Feline owners planning domestic getaways now have a new option: Philippine Airlines has cleared small cats to ride inside the cabin, folding them into a service that until recently was reserved for dogs.
The reach of the program is broad. Under the expanded policy, each passenger may bring one small dog or cat in the cabin for a one-way fee starting at P2,500, in compliance with all airline rules and safety standards. Every domestic route is covered.
Weight and age thresholds determine which cats qualify. Animals need to be a minimum of 12 weeks old and completely weaned, and the total load of pet plus carrier cannot top 10 kilograms. There must also be enough room inside the enclosure for the cat to rise, pivot, and settle down without strain.
The carrier itself has to meet specific standards. It should be soft-sided, sealed on all sides, and leak-proof over a firm base, with a pair of ventilation panels at minimum. Zippers, Velcro, or a comparable mechanism must keep it shut, and it has to slide beneath the seat while staying clear of damage, contamination, or heavy scents.
Paperwork is a condition of boarding. Travelers are required to hand over a signed Declaration, Release and Waiver Form, along with a Health Certification good for five days and proof of an anti-rabies shot given within the past twelve months. A Local Shipping Permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry rounds out the list.
Reserving a spot follows the standard booking flow. On the airline’s website, passengers pick their flight and then tap the FurPAL button under the Travel Boost section of the Flight Details page to attach their cat to the itinerary. Only one pet is permitted per adult traveler.
Space, however, is tight. Most approved aircraft can carry only up to three pets per flight, so you need to be book and pay at least 48 hours before departure. The service also runs only on a set roster of aircraft — among them PAL’s Q400, A320, A321ceo, certain A330s, Boeing 777s and A350s.
The addition builds on a program the carrier first opened to dogs. PAL launched FurPAL nine months ago as an in-cabin service for small dogs.
