually weigh less than 9kg / 20 pounds.

Most airlines state that cats and their carrier combined, weigh no more than 9kg or 20 pounds.

This does vary slightly between airlines. For example, American Airlines requires that the combined weight of your pet and the carrier cannot be more than 9kg at the time of check in. On the other hand, Air Europa have a limit of 8kg. Delta and Southwest have no limit on the weight, however they state that cats must fit comfortably in their carrier, under the seat in front of you.

3. Cats must stay in their travel carriers at all times.

Generally, you are not permitted to take your cat out of their kennel in the airport or whilst boarded the plane. This does mean no potty breaks, so make sure your cat goes to the toilet before entering the airport.

With that said, some airports have specific areas designated for pets to stretch their legs and go potty.

4. Cats must be at least 10 weeks old.

In order to travel domestically, cats must generally be at least 10 weeks old. If you are traveling internationally, your cat must generally be at least 16 weeks old.

5. Only one pet per kennel.

Only one pet is allowed per kennel except in the following conditions:

One female cat is traveling with her unweaned litter of kittens who are between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months. There is no limit on the number of puppies in the litter so long as the weight limits are not exceeded.
2 pets of the same breed and size between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months may share a kennel.

6. You must have all the required documentation.

The documents required to fly with cats in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to. If you are flying domestically, some airlines do not require any documentation. Southwest, for example. However, other airlines require your pet’s health book. Aegean Air, for example.

We will go into these requirements in more detail below.

7. You must be over 18 years old.

An unaccompanied minor may not bring a pet in the cabin with them.

8. Cats must be well behaved.

A pet that shows disruptive behavior may be denied boarding. Examples of disruptive behavior include (but are not limited to):

Scratching, excessive whining or meowing
Growling, biting, lunging
Urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area

How to prepare when flying with cats in cabin.

1. Select an appropriate, cabin-approved travel carrier.

As mentioned above, different airlines and aircrafts have different size restrictions for carriers. When flying with a cat in cabin, be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.

For example, Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types.

We would recommend using a soft sided carrier as they usually give your cat more space.

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

When flying with cats in cabin, they will need to stay in its travel carrier for the duration of the journey. So, it’s very important that you spend some time to get your cat used to its travel carrier.

When first introducing your cat to its carrier, take it slow. Lure your cat into their carrier with plenty of treats, and let him/her play and sleep in there as much as possible. You want to avoid forcing your cat into the carrier as this may stress him or her out and may cause a negative association to the carrier.

3. Exhaust your cat before the flight.

4. 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.

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 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.

7. Bring along your cat’s favourite comforts.

To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your cat’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel carrier with them. If your cat suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.

Documents required when flying with cats in-cabin.

The documents required when flying with cats 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.

a) Microchip.

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

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

b) Rabies vaccinations.

When flying with cats in cabin, 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 when flying with cats in cabin.

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 cats in 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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0 13 minutes read

15 Airlines That Allow Flying With Cats In Cabin [2023 Pet Policies]