Things I Love About Airplane Travel

I’m going to the Cat Writers Conference next week! I’ve got to pick out my wardrobe, but I want to show off my new travel gear first.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sleepypod®. I received the Sleepypod Air and GoBag in exchange for sharing information about traveling to the Cat Writers’ Conference with my human. Sleepypod is not responsible for the contents of this post. I only share products and information I know our readers will love.

So as you can see from the above disclosure, I got this awesome new Air carrier from Sleepypod. The Atom, which I usually fly in, is a great carrier for small pets like me (I am 6.5 lbs.), but the Air offers a bit more room, while still meeting airline and TSA requirements. It’s also got some handy straps so you can secure a seat belt when you are driving to and from the airport. Sleepypod is all about safety, which both my human and I appreciate.

There’s also a zippered section on the back so the carrier can be slipped over the suitcase handle when you are going from baggage claim to your ride.

Anyhow, before we look inside the Air, I want to tell you more about the Cat Writers Conference. It’s in St. Louis this year — which is funny because I’ve already been to St. Louis once before! Isn’t it funny that I’ve traveled enough that I’m already visiting cities multiple times for completely different events? And I’m thrilled that I get to fly because I prefer air travel over car travel. Maybe that’s surprising, but it’s really not. Let me explain some reasons why.

• When we are flying, my human’s attention is mostly on me, and not on the road. I hate being secured in the back seat of my human’s Mini Cooper, even though I’m safer there than riding shotgun with her. I get ignored the whole time she’s driving, even though I complain sometimes. When we fly, my human can reach in the carrier and give me treats and take photos of me. So it’s lots more fun.
• Airports are awesome! What… do I hear lots of humans out there telling me I’m nuts? Maybe they are just doing it wrong! Airports are fun places to people watch… and sometimes people watch me! I’ve met lots of nice people at airports. And for a social butterfly type cat like me, that’s really great. I even love going through TSA, because I get loads of attention, which I enjoy. Most of you humans, I guess, don’t want any extra attention when you go through TSA. I can kind of understand that.
• When we are flying, I know we’re going on an extra special adventure! I’ve traveled enough to know that when we wind up at an airport, I am going somewhere that probably involves one of my favorite things: a hotel! And that I will be doing something that involves more fun experiences and meeting new people. And I really enjoy doing that. Sometimes the hotels even have bacon, and I get to have a taste. My human doesn’t eat bacon, so I never get any at home.
• My human and I have different opinions on this one. She says taking me along makes air travel a little more complicated. But she is kind of wrong about that, because I make it lots less stressful for her! Because I am there, she has to be calm and not freak out about silly things. She knows if she gets stressed, it will affect me negatively, so she just takes deep breaths and deals with insignificant things like realizing she forgot her toothbrush, or she only brought one pair of shoes. She knows my wellbeing comes first, which puts everything in perspective.

Okay, now that I’m done with that, let’s see what it’s like inside my new Air carrier.

It really is lots roomier! The Sleepypod humans say that the Air fits dogs up to 15 lbs. and cats up to 18 lbs., and I believe it!

Sleepypod also gave my human a Go Bag, so she can easily carry both her things and mine. The mini cubes can fit cans of cat food, and there is also an insulated bag! Plus lanyards for her keys, and different compartments too. Maybe she can fit in a couple of my dresses, along with her wallet and laptop.

As soon as I choose some outfits, I’ll be ready for my trip!

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See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.