How Much Does It Cost to Fly With a Cat? (2026 Airline Fees)
The quick answer
Flying with a cat in 2026 costs 100–200 each way in the cabin on most major airlines. That makes 200–400 for a round trip, before paperwork.
The airline fee is only part of the bill. A domestic US trip usually comes to about 250–600 once you add a carrier and a vet check. An international trip is often 600–1,500 or more, because of health certificates, government endorsement and entry rules.
Trip type | Typical airline fee | Typical total cost |
|---|---|---|
US domestic, cat in cabin | $100–$150 each way | $250–$600 round trip |
International, cat in cabin | $100–$200 each way | $600–$1,500+ |
International, cat as manifest cargo (e.g., into the UK) | Quoted per shipment | Often over $1,000 one way |
Cats have one big advantage over dogs: almost every cat fits the cabin weight limit, so most owners never pay cargo prices. If you're flying a dog, see our guide to the cost to fly with a dog.
Cat fees by airline in 2026
Alaska Airlines is the cheapest major US airline for a cat in the cabin, at $100 each way. Delta and Air France charge the most on long-haul routes, at $200 and €200. All fees are per carrier, each way.
Airline | Domestic, cabin | International, cabin | Cabin weight limit (cat + carrier) | Hold or cargo for cats? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$100 | $100 | Must fit under seat | Hold, $200 (not for Persians, Himalayans, Exotics, Burmese) | |
$125 | Not offered | Must fit under seat | No | |
$150 | $150 | 9.1 kg (20 lb) | Cargo only | |
$150 | $150 | Must fit under seat | No | |
$150 | $150 | Must fit under seat | No | |
$150 | $200 | Must fit under seat | Delta Cargo only | |
$50–$60 (Canada and US) | $100–$120 | Must fit under seat, soft carrier only | Hold (not for snub-nosed breeds) | |
€70 (within France), €125 (Europe) | €200 (long-haul) | 8 kg | Hold, €100–€400 (not for snub-nosed breeds) | |
Varies by route | Varies by route | 8 kg | Hold (not for Persians, Himalayans, Exotics, British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds) |
US airlines count a pet by carrier, not by animal. Southwest lets two cats share one carrier for a single fee. Southwest raised its fee from $95 to $125, so older guides may still show the old price. Lufthansa prices each route separately. Check its baggage calculator when you book.
Fees change often, so check the airline's own page before you book. Airlines also cap how many pets can travel in each cabin, so book your cat's spot when you book your own seat.
Why most cats fly in the cabin, and when they can't
Most cats weigh 3.5–5.5 kg, which fits within the 8 kg cabin limit used by Lufthansa, Air France and Turkish Airlines, carrier included. American allows up to 9.1 kg. Most US airlines have no weight limit at all, as long as the carrier fits under the seat.
The carrier is the real limit. Typical under-seat maximums are around 46 × 28 × 24 cm (18 × 11 × 9.5 in). A large Maine Coon or Ragdoll can exceed that, even if its weight is within the limit.
A cat usually ends up flying as cargo in three situations:
The destination requires it. The UK does not allow pets to arrive in the passenger cabin, so every cat entering the UK flies as manifest cargo. Delta, Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines all refuse UK-bound pets as passenger baggage.
The airline has no cabin option on that route. Some long-haul carriers only accept pets through their cargo divisions.
The cat is too big for the carrier limit. Very large breeds may need the hold, which costs more.
Snub-nosed breeds such as Persians, Himalayans, Exotic Shorthairs, and British Shorthairs are banned from the hold on several airlines, for breathing safety. For these cats, the cabin is the only affordable option. If the route only allows cargo, some airlines won't accept them at all.
The costs beyond the airline fee
Paperwork and vet costs often add up to more than the airline fee itself, especially on international trips. Vet prices below are typical US ranges and vary by clinic. The USDA fee is the official 2026 rate.
Item | Typical cost | Needed for |
|---|---|---|
Airline-compliant soft carrier | $30–$80 | Every flight |
Microchip (ISO 15-digit) | $45–$60 | Almost all international trips |
Rabies vaccine | $20–$50 | International trips, some US states |
Vet exam + health certificate | $100–$300 | International trips. Optional for most domestic flights |
USDA APHIS endorsement, no lab tests | $101 per certificate | Most international trips from the US |
USDA APHIS endorsement, 1–2 lab tests | $160 for one pet, +$10 per extra pet | Destinations requiring a titer test |
Varies by lab (often $150–$350) | Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and others |
The USDA fee is charged per certificate, not per cat. Two cats on the same certificate with no lab tests cost $101 in total, not $202.
For what goes on the certificate itself, see our pet health certificate guide. For travel within the EU, see how much a pet passport costs.
What a real trip costs: three example budgets
A domestic round trip costs about $350. A first international trip costs about 600–750 each way, because the one-time vet work happens up front.
Cost item | New York → Los Angeles, round trip (JetBlue) | New York → Paris, one way (Delta) | US → UK, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
Airline fee | $300 ($150 × 2) | $200 | Cargo only: quoted per shipment, often over $1,000 |
Carrier | $50 | $50 | IATA hard crate, $60–$150 |
Microchip + rabies vaccine | Not required | $65–$110 | $65–$110 |
Vet exam + health certificate | Optional | $150–$300 (EU Animal Health Certificate) | $150–$300 |
USDA APHIS endorsement | Not required | $101 | $101 |
Approximate total | About $350 | About $600–$750 | Often $1,400+ |
On the Paris trip, the rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days before travel. The health certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival. Missing either window means paying for the certificate twice. Build your own route list with the Pet Holiday Club checklist.
The UK column shows why the destination matters more than the airline. The UK accepts arriving pets only as manifest cargo, so even a small cat pays cargo rates plus handling.
Cat-specific cost traps
The most expensive mistakes are about the rules, not the price list. These are the ones that catch cat owners most often.
Emotional support cats pay full price. US airlines now treat emotional support animals as ordinary pets, so the standard cabin fee applies. USDA also charges its endorsement fee for emotional support animals. Only ADA service dogs are exempt.
Two cats may mean two fees. Fees are charged per carrier. Southwest lets two cats share one carrier, but most airlines want one pet per carrier and limit each passenger to one or two. Book both spots early, because each cabin has a pet cap.
Snub-nosed breeds have fewer options. Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs are banned from the hold on Alaska, Air France and Lufthansa. On a cargo-only route, such as into the UK, you may need a specialist pet shipper.
Sedation can get your cat refused. Most airlines won't accept a sedated pet, and vets generally advise against it at altitude. Ask your vet about carrier training or anti-anxiety options instead.
Airport security means taking your cat out. You'll carry your cat through the scanner while the carrier is X-rayed. A snug harness costs about $15 and prevents a much more expensive escape.
A timing mistake means paying twice. Certificates have strict windows, such as 10 days before arrival for the EU. A delayed flight can push you outside the window, and then you pay for a new vet visit and a new USDA endorsement.
How to cut the cost of flying with a cat
The biggest savings come from choosing the right airline and getting the paperwork right the first time.
Compare airlines by pet fee, not just ticket price. On a US round trip, Alaska's $100 fee saves $100 compared with the $150 airlines. Delta's international fee is $50 higher than United's.
Fly nonstop where you can. Fewer connections mean less risk of missing a certificate window, and fewer chances for a pet booking to go wrong on a partner airline.
Put both cats on one certificate. USDA charges per certificate, so a second cat costs 0–10 extra instead of a second $101 fee.
Microchip before the rabies shot. If the order is wrong, many countries treat the vaccine as invalid, and you pay to redo it and wait another 30 days.
Buy a carrier that fits every airline on your trip. A soft carrier around 43 × 28 × 22 cm fits most under-seat limits, so one purchase covers the whole journey.
Plan your route's requirements before you book. A Pet Holiday Club checklist shows every requirement and deadline for your route and airline, so you don't pay for a vet visit you didn't need or one you have to repeat.
The bottom line
For most trips, flying with a cat costs $100–$200 each way in the cabin, plus whatever paperwork your destination requires. The airline fee is predictable. Most of the risk is in the paperwork deadlines.
Before you book, build a Pet Holiday Club checklist for your route and airline. It lists every vaccine, certificate, and deadline in order, so you pay for each step once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to bring a cat on a plane?
On most major airlines, a cat in the cabin costs $100–$200 each way. Alaska charges $100, Southwest $125, and American, United, JetBlue, and Delta charge $150 (domestic). Delta charges $200 on international flights.
Do cats need a plane ticket?
No, a cat doesn't get its own seat or ticket. You pay a pet fee, and the cat rides in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The carrier counts as your personal item on most airlines.
Is it cheaper to fly a cat than a dog?
Usually, yes. The cabin fee is the same, but almost every cat fits the cabin limits, while many dogs have to fly as cargo at a much higher cost. Our main price guide covers the cost to fly with a dog for comparison.
How much does it cost to fly a cat internationally?
Expect about $600–$750 one way for a first trip to the EU with the cat in the cabin. That includes the airline fee, microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and the $101 USDA endorsement. Countries that require a titer test or cargo-only entry, such as the UK, cost more.
Can two cats fly in one carrier?
On Southwest, yes: two cats can share one carrier for a single fee. Most other airlines require one pet per carrier, so each cat pays its own fee.
Do I need a health certificate to fly with my cat in the US?
Most US airlines don't require one for a cat in the cabin on domestic flights. Some states and Hawaii have their own rules. Every international trip from the US needs one.
