Moving two cats from L.A. to Portugal

Hi Paul, Welcome

Each airline company has specific limitations on the weight and size of the pet.

https://www.flytap.com/en-pt/travelling … imals/pets

In the case of TAP, if the total weight is no more than 8 kg ( = 17.637 lb), it can be carried in the cabin. Animals + containers over that weight are carried in the hold, where the pressure is equal to that of the cabin and well lit, and the animal boxes go well secured.

I don't see a way around it...If anyone knows, please let us know.

Each airline set their own rules, it is best that you find a desired route and contact that airline(s) There are companies that specialise in transporting animals. They also make sure all the paperwork is correct, it can be expensive but it is a peace of mind.

If you are only going for a year, it pains me to say you could leave them with a friend or a loved one? I am a cat lover and I know they are part of the family but that is another option?

Please do let us know how you get on.

Please don't take offence to this

Put cat on diet, try to come down to airlines requirement and then bring cat with you in cabin.  Cat can eat whatever it wants afterwards.  I have had to put my dog on a diet many times, not because of flying but for health reasons....

Hard to change airline policy, they won't budge.

You could have your cat classified as your "emotional support animal." A woman brought a 115-pound horse on a plane claiming it was her emotional support animal. I don't know what the current rules are for that classification, but it seems possibly an option to get your cat on plane. I understand your concern with letting it go in the cargo container, given that animals have been killed traveling that way by incompetent employees. The diet/exercise route is also an option, depending on the breed of your cat and how far over the weight limit they are. Keep us posted on what happens, so others know the tips.