Flying with cats for the first time can feel overwhelming. Recently, I flew across half the country with my two cats, Marley and Pumpkin. Here’s exactly what happened—from choosing a carrier and going through TSA to finally getting settled on the plane.
After sharing the experience on Marley’s Instagram, I received so many messages from people who were planning to fly with their cats soon—and almost everyone had the same concern:
They were nervous.
Would their cat be scared? Would the carrier fit under the airplane seat? Would they have to take their cat out at TSA? What happens at check-in? What if the cat meows throughout the flight?
I had all of those same questions before our trip, so I wanted to share exactly what happened from beginning to end.
For this trip, we flew with Southwest Airlines.
Pet policies vary by airline, so if you're flying with another carrier, always check that airline’s official pet policy before traveling.
Quick Take: Flying With My Cats Was Easier Than I Expected
This was my first time flying with Marley and Pumpkin, and I was extremely nervous beforehand.
But once we actually went through the process, everything was much easier than I had imagined.
- Both pet carriers fit under the airplane seats.
- TSA was stressful, but manageable.
- Marley and Pumpkin stayed surprisingly calm.
- They barely meowed during the flight.
- The trip felt easier than our previous long-distance road trip.
Looking back, most of my anxiety came from simply not knowing what to expect.
If you're planning your first flight with a cat, I hope this experience gives you a clearer idea of what travel day may actually look like.
We Already Knew How Our Cats Handled Travel
About a month before this flight, I had taken Marley and Pumpkin on a long road trip.
That gave me a huge advantage.
I already knew how they behaved in carriers, cars, unfamiliar environments, and during long periods of travel. They had done really well on that trip, so I knew they weren’t the type of cats that immediately panic as soon as they are placed in a carrier.
That definitely helped calm some of my nerves before flying.
But if you’ve never traveled long-distance with your cat before, I completely understand why the experience can feel intimidating.
You simply don’t know how your cat is going to react until you do it.
Should You Give Your Cat a Sedative or CBD Before Flying?
This was one of the most common questions I received.
What About Sedatives?
Whether your cat needs medication for travel is something you should discuss with your veterinarian.
Every cat is different. Age, health, personality, anxiety levels, and previous travel experience can all affect how a cat responds to flying.
For Marley and Pumpkin, our veterinarian and I agreed that sedation probably wasn’t necessary. They had handled the previous month’s road trip extremely well, so I didn’t feel there was a reason to sedate them for the flight.
If your cat becomes extremely stressed while traveling or you're considering any type of sedative, talk to your veterinarian well before your trip.
What About CBD or Calming Products?
Some pet owners also consider CBD or other calming products before traveling.
Marley and Pumpkin did not use CBD for this trip, and I wouldn’t decide whether it is appropriate for your cat based solely on someone else’s experience.
If you're considering CBD, calming supplements, or a similar product, talk with your veterinarian first.
I also wouldn’t try something completely new for the first time on the morning of your flight.
How Do You Choose the Right Airline Pet Carrier?
Choosing the carrier was probably the part of this trip that made me the most nervous.
There’s an obvious challenge when choosing an airline cat carrier: your cat needs enough room to stay comfortable, but the carrier also needs to be compact enough to fit under the airplane seat in front of you.
Too small, and your cat may be uncomfortable.
Too large, and you risk arriving at the airport only to discover that the carrier won’t fit properly under the seat.
I ultimately chose the AtouPet Expandable Airline Pet Carrier .
AtouPet Expandable Airline Pet Carrier
A compact soft-sided travel carrier with dual-side expansion for cats and small dogs.
Breathable mesh, secure zipper loops, an internal safety tether and expandable side panels create a compact travel space with more room to rest when expansion is appropriate.
View Product Details →Why I Chose This Airline Pet Carrier
When fully closed, the carrier measures 43 × 28 × 25 cm (16.9 × 11 × 9.8 in).
Its compact profile was one of the main reasons I felt comfortable using it for air travel.
Once you're on the plane, the carrier needs to stay compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you, so having a relatively low-profile soft-sided carrier matters.
But what I liked most was that the carrier didn’t sacrifice all of the cat’s resting space just to stay compact.
Compact for the Flight, Expandable While Waiting
Both sides of the carrier can expand.
When boarding and during the flight, I kept both expansion sections completely closed so the carrier stayed in its compact travel configuration.
But while waiting at the airport, during a layover, or anywhere else it was safe and appropriate for the cats to rest, the sides could be opened to create significantly more space.
The carrier expands from 43 cm / 16.9 in to as much as 97 cm / 38.2 in.
That gave the cats more room to lie down, turn around, and change positions while we were waiting.
For long airport waits or connecting flights, that extra space can be much more practical than a traditional fixed-size pet carrier.
Of course, under-seat space can vary depending on the airline, aircraft, and specific seat. No matter which carrier you choose, always check your airline’s latest pet carrier requirements before flying.
Should You Put a Pee Pad Inside the Cat Carrier?
A lot of people asked me:
“Did you put a pee pad in the carrier?”
I didn’t.
But that decision was based entirely on knowing Marley and Pumpkin.
They are extremely consistent about using their litter box, and I honestly didn’t think they would go to the bathroom inside the carrier unless they had absolutely no other option.
That said, I know not every cat behaves like mine.
If you think your cat might have an accident when stressed, putting an absorbent pee pad in the bottom of the carrier is a very reasonable precaution.
Even if you never need it, having one there may give you some extra peace of mind.
Should You Withhold Food and Water Before Flying With a Cat?
This was another question I received a lot.
Several people told me they had heard that pets shouldn't eat or drink before flying.
I chose not to completely withhold food or water from Marley and Pumpkin.
For us, this wasn’t just a short flight. Our travel day included:
- An Uber ride to the airport
- Check-in
- TSA security
- Waiting at the gate
- The flight itself
- Another two-hour drive after landing
It was basically an all-day travel experience.
I didn’t want them to spend that entire time hungry.
I also know their normal eating and litter box habits very well, so I felt comfortable making that decision for them.
That was simply my personal choice based on my own cats.
Every cat is different.
If your cat gets motion sickness, vomits easily, has a medical condition, or follows a special feeding schedule, talk to your veterinarian about what makes sense before your trip.
How I Prepared to Fly With Cats on Southwest Airlines
Next came the actual pre-flight preparation.
Again, we were flying Southwest Airlines, so the process may be different if you're traveling with another airline.
1. Book the Flight
First, I booked our regular passenger tickets.
2. Contact the Airline About Traveling With Pets
After booking, I contacted Southwest and let them know we would be traveling with cats.
A big reason I called was simply because: I was nervous.
I wanted to make sure I understood what would happen and what we needed to do on travel day.
Even knowing that I had spoken with the airline made me feel much better.
If this is your first time flying with a cat, contacting the airline in advance may be helpful simply for peace of mind.
3. We Had One Traveler Responsible for Each Cat
I wasn’t traveling alone.
I was responsible for Marley, while a family member traveling with me was responsible for Pumpkin.
Having one person manage each cat definitely made the airport experience easier.
Taking an Uber to the Airport With Cats
This was something I somehow didn’t think about until the morning of our flight.
I had never taken an Uber with cats before.
After requesting the ride, I suddenly realized the driver had no idea we would be traveling with two cats in carriers.
So I called and let him know.
Fortunately, he was completely fine with it.
There are also Uber options in some areas specifically designed for riders traveling with pets.
If you plan to take a rideshare to the airport, I recommend confirming the pet situation before your driver arrives.
It’s one less thing to deal with on an already stressful travel day.
What Happens at the Airport When You Fly With a Cat?
Once we arrived at the airport, we went directly to the airline ticket counter.
That’s where we completed the necessary pet travel process and paid the pet fee.
At the time of our trip, we paid approximately $95 per cat.
After checking in, we headed toward TSA security.
What Is It Like Going Through TSA With a Cat?
This was the part I was most afraid of before the trip.
I kept imagining the same nightmare scenario:
I take my cat out of the carrier, she panics, escapes from my arms, and starts running through the airport.
That was genuinely one of my biggest fears.
We Originally Wanted a Private Screening Room
As we approached security, we told the TSA staff that we were traveling with two cats and asked about using a private screening area.
The idea of taking the cats out of their carriers inside an enclosed room made me feel much safer.
However, we were told that getting a private screening at that time could involve a significant wait.
We didn’t want to risk missing our flight, so we decided to go through the regular security process instead.
We Carried the Cats Through Security
When it was our turn, we took Marley and Pumpkin out of their carriers.
My mom held Pumpkin, and I held Marley.
We carried them through the screening area while the empty pet carriers were screened separately.
The staff also swabbed our hands as part of the security process.
Afterward, we put both cats safely back into their carriers.
It Was Much Easier Than I Expected
The biggest surprise was how calm both cats were.
The moment I took Marley out, I realized the situation probably wasn’t going to be nearly as bad as I had imagined.
If anything, I think both cats were a little overwhelmed by the unfamiliar airport environment, which actually made them stay very still in our arms.
They didn’t struggle.
They didn’t try to escape.
Within a few minutes, they were safely back inside their carriers.
This was the part of the trip I had feared most, and it ended up going incredibly smoothly.
Of course, you know your own cat better than anyone else.
If your cat is especially fearful, prone to struggling, or has a history of escaping, asking about a private screening area may be a better choice.
Waiting at the Gate With Cats
Once we were through security, the most stressful part was basically over.
We headed to the gate and waited for boarding.
This was another time when I appreciated having an expandable carrier.
When it was safe and appropriate, the expandable sides gave the cats more room to rest.
Before boarding, I simply closed the expansion panels again so the carrier returned to its compact travel size.
Did the Cat Carrier Fit Under the Airplane Seat?
This was the question I had been worrying about since the day I bought the carrier.
Even as I boarded the plane, part of me was still thinking:
But once we were on board, everything was fine.
The carriers fit under the seats in front of us, and the process was much easier than I expected.
After worrying about it for so long, actually putting the carrier under the seat took only a few seconds.
At least on our specific Southwest flight and in the seats we were using, the carrier worked without a problem.
How Did the Cats Behave During the Flight?
Much better than I expected.
For most of the flight, Marley and Pumpkin simply rested quietly inside their carriers.
They barely meowed.
There was no frantic scratching at the carrier and none of the chaos I had imagined in the weeks before the trip.
Once we were actually in the air and I realized they were doing well, I finally started to relax too.
What Was the Hardest Part About Flying With Cats?
Looking back, I think the hardest part was actually the anxiety before the trip.
When you’ve never done something before, your mind starts creating every possible worst-case scenario:
- What if the carrier is rejected?
- What if my cat escapes at security?
- What if my cat meows through the entire flight?
- What if the airline doesn’t let us board?
But once we started going through each step, I realized the process wasn’t nearly as complicated as I had imagined.
In the end, we made it safely from Los Angeles to Michigan.
Is Flying or Driving Better for Cats?
Based on my experiences traveling with Marley and Pumpkin, I actually found flying easier than a long-distance road trip.
The biggest reason was simply time.
The previous month, I had driven with them from Los Angeles to Michigan.
That was a two-day road trip.
They handled it extremely well, but it was still a much longer travel experience for both the cats and the humans.
Flying required more preparation and made me more nervous beforehand, but once the actual trip started, it was over much faster.
My Advice for Flying With a Cat for the First Time
If you're preparing to fly with your cat for the first time, the biggest thing I learned is:
Before your trip, I would focus on:
- Checking your airline’s current pet policy.
- Choosing an airline pet carrier that works for both your cat and the airline.
- Getting your cat comfortable with the carrier well before travel day.
- Deciding whether a pee pad makes sense for your cat.
- Talking to your veterinarian if you're considering sedatives, CBD, or other calming products.
- Understanding how airport security works with pets.
- Confirming that your rideshare or transportation accepts pets.
- Giving yourself plenty of extra time at the airport.
I really wish I had been able to read something like this before my first flight with Marley and Pumpkin.
I was so nervous beforehand.
But in the end, everything went smoothly.
And now that we’ve done it once, the idea of flying with them again feels much less intimidating.
Flying With Cats FAQ
Can Cats Fly in the Airplane Cabin With You?
Many U.S. airlines allow eligible small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners.
However, pet policies, carrier requirements, fees, and restrictions vary by airline.
Always check your airline’s current policy before traveling.
What Size Cat Carrier Do You Need for Air Travel?
You need to consider both your cat’s size and your airline’s under-seat carrier requirements.
Your cat needs an appropriately sized carrier, but the carrier also needs to fit in the required storage space during the flight.
Because actual under-seat space can vary depending on the aircraft and seat, don’t rely solely on a product being labeled “airline approved.”
Always compare the carrier dimensions with your airline’s current requirements.
Can You Expand an Expandable Pet Carrier During the Flight?
During my flight, I kept the carrier fully closed and stored under the seat in front of me.
The expandable sections were most useful while waiting at the airport or in other appropriate areas where the cats could safely have more room.
Before boarding, I closed the carrier back into its compact configuration.
Do You Have to Take Your Cat Out of the Carrier at TSA?
During my experience, I took my cat out of the carrier and carried her through security while the empty carrier was screened separately.
If you're worried about your cat escaping, ask TSA staff about private screening options when you arrive at the checkpoint.
Should You Feed Your Cat Before a Flight?
I did not completely withhold food or water from Marley and Pumpkin because our total travel day was very long and I knew their normal eating and bathroom habits well.
However, every cat is different.
If your cat has motion sickness, medical conditions, digestive problems, or special dietary needs, ask your veterinarian what feeding schedule makes sense before flying.
What Is the Most Important Thing to Do Before Flying With a Cat?
For me, the most important thing was simply knowing what to expect.
Understanding the airline rules, carrier requirements, airport security process, and travel-day routine made the whole experience much less stressful.
The more prepared I was, the less intimidating the trip felt.
