Philippine Airlines is making domestic air travel more pet-friendly, and this time, cat owners are getting their turn.
The flag carrier has expanded its FurPAL in-cabin pet program to include small cats, allowing eligible passengers to travel with either one small dog or one small cat on PAL domestic flights. The service starts at ₱2,500 one way, subject to the airline’s requirements and travel guidelines.
The move expands a program that initially focused on small dogs and was later made available across PAL’s domestic network.
Cats can now fly beside their owners
Under the expanded FurPAL program, a passenger may bring one small dog or cat into the aircraft cabin, provided the pet meets PAL’s requirements.
The animal must remain inside an appropriate carrier, which is placed under the seat in front of the passenger throughout the flight. PAL’s announcement says the carrier must be soft-sided and leak-proof, with pee pads and at least two ventilation panels.
The combined weight of the pet and carrier is capped at 10 kilograms, while the carrier dimensions specified in the latest report are 46 cm × 32 cm × 20 cm.
For pet owners, the biggest attraction is obvious: their animals can remain close instead of being separated from them during the journey.
The ₱2,500 price tag comes with rules
The starting fee of ₱2,500 one way applies to FurPAL on PAL domestic routes, but passengers should not treat the fee as a simple add-on that guarantees boarding.
PAL’s pet-travel requirements still apply, and travelers are responsible for preparing the necessary documentation and equipment.
PAL’s existing FurPAL guidelines for in-cabin pets require documents such as veterinary health certification, updated anti-rabies vaccination records and a Bureau of Animal Industry shipping permit, alongside the airline’s required forms.
The airline also requires pets to remain secured in their carriers during the flight.
PAL’s pet program has come a long way
FurPAL was initially introduced in late 2025 as a program for small dogs traveling in the cabin on selected routes, including flights involving Boracay, Bohol and Siargao.
In February 2026, PAL expanded the service to all domestic flights, allowing eligible small dogs to travel in-cabin for ₱2,500 one way. GMA News and PhilSTAR reported the nationwide rollout and the strict carrier, documentation and weight requirements.
The latest expansion now brings cats into the same in-cabin program.
That means a service that began as a limited offering for dog owners has evolved into a broader pet-travel option for Filipino travelers.
There is an important update to PAL’s website
For accuracy, there is a noteworthy detail travelers should be aware of.
PAL’s publicly accessible FurPAL webpage still contains language saying that only pet dogs are currently allowed and that the service would be available to cats soon. It also lists the program’s earlier dog-specific terms and conditions.
However, PAL has since announced the cat expansion, and GMA News independently reported the September 5 announcement, confirming that cats can now travel in the cabin on domestic flights.
Because the airline’s online terms appear to be in the process of being updated, cat owners should confirm the latest booking requirements directly with PAL before paying for a ticket or arriving at the airport.
This distinction is important because pet-travel rules can determine whether an animal is accepted for boarding.
Not every pet can simply walk onto a PAL plane
FurPAL is not a free-for-all for animals.
PAL’s broader pet policy distinguishes between its special in-cabin FurPAL service and other forms of animal transportation. Its general travel information says pets may be accepted as checked baggage subject to aircraft, documentation and other requirements, while ordinary pets are not generally carried in the passenger cabin outside applicable programs such as FurPAL or service-animal provisions.
For FurPAL passengers, the animal must satisfy the airline’s conditions, fit safely beneath the seat and remain contained.
That means pet owners should check the specific aircraft, documentation and current FurPAL rules before traveling rather than assuming that every PAL flight will automatically accommodate a pet.
Why the move matters
The expansion comes as more travelers increasingly treat pets as members of the family rather than animals that must simply be left behind during vacations or family trips.
For PAL, FurPAL also creates another way to differentiate its domestic passenger experience.
The airline has described the program as part of its effort to make travel more inclusive and comfortable for passengers traveling with their pets. The latest expansion effectively broadens that proposition from “bring your dog” to “bring your small dog or cat.”
And for Filipino cat owners, the change could be significant.
A weekend trip, family visit or domestic vacation no longer necessarily means arranging for someone else to care for a cat at home — provided the pet and passenger meet PAL’s requirements.
The bottom line
PAL’s FurPAL program now welcomes eligible small cats alongside small dogs on domestic flights, with fees starting at ₱2,500 one way.
But the convenience comes with strict rules on carriers, weight, documentation, seating and in-flight handling.
And because PAL’s online FurPAL terms have not yet fully caught up with the newly announced cat policy, travelers should verify the latest requirements directly with PAL before booking.
WWC ONE MEDIA M.JE
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