I flew with my little girl on Northwest. They did not even look in her carrier. I was very nervous about the size of her carrier but they did not even flinch. I did not sedate and kind of wish I did. She whined just about all of the 3.5 hour flight. But it was great to have her and I would do it again. When we went through security she was out of the carrier and everyone was very calm- they did not ask her to walk around or anything. Good luck!