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Comment by nwatab | Hacker News Reader

I want to bring my two cats from Tokyo to California. Only possible choose is American airlines where I can bring them beneath seats. I'm interested in another ways.

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I suggest you go with that method. If you call AA shortly before the flight, it's possible to get allowance to get you and your pets put in an empty row on the plane. I have this done almost every time for me and my cats. Just have to try to get it done even when you are boarding. Any decent airline with a plane that isn't full, will accommodate the request.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. How was toilet and food for cats? Did they cry all the time?

No problem. I have brought a foldable litter box from Sturdi [1, 2] with litter in a ziploc. The cats didn't use it. Yes they cried but a carrier that lets you pet them is a way to help with this. I sometimes took them out of the carrier and got away with it most of the time, but one time got told they had to go back in. YMMV

In any case, them being on the seats (in carrier) rather than under them, helped a ton. The cats aren't as freaked out.

[1] https://sturdiproducts.com/products/folding-water-tight-boxe...

[2] https://sturdiproducts.com/products/folding-water-tight-boxe...

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is really appreciated. I'm glad to know that you can put a litter box under seats and get away with cats. Thank you so much.

No problem. Sturdi's carriers are also really good. I took them to the bathroom to use the litter box. I'm sure you could place it on the floor though if they give you a row to yourself.

Thanks. I checked Sturdi's carriers. It's a little bit over my budget, but looks nice for an in-cabin flight. I see you can bring cats to restroom with a litter box. Now I can imagine better how an in-cabin flight is like. My worries are faded. Thank you so much!

Ah yeah, they are expensive but they do last for years and are machine washable. I've had the same Sturdi XL for over 7 years.

Glad I could help with the info. Cheers.

That's nice. This will be the last question, how long is your flight? My flight will be 10 hours.

You can double check and confirm which flight your two cats can fly from on avvinue.com, which is our new pet travel startup. Otherwise there are options on charter as well - but many airlines allow two of the same species to travel in the same carrier, so if they get along :)

You're doing really great jobs. Thank you so much. I'll check it!

Hey. I checked your site. It suggests Alaska Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines and Air Canada. Do they allow cats under seats, or should cats go to a cargo room? It is huge difference. Thanks!

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