Travel with Pets - moving a cat to France

I'm hoping someone can help out with any advice or stories of moving a cat to Europe...

My boyfriend recently landed a job in Paris and will be flying out shortly; he had planned on taking our cat with him since we both think he'll handle the stress better. The travel agent he used to find him a ticket ended up booking him on British Airways, which doesn't allow animals in-cabin (which is obviously our preferred method for transport). Cargo with that airline is now not an option (besides the scary separation factor) because of the cold winter temps.

It's now up to me to bring the cat over, and I'm very nervous. Can anyone help? Are there any airlines which allow for in-cabin travel internationally? Has anyone flown a cat from the US to Europe in-cabin/cargo and had either a good or bad experience? Any tips, advice, etc would be greatly appreciated.

I know it can seem silly to consider a cat important enough to go to the trouble of moving it across an ocean, but it's so hard to consider our only other option- finding him a new family. We've had him since birth and we are very attached to him, and we like to think it's mutual. Our cat can be anxious and not deal with separation well which is the main reason why in-cabin transport is so important to us.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to FT! Many airlines allow in-cabin pets internationally. UA (United) is one that will, for example. Depending on where you live, they may or may not have convenenient flights to CDG. I think AA also allows in-cabin pets internationally. The specific rules vary by airline, so I would recommend checking on the airline websites and/or calling them.

I've personally never flown a pet internationally, but I've done so domestically many times (in-cabin every time).

Since you will most likely be in Economy because of your pet, you might strongly consider UA because of its Economy Plus option, which will give you an extra 5" of legroom... if you have an in-cabin pet, that extra space really makes a difference since the pet takes up your leg space. (I have a thread in the UA forum, linked from the sticky in this forum, that provides lots of information for pet travel on UA.)

Good luck.

I moved a cat to the Netherlands. We flew NW PHL-DTW-AMS because they allowed a cat in cabin.

Be sure you go to the vet to get all the paperwork required by France.

Be sure to make a res because they limit the carry on pets to 2 per cabin.

I know it can seem silly to consider a cat important enough to go to the trouble of moving it across an ocean, but it's so hard to consider our only other option- finding him a new family. We've had him since birth and we are very attached to him, and we like to think it's mutual. Our cat can be anxious and not deal with separation well which is the main reason why in-cabin transport is so important to us.

Thanks in advance!In this forum, we know animals are part of the family and nobody here thinks moving your cat with you is silly. (thus writes someone whose cats have their own Pet Points (or whatever Red Lion calls it now) numbers ;))

Consulting a vet early in the process - vaccinations, paperwork, right type of microchip, etc. - can save stress on you later. Also ask about best ways to handle feline anxiety - one of my cats is a champion traveler, the other has anxiety issues over everything out of the usual. His vet suggested a scented collar to help him relax on the road.

Oh, and welcome to FT.

Brought my previous cat to France in 1992 flying from LHR to BSL with the late-lamented Crossair. Excellent service, cat travelled with me in the cabin without incident.

Just sorry that both this cat and this carrier are now no longer with us!

Get informed, get all the right vet procedures done and all the necessary documentation and then make sure the airline have all the information.

I have found veterinary medicine in France in my area to be of the highest standards, and am sure that your cat will have a great life in France. Hope you all settle in well.

I fly my little dog back and forth every month between the US and Europe.
I used to fly my cat (when he was alive RIP). By all means DO NOT fly him in the hold-it's too stressful!
For France you can choose a variety of airlines. AIR FRANCE is the most pet friendly for incabin (is your pet heavier than 13lb?)
LUFTHANSA, ALITALIA, KLM, SWISSAIR are very pet friendly too but won't take you there direct (where are you flying from?)
you will need to make an appointment with your vet a week ahead, and make all the necessary papers. make sure you read the in-cabin pet section of whatever airline you end up booking. Basically before you confirm your tkt, you have to call and make sure there's space for in cabin pet (and specify in cabin- sometimes they make mistakes, you get to the airport and the pet was reserved in the hold...no way!).
It's easy once you take the time and effort, it's quite routine.
Your cat deserves to be in paris....!

I fly my little dog back and forth every month between the US and Europe. I used to fly my catWow -- that is impressive, and DEDICATED :) I would like to consider flying my cat back and forth to Hawaii occasionally, but IN CABIN is not an option so we are very hesitant to go the cargo route :(

I won't be moving my cat permanently to France yet, but we will be summering there with my boyfriend who just got a job in Marseille.

I plan to travel DEN-ATL-CDG-MRS and MRS-CDG-SLC-DEN with a SturdiBag in-cabin carrier that is the max size for Delta flights.

I would never have gone if she couldn't be in the cabin with me. The carrier also has blinders to go over the vents just in case....