When we first met our rescue dog, Coconut, she was named “Itty Bitty,” weighed barely 10 pounds and came with a slight dent above her right eye (she was born with it) that gives her a perpetual eye-lift. She had several quirks — she would steal LEGOs to chew on, make “nests” in the bushes outside, and loved to sneak acorns and sticks into the house and hide them under her dog bed. Now, aside from the occasional stick-and-acorn clean up, she’s the perfect little dog.
This summer we’re hoping to spend an extended amount of time outside of the United States, where we live, and the idea of taking a flight to another country without Coconut isn’t an option anymore. She’s is a part of our family and from now on, where we go, so does she. But traveling with a pet, especially internationally, isn’t always the easiest. There are vet visits, USDA forms to send off, specific airline reservations to make and navigating pet entry rules between countries. Despite this, it is possible to travel internationally with your dog — and finding the right pet carrier is an important step on your journey.
It’s important to remember not every airline has the exact same dimension or weight requirements for pet travel. Most airlines require you to make an additional reservation for your dog over the phone, according to Conde Nast Traveler, so be sure to ask for specifications on carriers. Don’t assume you’ll be automatically permitted to add your pup to the flight — it can be dependent on how many pets are already booked in-cabin with other passengers, breed-related restrictions, and the weight of your dog. And definitely don’t assume because you’ve found an airline that allows in-cabin dogs that you can show up the airport without a pet reservation, or a carrier that isn’t going to fit beneath the seat.
Most of the airlines we researched for this article — Delta, Air France, United, KLM, and Lufthansa — require a soft-sided pet carrier that measures roughly 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 9.5 inches in height. (Because every airline is slightly different in in its size and weight requirements, you may see a few options on the list ahead that are close but don’t exactly match these dimensions. Always confirm directly with the airline before committing to a carrier.)
And yes, you should be careful about the combined weight of your pet and the carrier, since they may be weighed inside of the carrier. If you splurge on a carrier with padding and attachments, you might be adding extra weight to the overall limit including your pup’s, which is something to keep in mind before traveling.
A no-frills option that’s well-reviewed
This Gorilla Grip carrier is for smaller pets with a weight limit of 15 pounds, but it fits within the specifications of some airlines that offer in-cabin pet travel. Measuring at 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 11 inches in height, it takes the guesswork out and anxiety out of whether or not you’ll have a persnickety flight agent with a ruler. And despite the bag being on the lower price point side, the Gorilla Grip carrier doesn’t use a cardboard base, but a sturdy plastic one along with padded fleece inserts that are easy to remove and wash. It’s also highly reviewed on Amazon, with over 1,000 reviews and 4.6 stars.
Promising review: “I love that the design is 3 of the 4 sides are mesh and the top is mesh too- so our little Yorkie can see out without worry. The zippers are easy to use, and I love that there is access through the top. The length of the strap is sufficient and you can use either the shoulder strap or the handles to grab onto for ease of traveling. Quality seems to be good- the inside has the removable hard surface which is covered in a soft carpet for comfort. The carpet cover can come off to wash. If there are any issues, I’ll update my review. But overall I’m happy with the purchase for my travel needs while flying.” — JennySaysSo
A soft carrier with multiple exits
Reviewers loved the multiple door zip options with this carrier from Chewy, and its price. The Jespet soft-sided carrier is one of the more reasonable options you can find, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in quality, according to shoppers. Many of the reviewers on Chewy pointed out the carrier is sturdy and secure, and that the padded straps are well-constructed. It comes in two sizes, but the small/medium option is the only one that fits within most airline regulations for in-cabin carriers, at 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 11.5 inches high.
Promising review: “Great for Air Travel. I got this carrier for a cross-country flight with two cats. This carrier performed very well. It made it easier to handle 18 lbs of cat through many different situations in the airport. The frame is surprisingly sturdy and made a good armrest as well. Overall I was very pleased and definitely recommend this carrier for flights.” — Lucy
Amazon
A colorful option with a super-cozy fleece interior
This adorable premium pet carrier by PetAmi comes in several color options to best match your pup’s look. The carrier isn’t just all about aesthetics either – it also comes with a collapsible bowl attached to the bag, safety straps to help prevent any sky-high escapes, a place for a visible name tag and more thoughtful designs that make this an easy choice for pet travel. The carrier has soft sherpa bedding and is designed to have plenty of ventilation and ways to interact with your pet safely while still inside their carrier.
Promising review: “Collapsible and well made. Flexible and could fit easily under various airline seat heights. Solid construction and lots of mesh as well. There are pockets which make keeping treats and a waterbowl nearby easy. The only thing that would make this bag better would be an additional zippered top opening.” — Katrina
A small-dog carrier with a ton of neat features
Sold at Wayfair, this soft-sided collapsible pet carrier for smaller dogs looks super functional. It also comes in several colors so you can match to Fido’s collar. Reviewers remarked the pet carrier is slightly smaller than expected, but that the quality is precisely as described and well-made. It has mesh panels at the top and upper sides for ventilation and viewing, and external pockets to store treats, doggie bags and a few toys for your flight. It’s also made with 600-denier Oxford fabric for durability and longevity of use, and a removable fleece travel bed. (Note that it’s available in two sizes, and we recommend the smaller one for your flight – depending on the airline, of course.)
Promising review: “Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Smaller than expected but works well. It’s well made and I like that it has a small zipper on the side that you can use to slide your hand in and pet.” — MaureenMarlborough
Amazon
A secure carrier for any would-be Houdinis
Mr. Peanut’s is a pet brand I saw mentioned a few times in the Flying with Dogs Facebook group and this carrier in particular from the brand is airline approved. The soft sided “Gold Series Tote” has self locking zippers, a plush faux fleece bedding and a durable base to help maintain the carrier’s shape. It’s the priciest option on this list for $120 and measures in size at 16 inches in length, 10 inches in height and can hold a pet that is up to 15 pounds. The carrier is waterproof, with several breathable mesh panels, a plywood base (not plastic or cardboard that is used in some of the less expensive options), comfortable shoulder straps and seatbelt attachments for car travel. The bag also comes with several storage pockets and is approved for flights on Delta, Southwest, United, American, Virgin and more. And this carrier has over 2,000 reviews and comes is ranked 4.6 stars from Amazon.
The self-locking zippers are particularly cool, having from experience watched my late great mutt, Lola, Houdini her way out of a carrier mid-flight and the proceed to dash under the seats several rows away from where we were sitting.
Promising Review: “I bought 3 carriers from 3 brands and this is my favourite and most used carrier. In this case, you do get what you pay for. Lots of ventilation, reinforced handles and straps, top opening as well as end opening and the ability to run a seatbelt through part of the frame to secure it in the car. The frame is very stable and does not collapse onto the pet inside. The washable comfort cover on the base is a bonus. I highly recommend this carrier for a small to medium cat or small dog. ” — Vicki D
A Birkin-esque bag for the tiny barker in your life
When you want to strut into the airport with some Parisian flair that doesn’t sacrifice function for style, then snag this Amazon hidden gem that looks like just a designer bag. It might not be Hermès-made, but it is a pretty chic little carrier that adheres to most airline flight requirements for in-cabin pets. There are several colors in faux leather to choose from — even an imitation crocodile pattern — and each bag comes with a color coordinated leash, mesh sides and a removable base pad.
This is truly a bag only meant for petite Chihuahuas or similar tiny pups, since the carrier is light weight and designed to only hold up to 8 pounds.
Promising review: “6 pound Pomeranian fits well! I got this purse for my new Pomeranian puppy. It’s probably one of my favorite purchases for my pup. The bottom pad to hold it open and keep it clean is perfect. She is comfortable inside and it’s easy to take her with me. I wish it had a better outside zipper pocket. It’s not as wide as I’d like. I bought the “grey” purse but it’s definitely a blue grey not a solid grey, but it’s a nice color. “ — Lokiwan
A trusted carrier with a boarding guarantee
This deluxe carrier from Sherpa is a part of their Guaranteed On-Board (GOB) program, which truly takes the stress level down in finding the most appropriate and airline approved carrier for your travels. Once you’ve purchased the bag you need to follow the instructions on the packaging to verify the carrier is within your airline’s specifications. And if your pet for some reason is not allowed to board due to the carrier size, then Sherpa will refund you and your pet’s travel fee. But be sure to check the instructions carefully, because some restrictions and limitations do apply and the GOB program is only valid for select major airlines or domestic flights in US and Canada.
The Sherpa carrier is a frequently reviewed and preferred choice on pet sites and Facebook groups for pet flying. It has three mesh panels for optimal ventilation and a removable machine liner that’s washable faux lambswool wrapped around the bottom base. The carrier measures at 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 10.5 inches in height, and it weighs three pounds.
Promising review: “Great carrier! Very well ventilated with enough viewing scope for the pet inside which was critical in our case as my dog is not comfortable at all in enclosed spaces. The flexible frame is very important coz even though the Large size carrier exceeds allowable dimensions on most flights, the flexible frame allows to adjust to fit below the plane seat. The look is simple and classy and carrier is pretty light weighted. The chain on top is extremely vital as I could have my dog pop his head out from inside while I carry him or even during the flight to check on him. Not all carriers have this design. I have a 15lb Shih Tzu that fit well in this carrier. ” — JenilP
A lookalike of a trendy carrier (for less than half the price)
This is the bag I’ve been eyeing and we’ll likely snag for Coconut. It’s one of those options that meets all of the TSA requirements, comes well reviewed and is chic — something you don’t always find when it comes to a functional dog carrier. The Buddy’s Best soft-sided carrier has ample mesh paneling on three sides to let you pup sightsee and look around, and keep things well ventilated. And despite the soft sides, it’s designed to be durable enough to keep its shape underneath the seat without collapsing. It can also easily be strapped to the top of any rolling suitcase to free up your shoulders from carrying the extra bag. The durable carrier is designed for dogs up to 24 pounds, and comes with resilient shoulder straps and sturdy handles. There are also several different strap options to go with the camo print design.
And in case of any spills or accidents, the padding at the bottom is easy to remove, and the waterproof base helps to keep the carrier usable for more than just a one-way flight. It also bears a striking resemblance to this small Roverlund carrier, which retails for $128 right now.
Promising review: “Great quality, perfect for plane travel. The quality of this carrier is excellent! My pup did his first flight on Thanksgiving; the airport was chaotic, but he felt safe in his carrier. He had plenty of room to turn, nap, and look out on the mesh panels. When we weren’t in motion, I unzipped the top so he could poke his head out and see. The neon orange is great because it’s so bright, and the handles are very sturdy. The strap pad on the crossbody part is comfortable, and the carrier is lightweight. I’d recommend a small blanket to pad the bottom to make it comfier for your pet. This carrier is half the cost of another pet carrier company, and made even better. I flew American Airlines and had no issues firing this under the seat, or checking him on the plane with me.” — Amazon customer
A backpack carrier for mountain or sky-high flying
If you’re more of the hiking sort, or coveted Taylor Swift’s cat backpack, then check out the PetAmi expandable pet backpack carrier. It’s still within most airline pet carrier specifications at 12.5 inches in length, 10.2 inches in width and16.3 inches in height with a weight limit of 18 pounds. The backpack carrier is available in several colors at Target, and even includes a poop bag dispenser (because you are a responsible pet owner) and additional pockets for storage. There’s thick padding at the shoulder straps for your comfort and straps that buckle at the waist and chest for secure support. The backpack carrier also has a zipper on the side that provides expandable room for your dog once you’re seated for a flight.
Promising review: “Great carrier for the pups! I really like this for on the go day trips with the pups. The extension allows for more room for either one of them to move around. We have two pups so I think we will be ordering one more!” — GN Faustino
A rolling carrier with wheels for anyone sprinting (safely) to their gate
A wheeled option is this carrier from Ruff Life 101 that’s approved for most airlines and is also expandable for additional room. It’s designed to fit under cabin seats on most major airlines, and comes with an adjustable strap for when you need to go from the wheeled base to carrying your pet. It also has 360 rotation for swift mobility and two expandable sides for additional room, along with an interior wire structure to help keep the carrier from collapsing. At 18 inches in length, it’s a little longer than what some airlines will allow, but does meet common requirements for width and height.
Promising review: “I bought this carrier to take my 17 year old dog on a bucket list trip to the Florida Keys. If you are looking for an airline approved carrier, look no further. Get this one. Not only does it work as a carrier, but it worked when I take my little old dog for long walks and he needs a rest…The carrier did work well while on top of the suitcase with the suitcase strap that is on the carrier…Taking the carrier off the metal wheel base, and putting the carrier back on the wheel base was a breeze. This is an amazing product.” — Amazon reviewer
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