I've taken Chewy on quite a few flights....from Cal to NJ and back again.
And once we went to NY instead of NJ.
The Vet gave me a mild sedative to give her, but I don't think she needed it. The plane ride made her sleepy anyway. I just used that once and never again.
Very important.........get the seat by an exit...ask ahead of time. That way you'll have lots of leg room and can put her in front of you or on the seat if no one is there. Most times, I kept her on my lap under the blanket, or on the seat next to me under the blanket. Just be cool and don't flaunt it and you can get away with anything. hehe
Also, ask for the leat popular flight, so there's not many people and you can have an empty seat next to you.
And, make sure you get at least one stopover (a couple of hours would be great) so you can get off and take her out and stretch. I always got off and took her outside where there was grass, and we would stay there or walk around till the flight was ready to go. And when I say stopover, if you can get a change of planes, that is better yet, because then there will be a good stopover..
Usually people are really nice to you and want to see your baby. In the terminals, I always took her out and carried her (make sure you're not carrying bags.....always check them in). When I sat down in the terminal, I took her out and let her walk around. I always went to a gate that was not populated, and sat way in the corner where not many people could see me.
