High-Flying Hijinks: Hilarious Tales of Cats Turning Air Travel into Adventures

Ken Hyde

By Ken Hyde

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Cats and planes are a recipe for confusion in the air with many funny anecdotes of feline capers in the sky. Mischievous behavior, accidental escapes, or real feline determination have been cause for traveler and animal lover stories to be told. And cat lovers who want to learn more about these furry creatures can learn more about cat breeds here.

The Escaping Cat

There is that one popular story, that of a cat who uses it as a carrier and escapes in mid-air. An adventure came when cats went bonkers once stowaway felines sneaked through on board and zipped their way through the aisles, startling (or somehow delighting) passengers en route. Chases around the cabin ensued due to the implacable agility of the cat, which the crew were unable to ever catch in any way. A flight attendant eventually managed to corral the wayward traveler, with cheers and applause. A smile trail was left behind, as the cat was safely returned to its carrier and a great story was told by everyone onboard​.

Cats in First Class

Smudge, pretty much any cat is happy to extend the whole luxury thing to their 汉语 of choice, as he once slipped past the gates of first class on a flight. On the way to his destination, Smudge charmed first-class passengers — while the owner was in the economy — with its calm demeanor earning treats and even a makeshift pillow bed. Eventually noticing the interloper, the crew kid gloves Smudge back to their rightful spot and everyone is laughing. To everyone’s hilarity, the cat had a brief taste of high life.

Feline Houdinis at Airports

It often starts before takeoff. Clever cats have been heard unzipping carriers at airports and wandering off to their adventure. On another occasion, a cat escaped from a seat and a terminal-wide search ensued with airline staff and passengers. The feline was found after an exhaustive hunt lounging near the gate, blissfully ignorant of the game it had gone and caused. There were several impromptu selfies with the star of the day and then it was over and it was followed with applause.

The Smuggled Meow

Another quiet but equally entertaining incident was spat out when a passenger tried to smuggle their cat on board in their hand luggage. When one moment of silence came the hidden feline let out a loud meow. The situation was soon resolved and startled passengers alerted the crew. While against airline regulations, the incident turned into a joke for those on board given the cat’s dramatic entrance was the last thing anyone expected​.

The Skydiving Cats Experiment

black and white cat on an airplane

A long lost cat plane story of the most outlandish kind came decades ago when a skydiver tested cats’ capacity for recovery by free fall. This was an unscientific experiment where I had four stray cats released mid-air to see how they would act. All four cats held onto him and the claws caused a great deal of pain as they tumbled together. The added force created when the parachute deployed only drove the claws deeper. But even so, the skydiver was able to land safely, and the cats fled immediately, leaving the skydiver to regret his ill-thought-out stunt. Sadly, this story turned out to be one of the most humorous of cats’ indomitable spirit and sharp claws.​

The Unexpected Passenger

There was another bizarre incident: a cat boarded a plane without its owner. It was a stowaway, which made locating the person responsible a confusing business. The cat had escaped out of a suitcase in transit. Eventually, the flight attendants reunited the furry passenger with its owner but in the process sparking laughter and bewilderment through the crew and passengers​.

Memorable Moments

Be it a feline sneaking into first class, a bout of dramatic mid-flight escape, or a cheeky one meow exposing a smuggling attempt, the good old ’his’ brings a brand of comedy like no other to air travel. But more importantly, their antics remind us of their service, even when circumstances don’t seem to be aligned with the busyness of work, the worry of the unknown future, or the tension of life in general.

Tales of cats on planes are hilarious and endearing precisely because of the travel stories they are. Conceived and celebrating the indomitable and amusing spirit of our feline friends, these lives and adventures both in the air and on the ground. They transform ordinary flights into memory-making experiences that passengers can’t wait to gush about for years.


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Ken W Hyde

Ken W Hyde

Ken W Hyde is the founder of The Wright Experience™. He is passionate about antique airplanes and has restored many of the Wright brothers' planes, including the 1918 Curtiss Jenny and the 1903 Wright Flyer. He is also a pilot and mechanic who has worked for Capital Airlines, Bendix Corporation, and American Airlines.

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