It is not unusual for a cat exhibitor to fly to a cat show, preferring to travel with the cat in the cabin of the airplane rather than having it fly in cargo.
Most airlines require that pets traveling in the cabin have a reservation and pay a ticket fee. This not only allows the airline to charge for the cat's travel, but also ensures that no more than the maximum number of pets are booked on any single flight.
The number of pets traveling in cabin differs for each airline but typically varies between two (Delta) and seven (American Airlines) pets in the main cabin.
Passengers traveling with pets must check-in at the ticket counter. At this time, curbside or self-service check-in is not allowed.
Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin. Most airlines allow a kennel to contain two (2) cats but they must be the same species, ages between 8-weeks and 6-months, and weigh less than 20 lbs.
With the current ballooning of gas and oil prices, don't be surprised if pet airfares also are on the rise. On July 15, 2008, Continental Airlines increased its in cabin airfare from $95 to $125, one way.
Current fees for pets traveling in cabin for major airlines are listed in the table below: Happy Flying!
|
Airline |
Pet in cabin - one way |
Airtran |
$69 |
Alaska |
$100 |
American |
$100 |
Continental |
$125 |
Delta |
$100 |
Frontier |
$100 |
Jet Blue |
$100 |
Northwest |
$80 |
Spirit |
$85 |
Southwest |
Not allowed |
United |
$100 |
US Airways |
$100 |
