Airline Approved Car Carriers – How to Choose the Right One

If you plan to take your dog with you on a plane, you will need a pet airline that is approved by the airline … and you must do your homework before buying it. The term “pet carrier” is rather generic so let’s start by breaking things down a little.
If you have a very small dog (such as one of the teacup breeds) then you can easily use a soft-sided carrier which is often just called a pet bag and you will be able to keep your dog with you in the cabin. If your dog is large (such as a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever) then you will actually need a hard-sided dog crate or dog cage and your pet will need to travel in the cargo section.
Between sized dogs or large-breed young puppies
For the in-between sized dogs or large-breed young puppies, things get a bit more tricky. You’ll need to be sure to measure the carrier, measure your dog, and check with the airline you will be using to see what their requirements are.
While airlines may vary slightly, here are some general guidelines for the sizes that will likely be accepted for in-cabin pet carriers.
- Small – 16″ long x 10″ wide x 8.5″ in height – suitable for pets up to 8 lbs
- Medium – 18″ long x 11″ wide x 10.5″ in height – suitable for pets up to 16 lbs
- Large – 20″ long x 11.75″ W x 11.5″ in height