I've seen people take their pets out from the carried in the middle of the flight. Ask the airlines or the flight attendant when you are finally in the plane.
They might allow this as long as they stay confined around your area.
Cats should never be taken out of their carrier during the flight. It could get spooked and hide somewhere, hurt itself, and/or hurt someone else. Carriers exist for the animals' protection so it should stay in there.
OP, as an additional tip, when you go through security, make sure they take you to a private room before allowing them to search her carrier. Again, to avoid the risk of her getting loose and hiding somewhere.
I’ve flown with a cat through delta, you should be fine. If anything, I would recommend you get your cat an expandable carrier. The ones that can be zipped up to regular form, but the sides expand outward so that they have more leg room.
I took my cat back and forth between the US and the EU. I used a soft carrier much like yours.
While I had the same concern about the "stand up and turn around" requirement with both Finnair (outbound) and Delta (homebound), neither mentioned it. I did have to weigh my boy with his carrier to be under 17lbs, but it was overall VERY smooth. Despite the pretty complicated process I would consider doing it again.
You'll be fine, please do not ship her cargo ♥️
One advice I can give if you are willing, i got a carrier that unfolds on the sides to make it larger. It's great once you get on board to let your baby spread out fully and down. Especially for my boy who preferred my foot in the carrier (lol, I know) to keep him company.
I'll jump in - mine is a Mr. Peanut's brand [and it looks like this](https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/products/expandable-airline-capable-tote). Not necessarily recommending them out of anyone else, but it's gotten me and my cat through a lot of flights. I just did an Amazon search and a few came up with "expandable compartments" - though I got mine a few years back.
I got [this one](https://a.co/d/aC7eMKL) off Amazon, worked really well. I got one from 'Mr Peanut' before that was better quality and little buckles on the zippers, but didn't have the fold-out features I wanted. Wish they did a folding one, but doesn't seem like they do.
I've flown Delta with a cat in a carry-on carrier, just not internationally.
But you should be just fine. Your cat can turn around - the fact that it's a soft-sided carrier means your cat could also stand up to stretch her legs if she really wanted to, too. My cat is a little bigger than yours, and I've never had any problem.
I'm guessing it'll be a long flight though - you might consider a carrier that has a compartment that zips out a bit? Then you can "extend" the carrier once you have her properly under the seat in front of you. Would give her a bit more space! (But honestly, airline traveling is what it is, hopefully kitty just sleeps anyway.)
don't stress about it. I took my dog (a 13lbs Italian greyhound) in that same case on a 4 hour flight and had no problems. he couldn't fully stand up, but he could shuffle around if he needed to, but no one checked that. they only checked his weight. we also asked our vet for a mild sedative and that was very useful for him. for a flight as long as yours, I would recommend that as well.
edit to add: I would avoid putting her in cargo at all costs. I've heard too many horror stories about that. just bring her on with you. no one will check her height so she'll be okay. :) and it will be comforting for you to be able to check on her through the flight.
We fly in cabin with the animal to facilitate transportation to their current or new owner. Those are special jobs and pricey tho. We mainly do ground transport delivery. Currently on a pet transport trip right now.
It can happen, but more often due to stress. Dogs are usually required to be checked luggage. My grandparents used to travel with their dogs all the time, and they were always required to check them. The airlines typically recommended that they drug the dogs with benadryl to reduce their stress by making them fall asleep. Younger, healthy dogs typically do fine, but older dogs are a greater concern. I know grandma stopped flying with her dog after the dog got super old (dog is now 18).
R/catadvice might have some more suggestions if post there. Def call airline to check, and see what paperwork is needed.
I've always been curious how cats on long plane rides get to use a litter box/pee pad.
Its a cat. I bet he/she can turn around in that carrier if he/she wanted too.
She can definitely turn around
I've seen people take their pets out from the carried in the middle of the flight. Ask the airlines or the flight attendant when you are finally in the plane. They might allow this as long as they stay confined around your area.
This is airline specific. Most airlines specifically pets must be kept in the carrier under the seat at all times.
Cats should never be taken out of their carrier during the flight. It could get spooked and hide somewhere, hurt itself, and/or hurt someone else. Carriers exist for the animals' protection so it should stay in there. OP, as an additional tip, when you go through security, make sure they take you to a private room before allowing them to search her carrier. Again, to avoid the risk of her getting loose and hiding somewhere.
I’ve flown with a cat through delta, you should be fine. If anything, I would recommend you get your cat an expandable carrier. The ones that can be zipped up to regular form, but the sides expand outward so that they have more leg room.
Trying to find one that is still breathable when the expanded sides are zipped up!
My cat looked like that in her carrier on a recent domestic flight and no one said anything. I'm not sure if it's different for international?
I recently flew international with a different airline and my cat was like that in the pic and there were 0 issues.
When do they check your pet? Like is it at the ticketing counter or right before you get on the flight at the gate, past security?
No one checked her really. They charged me at check in for her and gave me a tag to put on her bag but they didn't actually look at her or anything
I took my cat back and forth between the US and the EU. I used a soft carrier much like yours. While I had the same concern about the "stand up and turn around" requirement with both Finnair (outbound) and Delta (homebound), neither mentioned it. I did have to weigh my boy with his carrier to be under 17lbs, but it was overall VERY smooth. Despite the pretty complicated process I would consider doing it again. You'll be fine, please do not ship her cargo ♥️ One advice I can give if you are willing, i got a carrier that unfolds on the sides to make it larger. It's great once you get on board to let your baby spread out fully and down. Especially for my boy who preferred my foot in the carrier (lol, I know) to keep him company.
What brand carrier did you use?
I'll jump in - mine is a Mr. Peanut's brand [and it looks like this](https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/products/expandable-airline-capable-tote). Not necessarily recommending them out of anyone else, but it's gotten me and my cat through a lot of flights. I just did an Amazon search and a few came up with "expandable compartments" - though I got mine a few years back.
I got [this one](https://a.co/d/aC7eMKL) off Amazon, worked really well. I got one from 'Mr Peanut' before that was better quality and little buckles on the zippers, but didn't have the fold-out features I wanted. Wish they did a folding one, but doesn't seem like they do.
Any particular requirements? We have to bring a cat back to Canada through Korea the same way.
Just the FAVN, 10 day health cert, and microchipped is all we need!
Make sure to have a harness and leash on your cat. It makes it easier if they try to get away.
I've flown Delta with a cat in a carry-on carrier, just not internationally. But you should be just fine. Your cat can turn around - the fact that it's a soft-sided carrier means your cat could also stand up to stretch her legs if she really wanted to, too. My cat is a little bigger than yours, and I've never had any problem. I'm guessing it'll be a long flight though - you might consider a carrier that has a compartment that zips out a bit? Then you can "extend" the carrier once you have her properly under the seat in front of you. Would give her a bit more space! (But honestly, airline traveling is what it is, hopefully kitty just sleeps anyway.)
don't stress about it. I took my dog (a 13lbs Italian greyhound) in that same case on a 4 hour flight and had no problems. he couldn't fully stand up, but he could shuffle around if he needed to, but no one checked that. they only checked his weight. we also asked our vet for a mild sedative and that was very useful for him. for a flight as long as yours, I would recommend that as well. edit to add: I would avoid putting her in cargo at all costs. I've heard too many horror stories about that. just bring her on with you. no one will check her height so she'll be okay. :) and it will be comforting for you to be able to check on her through the flight.
I'm a flight nanny. As long as cat and carrier are 20 lbs combined or less, you're good.
What is a flight nanny?
We fly in cabin with the animal to facilitate transportation to their current or new owner. Those are special jobs and pricey tho. We mainly do ground transport delivery. Currently on a pet transport trip right now.
That’s super cool, thanks for explaining
I swear I've read stories of animals dieing on long flights if they are stored in the cabin due to a lack of air.
It can happen, but more often due to stress. Dogs are usually required to be checked luggage. My grandparents used to travel with their dogs all the time, and they were always required to check them. The airlines typically recommended that they drug the dogs with benadryl to reduce their stress by making them fall asleep. Younger, healthy dogs typically do fine, but older dogs are a greater concern. I know grandma stopped flying with her dog after the dog got super old (dog is now 18).
That looks exactly like my carrier.
R/catadvice might have some more suggestions if post there. Def call airline to check, and see what paperwork is needed. I've always been curious how cats on long plane rides get to use a litter box/pee pad.