Flying kitties

I was wondering if anyone out there has ever shipped a cat anywhere, on an airplane? My step-sister is in California for a while, and she is going to fly me out there, and she wants me to bring her cat with me, and this cat will need to be sedated in some way because you put that cat into a carrier of any kind, and she goes nuts, making some of the most awful sounds I've heard a cat make in my life. Do you have to have a special carrier for her? Any info anyone can give me would be appreciated.
I do know that I have to have a health certificate for her, but that's all I know. Thank you for your input.

Grayse