India, Dec. 3 -- A flight from Los Angeles to St. Louis operated by Southwest Airlines on November 26 saw an unusual in-cabin "passenger": a grey cat that slipped out of its carrier during the busy Thanksgiving-travel rush.

The incident, captured on video by passenger Jason Thompson and shared on Instagram, shows a beaming flight attendant carrying the apparently calm cat through the aisles.

An intercom announcement urged the owner to identify themselves: "If you have a cat . your cat is missing once again." After a few minutes, the actual owner stepped forward, and the cat was returned to its carrier.

Social media zeroed in on the kitten's cool composure. Comments flowed in praising the cat as well as the flight attendant's gentle han...