Last updated: 02 November 2025

Airline pet policies change often, sometimes quietly, sometimes overnight.

If you’ve ever booked a flight only to learn later that your cat can’t travel in the cabin after all, you know how stressful it can be to sort rumor from regulation.

This updated 2025 guide was created to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to that process.

At TravelWithCats.net, we review and verify official airline and government sources each year to help you understand which airlines currently allow cats in the cabin. This article reflects information available as of 02 November 2025, to the best of our abilities. Because airlines can change their policies at any time, we strongly recommend double-checking directly with the carrier before you book.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:

• Find airlines that allow cats in cabin in 2025 for your route,
• Interpret airline restrictions without getting lost in the fine print, and
• Secure a confirmed booking so your cat’s space is actually held.

Whether you’re flying across the country or relocating overseas, this guide is designed to help you get there without the stress that normally comes with such a journey.

Before You Book, What “In-Cabin” Actually Means in 2025

“In-cabin” sounds simple, your cat travels under the seat in front of you, right? Unfortunately, airlines can define it slightly differently. Before you choose a flight, it helps to understand exactly what “in-cabin” covers in and when it might not apply to your route.

What “In-Cabin” Really Means

When an airline allows in-cabin pets, it means your cat can travel with you in the passenger cabin — not in cargo and not as checked baggage. Your cat stays inside a ventilated, airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat ahead of you. Most airlines treat this carrier as your personal item, which means you’ll only have room for one additional carry-on.

Key characteristics of in-cabin travel in 2025:

• Placement - Cats must remain in their carriers for the full flight.
• Cat numbers - Only one pet per passenger is typical, and usually only 2–4 pets are allowed per flight in total (see, for example, Delta Air Lines — Pet Travel).
• Weight - The combined weight of your cat and carrier generally cannot exceed 7–10 kg (15–22 lbs).
• Location - The carrier must fit completely under the seat — typical maximum dimensions range from about 43 to 55 cm long, depending on aircraft and airline.

“Checked Pet” and “Manifest Cargo”, What’s the Difference?

If your cat doesn’t qualify for in-cabin travel, some airlines may allow them to fly as checked baggage (on the same flight as you) or as manifest cargo (in a dedicated animal compartment, managed like freight).

• Checked pet means your cat travels in the plane’s baggage hold, linked to your ticket. Not all airlines still offer this in 2025.
• Manifest cargo means your cat travels on an air waybill, booked through the airline’s cargo division or a pet shipper, under rules such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations.

Some countries (notably the UK, Australia, and New Zealand) require pets to arrive as cargo, regardless of what the airline would otherwise permit.

2025 Trends to Know

• Tighter under-seat space: newer aircraft and denser seating reduce room for carriers.
• Higher pet fees: most major carriers raised in-cabin pet fees in 2025.
• Stricter vet documentation: many airlines now require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, sometimes less on international routes.
• Route restrictions: flights to or from countries with strict animal import laws (like the UK, Australia, New Zealand) often ban in-cabin pets entirely.

When Your Cat Can’t Fly in Cabin

Your cat may not qualify for in-cabin travel if:

• They weigh more than the airline’s limit when inside their carrier.
• The route includes a destination that bans in-cabin animals (for example, the UK — see UK guidance on pet entry: UK Government — Bring your pet to Great Britain).
• The aircraft is too small to accommodate pet carriers under the seats.
• Your cat’s breed is restricted by the airline or destination country.

Key takeaway: confirm both that the airline allows in-cabin pets and that your specific route/aircraft is eligible.

Airlines That Allow Cats in Cabin 2025 — Verified by Route

Most cat owners plan a route first, not an airline. So this section groups airlines that allow cats in cabin in 2025 by origin–destination region.

All information below is based on official airline and government pages available as of 02 November 2025. Always confirm before booking.

Quick Orientation — Cabin-Friendly Routes at a Glance

North America ↔ Europe

Major transatlantic carriers — Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Delta, United, and Air Canada — all allow small cats to travel in the cabin when route and aircraft permit.

Common elements:

• No in-cabin pets to the UK or Ireland (UK entry rules override airline policies — see UK Government).
• Carriers must fit under the seat (exact dimensions vary by airline).
• Fees typically around USD 100–150 / EUR 100–125 each way.

Useful official references:

• Lufthansa — Travelling with animals
• KLM — Travelling with pets
• Air France — Travelling with your pet

UK ↔ EU (Post-Brexit)

Most UK-based airlines (for example, British Airways — Travelling with pets) do not accept pets in the cabin on international routes — animals are carried as cargo via approved partners. The common workaround is to depart from an EU hub (Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt) on an EU airline that still allows in-cabin pets, and then enter the UK by pet-friendly surface transport.

US ↔ Canada

This is one of the easiest corridors. Air Canada, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines all permit in-cabin cats, with strict limits on the number of pets per flight and carrier dimensions.

US ↔ Asia & Middle East

Rules vary more here. Some airlines (for example, ANA and Singapore Airlines) permit pets but often in the hold; others (like Emirates and Cathay Pacific) generally do not allow pets in the cabin, except service animals.

Australia / New Zealand ↔ Other Regions

Qantas and Air New Zealand do not accept pets in the cabin on international flights due to biosecurity requirements. Pets must arrive as cargo, in line with Australian and New Zealand import rules.

What Each Airline Requires (At-a-Glance Table)

Here is a simplified 2025 snapshot to help compare. Always check the airline’s current page for your exact route and aircraft.

Why this matters: airlines treat these requirements as conditions of carriage. If your carrier doesn’t match, they can refuse to board your cat, even if your ticket was otherwise valid.

How to Book an In-Cabin Cat Spot Without Getting Bumped

This is the part most travelers miss: even if you’ve booked a ticket and the airline “allows” in-cabin pets, your cat’s space is not held until the airline adds a special service request to your booking — often shown as SSR PETC (Pet in Cabin).

Several major airlines state this explicitly:

• Delta Air Lines — Pet Travel: cabin pets are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis; contact Reservations.
• United Airlines — Traveling with Pets: space for in-cabin pets is limited and must be reserved in advance.
• Air Canada — Pets in Cabin: customers must contact Air Canada to confirm space for the pet.

Step-by-Step

1. Book your own ticket first. You need a booking reference.
2. Contact the airline within 24 hours. Give them your booking code and ask them to add an in-cabin cat.
3. Ask the agent to confirm the PETC/“pet in cabin” note is on your booking. Request updated email confirmation.
4. Confirm carrier dimensions for your specific aircraft. They can vary.
5. Pay the pet fee (some airlines do this at the airport; some in advance).
6. Reconfirm 72 hours before departure. Aircraft or schedule changes can sometimes drop the PETC.

Bottom line: until that PETC code is on your reservation, your cat’s spot is not guaranteed.

Airline-Approved Cat Carriers for 2025

In 2025, the number-one reason cats get refused at check-in is an oversized carrier. “Airline-approved” in marketing copy is not the same as “fits under this airline’s seat.” Go by the airline measurements, not the product label.

Most airlines (Delta, United, Air Canada, KLM) state: soft-sided carriers are acceptable if they can be safely stowed under the seat in front of you. See:

• Delta — Pet Travel
• United — Traveling with Pets
• Air Canada — Travelling with your pet in the cabin

Tips:

• Use the smallest required dimension across all legs of your trip.
• Add an absorbent pad and a blanket that smells like home.
• Label the carrier with your name and mobile number.
• Bring a printout of the airline’s pet policy in case check-in staff need to see it.

International Regulations That Still Catch Travelers Off Guard

Airlines can let you board, but countries decide whether your cat may enter. National rules override airline policies.

Examples of official sources to check:

• United Kingdom (GB entry): gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain
• European Union pet travel: European Commission — Travelling with pets
• United States (re-entry, rabies): CDC — Bringing a cat into the U.S.
• Australia: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Cats and dogs
• Singapore: NParks/AVS — Bringing animals into Singapore

Why this matters: you might be able to fly in-cabin to France with KLM, but you cannot fly in-cabin straight into the UK because the UK requires approved routes for pet entry.

When Your Cat Can’t Fly in Cabin: Safe Alternatives

If in-cabin isn’t possible, you still have options:

• Checked pet on airlines that still offer it (for example, Alaska, some Air France/KLM routes).
• Manifest cargo under IATA Live Animals Regulations.
• Pet relocation services that work directly with airline cargo departments.
• Rerouting via a pet-friendly EU or Asian hub.

Quick Reference — Top 5 Cat-Friendly Airlines in 2025

1. Lufthansa — broad international acceptance, clear pet pages, strong animal facilities.
2. KLM — transparent policy pages and good EU connectivity.
3. Air Canada — predictable rules for North Americans.
4. Alaska Airlines — pet-friendly reputation, good for US/Canada/Mexico.
5. Delta Air Lines — consistent process and clear requirement to call.

Note: these rankings are based on 2025 publicly available information; always confirm with the airline directly.

Final Checks Before You Fly

48 hours before departure:

• Confirm the PETC note is still in your booking.
• Re-check the aircraft type.
• Gather originals of vet certificates, vaccination records, and import permits.
• Prepare the carrier (liner, tag, harness inside).

Day of travel:

• Feed lightly.
• Arrive early — some airports require in-person pet check.
• Use a harness and leash for security screening.
• Do not sedate unless your vet has prescribed it.

Key Takeaways — How to Choose an Airline That Allows Cats in Cabin in 2025

• Start with the route, not the airline. Destination import rules can block cabin pets.
• Use official sources: link to the carrier’s own pet page, not third-party blogs.
• Confirm twice: once after booking, once 72 hours before departure.
• Plan to the smallest dimension across all flights.
• Pause if something’s unclear. It’s better to move the trip than to risk refusal at the airport.