Airline Pet Carriers

Home » Information » Pet Travel by Air » Airline Pet Carriers

Airline Pet Carriers Your Pet Safe and Comfortable When Flying in the Cabin

You should think carefully when selecting an airline pet carrier. This will provide your pet a safe and comfortable place to be when taken out of its environment. There is nothing more important than your pet’s safety and a good quality airline pet carrier will provide that.

The first thing to do is to be sure that the airline that serves your route permits pets to travel in the cabin. Airline rules for pets traveling in-cabin vary, however, many airlines will allow small cats, dogs or household birds to travel with an adult passenger in the cabin (except when traveling to the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Hong Kong and several other countries that require pets to enter as cargo).

Know the Amount of Space You Have to Store Your Pet Carrier

You will need to be sure that your pet’s size and weight is according to airline regulations. Normally, pets up to 18″ long (tip of nose to base of tail) and weighing about 11-15 pounds should comply with airline policies, but these do vary with each airline.

Note: you can call the airlines and inquire as to the aircraft that serves your route. They will tell you how much room is under the seat in front of you. Try booking a window or middle seat if the airline confirms that there are no electronics under these seats.

Although the size standards vary by airline, here are the average maximum carrier measurements that airlines generally allow:

Hard-sided kennels – 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm)
Soft-sided kennels – 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm)

Carrier Requirements

Your pet’s carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and must have the following features:

Your pet carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you
Your pet carrier must be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably.
Your pet carrier must enclose your entire pet – your pet’s head cannot stick out of the carrier.
Your pet carrier must have a waterproof bottom – be sure and also get some good pet pads.
Your pet carrier must have adequate ventilation – at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 sides (international)
Your pet carrier must have security (zippers, not snaps) – we carry zipper locks to accessorize your bag and keep zippers closed.
Your pet carrier should be a soft sided carrier as they will compress into smaller spaces than rigid carriers. Almost all airlines will accept soft-sided carriers.

Most people traveling with a pet in the cabin by air will choose a soft-sided airline pet carrier. The reason for this is that these carriers are flexible and will “squish” down to fit under the seat thus allowing for a larger pet due to the added height of the carrier. However, many pet travelers with very small dogs or cats such as toy breeds may choose a rigid carrier. As long as the height of the carrier is 7.5″ the carrier should fit unless you are traveling on a very small commuter or express airplane. In the case the rigid carrier has a wheel plate like the Snoozer carrier, the depth of the carrier is important because the carrier will be on its side when you put it under the seat.

You will also want to get a carrier with a strong, padded shoulder strap. Privacy panels are excellent ways to keep your pet calm and not expose them to airport activity. Also, you should protect your carrier with a pet pad. Accidents (especially with cats) can be difficult to wash out.

What about airline carriers on wheels? As convenient as pet carriers with wheels are, pet owners should remember that these carriers are made for smaller pets and they may not be a flexible as regular airline pet carriers. Snoozer makes carriers with wheels. Measure your pet carefully if you are thinking of getting one of these carriers.

Measure Your Pet

You will need to measure your pet from tip of nose to base of tail (A) and from the top of the head to the ground (B) when your pet is standing erect. (tip: use a piece of string, then measure the string) Compare these measurements to the interior measurements of your carrier. Your pet’s measurements should be slightly smaller than the carrier measurements.

The airlines will require that your pet can stand up and turn around comfortably in the carrier. If you stuff your pet into a carrier, you are not providing for your pet’s comfort and stand the risk of being turned away at the gate.

You will need to take your pet out of its carrier at the security checkpoint. For that reason, it is wise to carry a metal-free collar and leash with you. If you feel your pet could escape when removed from the carrier, ask for a security room. It will take a bit more time, but better than having your pet escape.

Please note that pets traveling in the cargo hold must use a cargo crate which differs from those shown above. More information on airline pet cargo crates.

Have a comment about your airline pet carrier? Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Comments

7 responses to “Airline Pet Carriers”

Natonga sherrell

January 22, 2025

I’m traveling with a dog (French bulldog)who weighs 36 pounds. Is he required to be in a pet carrier or can he sit at my feet

Reply
1. Susan
  
  January 22, 2025
  
  Sherrell – we are not aware of any commercial airline that will accept a 36 pound dog in the cabin unless proof is available that it is a service dog trained to perform a task for a disabled passenger. According to commercial airlines, the pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you to fly in the cabin if you are not flying a service dog. They also impose a weight limit of about 18 pounds for pets flying in the cabin. We understand it is difficult and risky to fly a Frenchie in the cargo hold, and most airlines will not accept this breed due to its flat nose. Look to Lufthansa if they serve you route. Know that an agent will be required to handle the transport as well.
  
  Reply
2. valentina
  
  February 13, 2025
  
  United Airlines will accept any pounds but should be comfortable in the soft carrier 18x11x11. Lufthansa is second chance on the hold; cargo is a better than hold baggage.
  
  Reply
Nancy Madonna

April 4, 2025

I’m flying DIA to BWI to pick up a purchased puppy and flying back to DIA 1 hr later same day. How do I get the pup from the owner without having to go out of the security area. Is the seller able to pass the pup to me somehow or how do we pass the pup from one to another?

Reply
1. Susan
  
  April 4, 2025
  
  Nancy – according to TSA security regulations, the public cannot pass through security without a boarding pass. You will need to leave the secure area to meet the seller and pass through again after securing the puppy. We are not aware of any exceptions.
  
  Reply
Eva

April 7, 2025

What do I do about bowel movements. Does the dog need to wear a disposable pad? Am I able to take him to the smoking area between flights?

Reply
1. Susan
  
  April 7, 2025
  
  Eva – you should taper down food for several days prior to flying. Second, you should line your carrier with several pet pads in case of an accident so you can pull out the soiled pad and a clean one is below. Third, almost every major airport has a pet relief area behind security that will allow for pets to relieve themselves.
  
  Reply