Air travel with pets is always an adventure. Of course, even the best adventures come with some stresses and struggles. Choosing the right pet carrier can go a long way toward ensuring a comfortable, smooth trip for both you and your pet.
“A carrier is your pet’s home away from home and a haven from the travel unknowns,” notes Michael Leung, co-founder and lead product designer of Sleepypod, a leading manufacturer of premium pet beds and pet accessories. “It’s important to choose products that streamline travel for you while making travel comfortable for your pet, and mitigate stress for you both.”
Determining the best pet carrier option for air travel can be a bit complex. We’ve navigated the details and condensed the most important information for you to help make the best possible decision.
Photo credit: Sleepypod
Airline regulations for carriers
While every airline has slightly different pet carrier regulations, there are some guidelines that are common to most airlines.
To protect pet travelers and keep them safe, airline regulations for below-cabin pet carriers tend to be very stringent, so there is little wiggle-room in terms of choice. In general, carriers must be made from hard-sided plastic that’s secured with metal bolts. They must be airline-approved, they must be front-loading with only one entry point, and they must feature a secure side lock.
In-cabin carrier regulations offer more flexibility. They may be made of plastic or fabric, and they generally don’t require locks or a specific number of entry points. Hard-sided, non-collapsible carriers have to be small enough to fit easily under the airplane seat. Soft-sided, collapsible carriers can be slightly larger, but not so large that they have to collapse excessively to fit beneath the seat. Carriers should have adequate ventilation and sufficient padding, and must be spacious enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around,and lie down comfortably.
Flight-specific carrier features to look for
The sights, sounds, and novelty of a flight can be stressful for your pet. Look for a carrier that’s comfortable, with features like soft padding and/or integrated bedding. An integrated privacy panel is a good option for nervous pet travelers, as it will minimize visual stimuli.
Air travel with your pet isn’t just about the flight. You also have to get him through the airport safely and securely. Consider choosing a carrier that’s brightly colored, as this will make it easier for you to spot it in the crowds, and harder for other travelers to mistake it for their own luggage.
You will be required to remove your pet at the TSA checkpoint. A carrier with an integrated tether, used in combination with a pet harness, will help prevent your pet from escaping. The harness will help you easily and safely attach a leash for potty breaks and short walks.
In the hustle and bustle of travel, convenience is key. A carrier with easy-to-reach storage pockets for medications, treats, water, and cleaning supplies can be a lifesaver. In addition, look for a model that can be strapped across your chest, or one that has wheels and can easily be maneuvered with one hand, leaving the other hand free.
Measuring your pet
You can be turned away at check-in if your pet doesn’t meet your airline’s size requirements or your carrier isn’t adequately sized for your pet. Before purchasing a carrier, it’s important to know your airline’s specifications well and to measure your pet carefully, especially if he’s on the borderline in terms of size.
Measuring your pet is a fairly simple process. Using a soft tape measure, measure him from his collar area to the base of his tall for his length, adding a few inches for his head. For his height, measure him from the ground to the tips of his ears. His width should be measured from shoulder to shoulder.
Choosing the right carrier
Determining the specific air travel features you need/want your carrier to have is essential. But carriers vary widely in terms of safety, durability, and security, so it’s equally important to research a carrier’s brand, make, model, and type before purchasing. Ideally, you want a sturdy, water-resistant, scratch-resistant container that closes securely and is safety-tested.
One carrier model that checks all of these boxes is the Sleepypod Air. It’s sturdy, yet soft, it has a secure closure, and it’s crash-tested to child safety standards. It also offers a lot of flight-friendly features: it comes in a variety of different colors, it has comfortable, integrated bedding, and it’s even expandable for maximum comfort after takeoff and before landing. When your flight’s over, it can be used in the car as a pet car seat, and at the hotel as a pet bed.
The takeaway
While a carrier may seem like a minor detail, investing the time and effort in finding the best possible option can actually work wonders to alleviate stress and ensure that you and your pet have a safe and comfortable flight, no matter where your travels take you.
Pet policies on the largest airlines in the US
Pet policies on the largest airlines in the US
Many pet owners prefer traveling with their fluffy companions, and most airlines make it possible to bring them on board. That said, traveling with Fido may take more preparation than just packing your bag.
Airlines typically allow small pets in carriers in the passenger cabin for an additional fee. Some large dog owners test those limits. In 2023, traveler Gabriel Bogner bought two extra seats for his Great Dane to travel with him on a cross-country flight, but that strategy may not work for everyone.
Flying can be stressful for pets, so their comfort is important. The International Air Transport Association has guidelines for how large pet carriers must be to ensure your pet’s comfort, yet fit underneath the seat or in the cargo hold. Many airlines consider pets to be a passenger’s carry-on item, so you’ll only be able to bring a personal item on board in addition to your furry companion.
Some dogs need a little more TLC before they fly. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed dogs like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs can have more problems with breathing or overheating, particularly when they’re stressed or experience temperature fluctuations, which can happen in a cargo hold. Some airlines, like Delta, restrict the breeds it will fly. If you own these types of dogs, know the risks and allow time for training your pet to weather the flight.
Service animals have fewer restrictions and no fees, but don’t expect to bring just any animal on board with that classification. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration put an end to flying with emotional support animals that could range from ducks to pigs by ruling that only dogs trained specifically to assist with their human’s disability can be called service animals. If you’re flying with a service dog, you may need to show the airline a special form for them to fly.
To help travelers and their furry family members prepare for their flight, CitizenShipper explored the pet policies of the five largest U.S. airlines. The largest U.S. airlines were defined as those with the highest passenger-mile volume from July 2022 to June 2023 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Pet owners should always double-check with airlines well before flying to ensure the airline’s pet policies haven’t changed.
Alaska Airlines
On Alaska Airlines, trained service animals fly free, but the airline currently charges $100 to $150 per pet depending on whether they fly in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in its main cabin, but they must fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat.
Owners must reserve a spot for their pet before the day of travel, and space is limited—first class has space for three pet carriers per flight, while the main cabin has room for eight carriers.
Pets weighing up to 150 lbs. (including its carrier) can travel in the baggage compartment. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits, household birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, potbellied pigs, and tropical fish.
United Airlines
United no longer transports pets in cargo holds—the airline suspended that program, called PetSafe, in 2018 after several mishaps that included the death of a dog and dogs going to the wrong cities.
The airline now only allows passengers to carry on a cat or a dog. While the airline doesn’t have restrictions on breeds or weights, the pet must be able to stand up and turn around in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you, which does limit the size of pet you can bring on (unless it’s a service dog).
United’s fees for pets are currently $125 each way, with additional fees for domestic layovers that are more than four hours and international layovers that are more than 24 hours. United also does not allow pets to travel to Hawaii and a number of other countries, including Australia, the Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.
Southwest
Owners of small domestic cats and dogs can bring their pets on Southwest flights, provided they aren’t going to Hawaii or any international destination. Hawaii requires a quarantine period for incoming pets, other than service dogs, to maintain its rabies-free environment.
Pets require reservations, and owners must pay $125 each way per pet carrier. Flights have a limited number of spaces available for pets, and they’re offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cats and dogs need to stay in carriers from the time they arrive at the gate until they deplane at their destination. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier, but up to two pets of the same species can be in a carrier, provided they can stand and move around in that space.
During the flight, pets stay under the seat in front of their owner, which eliminates the opportunity to sit in the exit row or bulkhead. If you’re worried about the size of your carrier, Southwest does sell an approved version.
Delta
Delta allows pet owners to take small dogs, cats, and household birds as carry-on luggage, provided they stay in a ventilated pet carrier that will fit under a seat. Because Delta flies so many different types of planes, it’s helpful to check the aircraft’s dimensions to make sure your carrier will fit before you fly.
Fees range from $75 to $200 each way, depending on your destination. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s important to find out whether your destination will allow incoming pets.
Although Delta has a program to fly larger dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians through Delta Cargo, the company has temporarily embargoed this service, unless you’re an active military or foreign service officer with orders to permanently change stations.
American Airlines
American Airlines only allows small cats and dogs that can fit in under-seat carriers in the aircraft cabin. The airline recommends using a soft-sided carrier because a hard-sided one may have issues fitting under the seat on American Eagle’s regional airplanes.
The airline only allows seven carriers on American flights and five on American Eagle, one of which is in first class, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll have to have your flight reservation first, then you can add a carry-on pet to it. The fee for carry-on pets is $125 each way.
Larger breeds must fly via American Airlines Cargo’s PetEmbark service and the cost can be estimated using their rate calculator. More planning may be necessary to ship larger animals—American won’t allow pets to travel in cargo in extreme heat or cold.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
This story originally appeared on CitizenShipper and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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