<p>We are moving to another state – and we have three cats that we will have to get there somehow. We are having our cars moved by the moving company, and will be flying to our new location in a couple of weeks. Does anyone have any experience flying cats? They are kind of big – not sure if they would fit in under the seat carriers. Tks!</p>
<p>The airlines’ regulations for pets are different depending on whether you’re accompanying the animals on the same flight(s), in which case they’d be considered baggage; or sending them unaccompanied, in which case they’re considered freight. </p>
<p>If you’re flying with the cats, baggage compartments are pressurized and temperature regulated and can accommodate pets. Each airline has very specific guidelines, so you’ll want to check with the airlines you’re considering using. This time of year I’d want to select a nonstop flight if possible and avoid flights that have poor on-time records or lay-overs in hot climates, since it’s possible the carriers would be off-loaded during baggage services at interim stops. </p>
<p>My choice would be to use standard size carriers and have the cats travel in baggage rather than under the seat even if it’s an available option. I don’t think my presence would provide enough comfort to offset the physical discomfort of a shrunken carrier. I’d also worry about smells and sounds disturbing other passengers.</p>
<p>Shipping an animal as freight is much more complicated and has more stringent requirements than sending an animal as baggage (and traveling with him or her), (at least for international travel) so be sure you’re looking at the correct guidelines. Good luck.</p>
<p>We took my Dh’s kitty from the east coast to the west coast. We used a cat carrier that we could put under the seat. Be warned that you have to take the cat out of the carrier to go through security.
We were lucky to get a TSA person who also had a Tuxedo cat that looked a lot like ours. (She showed us pictures from her iphone.) But the kitty was not very happy, although he came through it just fine, was quiet during the flight and didn’t cause any problems.
With three, I don’t see how you could take them on board with you- it would just be too much. I also know that airlines have a restriction on the number of pets in the cabin at once.</p>
<p>Contact the airline you will be flying on. There are specifications for the carriers. We are shipping a kitty (with a friend) and the carrier needed metal brackets not plastic. Our kitty is taking a very long trip. Check to see what happens if you have a layover/connecting flights. I believe most airlines have a limit on the number of pets allowed in the passenger compartment per flight. </p>
<p>Call your airline. They will tell you their procedure.</p>
<p>We flew three cats during our relo in 2003. Most (if not all) airlines have restrictions on what times of year they will let animals fly in baggage due to heat. If you’re truly flying “in a few weeks” then that might not even be an option. </p>
<p>Here’s Southwest’s in-cabin pet rules: [Pets[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Here’s Continental’s in-cabin and cargo travel rules: [url=<a href=“http://www.pettravel.com/airline_pet_rules/continental.cfm]Pet”>Continental Airlines pet policy - Fly Your Dog or Cat Safely]Pet</a> Policy Continental Airlines - Continental Airlines Pets - Fly with a Dog or Cat - Pet Travel](<a href=“http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/pets/index-pol.html]Pets[/url”>Southwest Airlines)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I would be more comfortable having them fly in the cabin with me. I’d also check with your vet about a sedative so that it’s an easier flight for everyone.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Yep, that and a toy poodle. Both flew underseat.</p>
<p>Thanks. I am going to try to get to Southwest Airlines tomorrow and see if the biggest one fits in one of their under the seat carriers. If not, the cats will have to fly a different airline because Southwest only takes them if they can fit under the seat. There are five/six of us flying, so we may be able to book a couple of different flights. It’s so crazy. I’ve suggested trying to find homes for a couple of them here in California, but the girls wail when I suggest such a thing. We got two of them about a year ago. I would definitely like to give them a sedative – I think they will be very anxious kitties!</p>
<p>RobD sent you a link for Southwest’s pet policy. I will tell you that they will only allow you to accompany your cat’s under the seat in front of you. Since you have 3 of them, you may need a family member to help accompany 1 while you take 2 and put them in the same carrier. I believe they charge $75 per carrier but it may be $75 per cat. Since I only have 1 cat, I don’t recall if the charge is per cat or per carrier. Make sure that the carrier fits within the specs that each airline posts, since planes have different sized underseat compartments if they require your pets to travel in the cabin.</p>
<p>I flew with our cat on Southwest from Chicago to San Diego and it went well, especially considering she is 16 years old. We had a soft sided (Sherpa) carrier which was technically higher than their requirement but it squashed down and fit. She is only about 8 pounds and seemed to have room to move around a bit, but not sure if she could stand all the way up. After we took off I pulled it out most of the way so only the back was squished, then stuck it back under for landing.</p>
<p>I love how SW says the carrier has to fit in a 8.5" high space but the animal has to be able to stand up. One or the other, guys!</p>
<p>In terms of number of pets on a Southwest plane, when I called ahead to reserve her space the agent said they don’t really limit the number. I guess they want to have that in writing just in case they need to enforce it. Also Southwest does not require a health certificate like some airlines.</p>
<p>Rather than a sedative, consider a calming spray for the carriers. I used Feliway and I don’t know if it helped but Tabby held up very well. I kept a harness and leash on her the entire time, which was very helpful going through security. The TSA agent gave me a hand when Tabby clung to her carrier with her claws; he helped detach her so I could carry her through, and passed the carrier right back to me. They don’t want a loose cat either! I also put my name and cell phone number on the harness.</p>
<p>If you do fly with your cats, I suggest packing a disposable litter box in a carry on bag, along with an extra towel (in case the cat soils the carrier liner). Cats can go 8 or so hours, but with all the chances of delays etc. better safe than sorry - can’t take the cat out for a potty walk! If you end up stuck in an airport you can take the cat into a rest room and give it a chance to go. But keep the harness on!</p>
<p>There’s a ton of advice on city-data dot com in the pet forums. That’s where I got all my advice (well, from the vet too).</p>
<p>^I had a cat that could be taken out like a dog lol.</p>
<p>You can also check out a pets-only airline: [Pet</a> Transportation, Travel, Shipping and Relocation by Pet Airways | <b>We fly pets. We transport your dog or cat in our main cabin.</b><br>For Pet Travel, Pet Shipping, Pet Relocation<br> or moving your pet, choose Pet Airways](<a href=“http://www.petairways.com/]Pet”>http://www.petairways.com/)</p>
<p>Thank you – I hope Southwest works out, we’ll see. And thanks for the info on the Pet Airline. It looks like it doesn’t serve the our area(s), but what a cool idea!</p>
<p>Southwest will also sell you THEIR cat carriers for $45 each (supplies limited, purchase in advance?). That way, you know they will not reject your carrier for non-conformance for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Be sure to call soon and reserve your pet on Southwest. They limit the number of pets allowed on each flight.</p>
<p>We used Continental’s PetSafe program to fly two large cats across country last year and was great! Lots of research and angst before we chose them. Our two cats far too big to fit under seats. The PetSafe folks worked with us to find shortest route for cats, ensured they would be in a/c at all times (was August), and we’re stringent about food and water requirements - in a good way. My husband put them on the plane in Boston and I picked them up less than 10 hours later in Phoenix. By far the least stressful and shortest plan we could make for them </p>
<p>Note that the cats can NOT be sedated - airline and our vet both agreed on that. Vet documentation required for flying. Cats must be in separate containers for their safety. </p>
<p>This was hardest part of our move but worked out very well for all. Good luck!</p>
<p>We flew 2 dogs back and forth across the Atlantic a number of years ago. It was very worrisome. Some dogs seem to do well, others are terrified. Sedation is a very iffy proposition, since it can affect animals differently and can suppress respiration.</p>
<p>If I had three cats to transport, I think I’d drive one of the cars. Seriously.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine driving 2000 miles with three cats. But I’m not one for driving 2000 miles without cats either, so there you go. Anyway, the cats now have reservations on Southwest Airlines. The vet is going to give us some valium to try before we fly. And a spray for the pet carriers. Wish us luck! Poor kitties. They are not going to be very happy about this.</p>
<p>Several weeks ago we moved from south Orange County CA up to Walnut Creek. We drove with our cat in a carrier. Traffic was a nightmare and, making matters worse, there was a lane closure on I-5. It took us over 9 hours. I’m guessing your total driving to airport, waiting at airport, actual flying time, and traveling from airport to destination will not exceed 7 hours, assuming a non-stop flight. My cat meowed on and off the whole time in between naps. Once we arrived at our destination, she was back to her old bossy self again within 30 minutes. As for me… I have a bad back and it took me 3 days to recuperate from sitting so long.</p>
<p>mstee, DD’s vet also had her start putting her dog in the carrier at her feet while she was home watching TV so he would get used to being in it while she was there. After that he settled right in when he went under the seat and “rested” at her feet.</p>
<p>mstee, my cat was relatively calm during my flight. She seemed to feel better on the plane than in the airport. The warmth and vibration helped, I think. And there’s enough noise that her occasional meows were not disruptive to the person next to me. It all went much smoother than I had expected. Allow lots of extra time for check in since you will have to go the regular line to check in animals (I normally go to the pre-printed boarding pass line so that other line was a rude awakening.) Offer them water (probably won’t be interested but dehydration is an issue for both humans and pets on airplanes). I let Tabby lick some water off my finger.</p>
<p>We flew her out to San Diego, but drove her back to Chicago two months later. She preferred flying for one day to driving for three days. As did we. Just finding affordable pet-friendly hotels along our route was an adventure (we sneaked her into one place rather than pay $100 pet fee).</p>