My wife and I are considering reservations to transport our two cats one-way (MSP-EWR) in-cabin on Continental. I know the need to make special reservations, either on-line or by phone in order to do this.

I am concerned, however, over the carrier requirements. CO limits hard cases to 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H, but says nothing about soft carriers.

https://www.continental.com/web/en-U.../in_cabin.aspx


A small Bergen comfort carrier (one for each cat) is 17"L x 8"W x 11.5" H. So less wide that CO reqs, but higher.

We have two existing soft-case carriers -- both are roughly 18"L, and both are less than 12.5"W, but they are approximately 11"H, over the CO height limit for hard cases. CO says its sells $55 in-cabin pet kennels at ticket counters that meet the dimensions it sets. Has anyone ever bought these?


Has anyone traveled successfully in-cabin with cats on CO, who can comment on this?

CO will allow cats in-cabin on its ERJ-145 aircraft, but I am worried about the under-seat space being sufficient. Has anyone flown pets in-cabin on one of these?

For much cheaper,* we can "Quickpak" the cats on CO cargo. Has anyone used this service successfully?

Thank you.


* We will need to fly back to get the cats after driving a car out -- a 3 days trip -- so cargo/Quickpak would be cheaper than having two people make an extra RT).