Has anyone been on a plane with their cat in the cabin before?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I am flying with the cat (relocating) in a couple of weeks. He is booked into the cabin and I am getting a soft carrier to put him in. I am very stressed about it, but he is likely to be stoic and sleep for the journey. But I am worried about going through security with him - presumably I have to take him out of his carrier so that it can go through the x ray? He has had his jabs and will go to the vet for his health certificate the day before he flies, so that is all good. I am hoping that there will be a spare seat next to me so that I can talk to him.

I wouldn't dream of having to inform the airline of a cat allergy as it wouldn't occur to me that people would be taking cats in the cabin. Have never seen this on any flights I've been on.

I don't think most people know that they're there, unless you observe the person getting on the plane and loading the carrier under the seat.

It would just look like a hold-all to most people. Possibly one making a cross miaowing noise.

It really is very common in Europe. Last time I flew back to London I saw three cats and a dog in the airport.

I did it from London to Boston.

They made me take him out and hold him in Heathrow, he was pretty scared. 

I got a really strong dose of Valium from the vet and it knocked him out for the whole time.

I declared him in Boston and they were "whyvhabe you bothered to declare him? Did you bring cat food? Go away.' Didn't even look at him.

He went in front of me on the plane in a sleepy pod. Amazing things!!

MrsSchadenfreude - I was an expat for years and have flown many many times. I have seen people with animals in airports and kept a close eye on whether or not they were my flight! So far so good.

Lived in Eastern Europe for ten years. Have never seen an animal on my flight. At least not in the cabin.

I’m not sure where I’d get complaining either but I definitely would. A bit like people who request nut free flights. I would be pointing out that I really don’t want an asthma attack due to being in a confined space with a cat.

Never seen a cat in the cabin - but I'd be the passenger saying 'go on let s/he out so I can have snuggles'. On all future flights I will bring ham, chicken and tuna and patrol the plane saying 'HERE KITTY, KITTY, KITTY!! PUSS, PUSS, PUSS".

I wouldn't dream of having to inform the airline of a cat allergy as it wouldn't occur to me that people would be taking cats in the cabin. Have never seen this on any flights I've been on

If your allergy is so severe how do you ensure the flight is cat free? Even if there isn’t an actual animal on board a high percentage of passengers will have recently been in contact with a cat, have cat hair, saliva etc on them. My cat gets in my travel bag the minute I get it out.

Friends Dd has a nut allergy. They do notify the plane and an announcement is made before boarding for all passengers to bin any nut products, and again on the plane before take off. With recirculating air even if the nuts are at the opposite end of the plane the allergens are spread throughout.

Flying an animal in the hold costs hundreds of pounds. Taking them in the cabin is much, much cheaper, although quarantine laws mean you can only do this on the outbound flight.

Lufthansa allows it. Costs 50€/£50 per flight I believe.

Peridot1 - I've also spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe! I think most of the time you wouldn't know if there was an animal on the plane. I've come off flights and seen people who were on the flight with me, with a dog or cat in a bag, waiting at the baggage carousel.

I am hoping this will be less stressful for the cat, rather than being removed from home the day before, being kept overnight at a cattery near the airport and then put in the hold the next day and having to be put through the cargo area at the other end before collecting him.

Don't put him in the hold! It's so cruel.

And don't let them tell you to put him in the overhead bin. An airline did this with a women's dog recently and she opened it up when landed and it was dead. 

I have seen people with animals in airports and kept a close eye on whether or not they were my flight! So far so good.

Bollocks. There's no way you've checked every passenger on the plane. What do you, stand with the gate agents and check each person as they go through?

Gosh me too...very allergic to cats. Would have massive asthma attack. Why is that allowed?

What a great idea, especially if emigrating. So much kinder to the animal than being put in the hold. Well done you for researching it!

Those of us who are violently allergic to cats would know there was one on the plane. The wheezing to the point of struggling to breath, sneezing and steaming eyes would be a bit of a giveaway.

How utterly selfish. Cat allergies aren't exactly unusual.

I know it's not your question but a lot of the middle Eastern airlines allow passengers to carry on one falcon. I would love to see someone sat with a falcon! Once on a train in Italy someone had a ferret sat in their shoulder being fed treats.

I hope none of you with cat allergies never sit next to me, I'm usually covered in cat fur as he moulds at an amazing rate!

Of course pets are allowed on a lot of flights. And while it may be irritating to some, that doesn't mean anyot is selfish for doing it.

Me too Pink!

So PiperPublickOccurences what would you do if you were sat next to me and you noticed the fur on my clothes?

Sneeze, wheeze and glare, I would imagine.

My friend travels every summer with her chiuaua (excuse typo) in the cabin. What I can't understand is how does a carrier fit under the seat? Any airline I've flown with has very l i.tied space. Also do budget airlines in the UK allow this?

I would wheeze and sneeze for sure. And wonder why you hadn't de-haired yourself.

Because it's next to impossible to get rid of all the fur and the chances are I'd have given him a cuddle as we were leaving.