The ride took an unexpected detour when a sleek orange tabby slipped out of its travel carrier early in the boarding process, breaking the usual quiet of the Southwest boarding window. Passengers on the flight from Los Angeles to St. Louis were quickly treated to a feline surprise as the cat darted down the aisle, head high and tail flicking. One quick-thinking flight attendant captured the moment, gently scooped the curious kitty into her lap, and turned the incident into a spontaneous part of the pre‑takeoff safety briefing – a sight that made many of the Thanksgiving‑bound travelers grin.
Passengers murmured and laughed as the calm cat, clearly unfazed by the commotion, was affectionately patted by the crew. After a short dance around the cabin, the rightful owner recognises the little wanderer and returns him to his carrier, so the feline can rest for the rest of the journey.
The incident was filmed by passenger Jason Thompson, who posted the clip on Instagram and delighted a crowd of cat lovers in the comments. One user quipped, “It’s like the cat is checking tray tables in preparation for arrival,” while another added, “Cat behaves better than many people on planes these days.” A third echoed the sentiment: “Why does this never happen on my flights?”
Southwest allows travelers to bring a cat aboard domestically for $125 each way, provided the pet is at least eight weeks old and fits in an airline‑approved carrier that can be tucked under the seat. Though most pets travel smoothly, there have been rare incidents, such as a woman in December who was forced off a flight after her kitten, named Oni, defecated in the carrier during a rough landing. The airline offered her a $200 travel voucher and rebooked her on a later flight with a layover in an unspecified city.
Her story, and the escapade of the first cat, remind us that even in the routine of air travel, a whiskered visitor can bring a surprising dose of joy.
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