Airline Travel Crates – How do I know which one is best for my pet? - Updated 11/25/2024

By: Bridget Monrad, R.N. | Apr 24, 2015

---

Updated 11/25/2024

When traveling by air, your pet must travel in a carrier (also called a travel crate) that is acceptable & meets the guidelines of the airlines, as they have strict live animal safety rules set forth by IATA and the USDA. This pet crate/container must not only meet airline regulations, but it must properly fit your dog or cat, to avoid the risk of being turned away for their flight at check-in. This blog will shed light on the most important aspects of selecting the proper size and brand of crate for your furry family member! Here we will focus on cats & dogs. Other animals require specific shipping containers based on their species such as birds and reptiles.

Why does my pet need a crate?

Your pet needs a crate when traveling by air to ensure safety and containment. The same principle applies to human passengers fastening their seatbelts in the cabin. Their crate serves as their temporary home while in transit, so they need a familiar setting. Making sure your dog or cat’s crate meets airline and IATA requirements is key to ensuring they have a safe and pleasant journey.

What do these crates look like?

Airline approved crates are made of 4-side hard plastic material. The metal, wire crates are not suitable for travel as they are deemed “collapsible”. These crates must meet IATA guidelines and have the following requirements:

• The floor must be solid and leak proof
• The container door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system, and be of metal grate design
• The crate must be ventilated on all 4 sides
• No wheels, unless they are detachable
• No plastic door
• No top door
• Not collapsible
• A handle is acceptable for smaller kennels, but not required
• The door and windows cannot have gaps larger than 1 inch x 1 inch for dogs or ¾ inch x ¾ inch for cats
• Metal bolts (which may be covered in plastic) must be used to secure the top and bottom of the crate together.
• No side clips
• Live Animal Stickers with arrows pointing up are required on 3 sides, as well as green Live Animal description stickers. Happy Tails Travel is provides these to clients in their Pet Travel Packet

Here is a picture of a typical airline approved carrier: 

Is there a difference between cabin and cargo crates?

The above description meets the IATA airline requirements for pets traveling as cargo, or in the part of the plane where animals are kept. While this compartment is in the cargo area of the plane, it is separated from where the luggage and packages are located and is pressurized, oxygenated, and temperature-controlled specifically designed for live animals flying. Smaller animals (very small dogs and cats) can sometimes travel in the cabin under the seat in front of you if the plane has adequate room and can accommodate live animals. Cabin carriers are slightly different than cargo crates, as they have to be quite small to comply with the tight space available under the passenger seat.

Carriers for in-cabin travel must still be approved but can be hard-sided or soft-sided. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times; your pet is not allowed to come out of its kennel for any reason during the flight. The animal must be able to stand up and turn around completely.

The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels for in-cabin travel are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm). The recommended maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels for in-cabin travel are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Soft-sided pet carriers may exceed these dimensions slightly, as they are collapsible and able to conform to under-seat space without blocking the aisle. For cargo travel, size compatibility depends on the airline and whether it is domestic or international travel. The maximum dimensions for most domestic flights are 40 inches long x 27 inches wide x 30 inches high. There are a few domestic airlines that allow larger crates but have extremely limited options and availability. International travel does allow larger crate sizes, if needed, but can also be limited based on the individual airlines and available aircraft.

How do I know what the right size crate is for my pet?

The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down without restriction. Each animal must have at least 2-3 inches clearance from the top of their ears or head (whichever is higher) to the roof of the inside of the kennel for domestic flights, and at least 3-4 inches of clearance for international flights.

Happy Tails Travel provides all clients with detailed instructions on how to measure each of your pets to ensure that you get a kennel that is the best fit for them. The key is measuring your pet and taking the following dimensions: length of animal from nose to root/base of tail; height from ground to elbow joint; width across the shoulders; height of animal in a natural standing or sitting position (top of head for pets with non-erect ears – from tip of ears for pets with erect ears).

There is a formula to combine these dimensions in order to determine what size crate your pet requires while traveling. Please keep in mind for international travel, your pets will require one size larger than they typically would need for domestic flights as they will be in there for longer periods of time and will need more space for their comfort.

Can I rent a crate?

Crates can sometimes be rented; however, it can end up costing more and be less comfortable for the pet in the long run. The crate is your pet’s safe place while they travel, and you want them to be as familiar with it as possible. Crates should be purchased as far in advance as possible, so that your pet has time to acclimate to it and see it as a “home” or “safe place”. If you are unable to find a crate on your own, we at Happy Tails Travel would be more than happy to assist you in purchasing the crate that is best suited for your pet family member.

What can go in my pet’s crate with them?

Items in your pet’s kennel should be kept to a minimum during travel. They should have 2 specialized crate bowls that are able to attach to the crate door and be reached without needing to open the crate. One of the bowls should be filled with about ¾ of the way with water and frozen overnight before the flight. The other cup should remain empty in the crate for use of dry food feeding in case of an unexpected or delayed layover.

A waterproof, or sheepskin type material custom fit crate pad is also ideal for your pet’s comfort and to encourage them to sleep once the plane is airborne. It is required to have some type of absorbent material. You can also put a towel or small blanket with a familiar scent (theirs or your own) to make them more at ease and give them something familiar to travel with. Pet clothing, leashes, and toys are strictly prohibited from being in the crate with your pet while they travel as it can be a safety risk.

Special Considerations

Snub nose breeds, also known as brachycephalic, have special requirements as they are more prone to health concerns while flying. These breeds include, but are not limited to: American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Brussels Griffon, Pug, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, Pekingese, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, and Tibetan Spaniel. As of 2019, these breeds are no longer eligible for domestic air travel within the United States.

For international travel, snub nose breeds typically cannot fly if the temperature is above 80 degrees at any location on their travel itinerary. They also must have at least 3 inches of clearance from the top of their ears or head (whichever is taller) and the top of the kennel. Also, snub nose breeds must travel in a crate size larger than what their measurements suggest in order to give them extra space. As long as you follow these instructions and your vet clears your pet for flight, they will be in good hands.

Another consideration are breeds that are listed as “dangerous”. While at Happy Tails Travel, we love each and every pet regardless of breed, unfortunately certain breeds have stigmas that make traveling more difficult. These breeds include: American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Ca de Bous, Cane Corso’s, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario’s, Pit Bull Terriers, Presa Canario’s, and Tosas. Unfortunately, as of 2019, most of these breeds are also no longer eligible for domestic air travel.

Also in 2019, the size of pets traveling domestically has become a factor that has greatly limited the number of larger breed dogs that can fly. These may include, but not limited to: Great Danes, German Shepherds, Saint Bernards, Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers, Doberman Pinchers, Alaskan Malamutes, and more.

Each airline has different requirements regarding breeds and sizes, so we will do our best to find an airline that accepts your pet or can offer you a safe alternative to air travel, our By Ground Safe and Sound transport.

Red flags that it is not the right crate

Please pay attention to these easy- to- read signs that the crate you have is not appropriate for your furry family members:

• The crate looks cheap and flimsy
• The crate is damaged; missing bolts, cracks in the plastic, door not working correctly
• The crate has wheels that are not removable
• The crate door is plastic or has gaps larger than ¾ inch x ¾ inch or 1 inch x 1 inch
• The crate is made of wire or collapsible material
• The crate does not fasten shut completely
• The crate only fastens shut with plastic bolts or clips
• Your pet’s movements are restricted – they are not able to sit, stand, or turn around comfortably
• There is not at least 2-3 inches of clearance between your pet’s head or ears (whichever is higher) and the top of the crate

While there are many requirements, these are simply to ensure that your pet stays safe and comfortable while traveling. At Happy Tails Travel, we are here to help ship your pet by Air with Care! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-323-1718 or 520-299-3315 for assistance in selecting the appropriate crate for your VIP furry family member!