We Tested Airline-Approved Pet Carriers On Real Flights And These Are The Best

A carrier designed to meet airline and TSA regulations must fully contain your pet as they will need to be fully enclosed for the flight (exceptions for any service animals). Experts agree that safety and comfort are key to keep in mind. “Ensure the carrier fits within the airline’s regulations, which usually require it to fit under the seat in front of you while still providing enough space for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably,” Dr. Eliza O’Callaghan, DVM, shared with The Spruce Pets.

We also strongly recommend machine washable linings, built-in trolley sleeves, mesh panel ventilation, and a structured but flexible build to make your travel day a breeze. Read on for our top picks.

The Tavo Dupree Carry On Pet Car Seat offers a sturdy construction with high-quality materials will keep your pet safe and comfortable during a flight. What really makes it stand out though is its dual functionality. In addition to complying with a majority of major airline regulations, this carrier also functions as a car seat, meaning you can strap your pet in safely on the way to the airport or once you reach your destination. Plus it’s impact tested for safety.

Our tester Koda, a 10-pound Pomeranian, was able to lie down and turn around comfortably in the carrier. It has a structured base made of hard plastic to support your pet. The carrier comes with two plush mattress pads, which are removable and machine washable, and it has mesh panels for plenty of ventilation. The inner tray can also be easily wiped down. The sides zip all the way down while maintaining structure in the rest of the carrier for easy access to your pet. This is especially helpful if you have an anxious animal, or just for water breaks. 

This carrier also includes features designed to make your travel day easier. It has zippered storage pockets on its exterior as well as a dedicated leash storage bag and tracking device holder that you can tuck an Apple AirTag into. There’s also a sturdy interior leash attachment to keep your pet secure. In addition to having a top handle, this carrier comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, which makes it easy to carry your pet for everyday use. While our human tester found this carrier to be on the heavier side, it also has a trolly sleeve that can be utilized on top of your suitcase for easier transport. 

Our canine tester found this carrier to be easy to step in and out of, but it also shuts securely and will keep your pet inside during travel. While flying in this carrier, Koda appeared to be at ease; her demeanor was calm and content, and she showed no signs of wanting to escape. Her human felt stress-free, knowing Koda was safe and comfortable. “While many carriers in this category tend to focus on being lightweight or easy to carry, the Dupree prioritizes sturdiness and premium design, making it feel far more secure and durable,” explains our tester, who also appreciated the carrier’s high-end aesthetics.

This carrier may be expensive, but we found it to be worth the premium price tag due to its quality, durability, and functional details. In addition to its practical safety features, it also features a stylish design with vegan leather accents. It comes in either black or merle, a light neutral shade.  

Available in two colors and two sizes for pets up to 20 pounds

Whether you’re on a budget or looking for a wallet-friendly pick for a teething puppy, Sherpa The Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is another great option. It may be more affordable than other picks on our list, but it doesn’t sacrifice your pet’s comfort or safety. 

This carrier, which supports pets up to 22 pounds, is structured in design with a firm bottom and three mesh walls for plenty of ventilation. Our tester, who used the carrier with a 9-year-old mixed breed dog, even describes it as “puncture-proof.” The interior has a soft mat for added comfort, which can be removed for simple cleaning. This carrier is also collapsable for easy storage.

Our canine tester is comfortable jumping into a carrier, but for less agile pups, this one opens on the side as well for easy access. It also features secure zippers to keep your pet from escaping mid-flight. For ease of getting through the airport, this carrier includes an exterior storage compartment and luggage strap. It has a top handle and a shoulder strap, but our tester notes that it felt heavy to carry using the shoulder strap alone. Luckily, it provides you with plenty of options to decide what is best for you and your pet.

Available in two colors and four sizes for pets up to 22 pounds

With scratch-resistant mesh, the Transpurrter Ultimate Calming Convertible Cat Carrier from Travel Cat is an excellent choice for air travel with a kitty companion (here are some of our favorite cat carriers for your other travel scenarios). If you have an anxious cat or one that is new to travel, this carrier is designed to offer a calming space with a black interior and a full blackout side panel to block out external stimulation.

If you’re looking for a backpack carrier that can also double as a duffle carrier, this versatile bag can be carried in multiple ways including as a duffle, a backpack, and on top of a suitcase. We found the bag to be easy to carry in all formations except as a crossbody bag. But the weight distribution might feel different for you with your cat inside. 

A leash tether is located inside so you can open up one of the panels to let your cat poke their head out. This is both adorable and very convenient for layovers, giving your cat the opportunity to see where they are without worrying that they will escape. To further foil any spur-of-the-moment urges to bolt from the bag, the zippers snap closed to prevent your cat from pawing it open. 

The carrier features external pockets for essentials, is easy to spot clean, and has an internal mat that can be removed and machine washed. 

Available in two colors and fits pets up to 30 pounds

A carrier on wheels can ease the load of lugging a heavier pet through the airport. The Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier Pro Edition can be paired with the Ready-to-Roll Pet Carrier Wheel Base for an even smoother transport option.

This high-quality carrier is designed with top and side entrances and a removable fleece lining that can be removed for easy cleaning. The bottom is also waterproof and leakproof in case of any accidents or spills. Our tester appreciated that the darker mesh paneling could act as a privacy panel for the carrier, making it harder for others to peek in. It comes in two sizes, fitting dogs up to 25 pounds, and is in compliance with most major airlines. There’s also a rear pocket with a removable insert that can be taken out to compress the carrier on a smaller airline. 

The wheel base is sized to fit the small and large sizes of the carrier for more mobility. The wheels moved smoothly and showed little signs of wear and tear after a few uses, though our tester did note that it was a little hard to control since it doesn’t have brakes. It comes with bungees that securely attach your pet carrier to the base and keep it in place during travel. Since the straps are ropes, they’re less comfortable to shoulder-carry, explains our tester, but felt secure enough to support a dog’s weight. 

Available in seven colors and two sizes for pets up to 25 pounds

If your dog is too big to fly in the main cabin—which for most airlines is around 20 pounds—then they will have to ride in the cargo section of the airplane. The best option we found is the Gunner G1 Kennel. It’s designed to keep your dog as comfortable as possible, with rotomolded double walls to regulate the temperature and absorb the impact for any bumps that may occur during takeoff, in the air, and when landing. You won’t be able to access your dog during your flight, so it’s important to make sure they are secure prior to boarding.

Your dog will need water in their kennel for the flight, and the recessed floor for this carrier will limit any discomfort they may experience in case of a spill. You can also add an orthopedic bed designed for the kennel or your dog’s favorite blanket.

The kennels are made in the United States and come with a lifetime warranty. There are four sizes available and all except the largest received a five-star crash test certification from the Center for Pet Safety.

To find the right size for your dog, Gunner offers an online tool that takes into consideration your dog’s weight and measurements with length from nose to base of tail and height from front paws to top of the head. The kennel has rear wheels to help with transport, but we found it necessary to have two adults at a minimum for moving, especially with a dog inside. And in case anyone with hands instead of paws gets stuck inside, the door can be opened from both sides by humans.

Available in four sizes and five colors

The Away Pet Carrier is sturdy, sleek, versatile, and easy to clean. Plus, it meets the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so it’s suitable for in-cabin use on most major airlines (always check with your flight provider). 

During the testing period, our Chihuahua-mix participant was comfortable and secure for the duration of a six-hour flight. The Away carrier’s leather and nylon exterior is structured enough to offer protection and stability, but has enough flexibility to squeeze into tight under-seat spaces. We also found it easy to carry by hand or over a shoulder, with double straps similar to a gym bag. 

The Pet Carrier has both internal and external pockets, including a side pocket with a waterproof lining and drainage holes—ideal for a collapsible water bowl. Mesh panels on three sides make for excellent ventilation, and each can also be unzipped for quick access to your pet, or covered with privacy panels to block external stimulation. The interior has a padded, fuzzy bed that is both removable and machine washable.

​​The carrier has a weight maximum of 18 pounds, which is lower than others on our list, but keep in mind that some airlines have a 20-pound weight maximum for pet and carrier combined. Airlines may weigh pets with their carriers on the luggage scale, and an 18-pound dog combined with the 4-pound Away travel carrier might lead to travel disruptions, so it’s a limit you’ll want to be conscious of before traveling.

This bag is expensive, but we found the craftsmanship of this pet carrier to be worth the premium. Away also provides a warranty for one year after purchase. It also comes with a dust bag for storage between flights. And to top it all off, this carrier received a five-star crash test rating certification from the Center for Pet Safety.

Available in one color and one size for pets up to 18 pounds

The Kyoto Pet Carrier from Dagne Dover is shaped like a go-to duffle bag, but designed to comfortably transport a pet instead of your gym essentials. It’s the most expensive pet carrier on our list, but we think it’s worth the price if the carrier fits your budget.

It’s equipped with various pockets for humans and pet essentials, including a sleeves within a zippered pocket for ID and/or passport. There is a trolley sleeve on top, two hand straps with an option to fasten them together, and a removable shoulder strap that we found to be comfortable. 

Upon introduction at home, our eight-pound canine traveler took to the bed immediately. The padded and removable cushion is covered with a fluffy polyester fabric that is similar to a crate mat. The bag is equipped with mesh zippered panels on each side and the top for easy access. This fine yet durable mesh allows for ventilation and two-way visibility, but doesn’t offer as much incognito transport for the passenger inside (your pet) as our pick for Best Tote, the Love Thy Beast Nylon Travel Pet Carrier. 

The Kyoto Pet Carrier is available in two sizes and we tested the large size with a Pomeranian that stands about 12 inches tall from toes to ears. We found it to be more comfortable for our tester to hang out inside with the top open when compared to the Wild One Travel Carrier, but the Dagne Dover duffle is also at least a hundred dollars more depending on the size you select. 

Two sizes and three colors

This versatile Wild One Travel Carrier has an internal padded mat that can be unfolded to expand giving your dog a cozy space to nap once you arrive at your destination. The bag has a cylindrical shape that does not allow for all small dogs to stand up inside when fully zipped up but does offer more space horizontally for them to spread out. Our tester dog, an eight-pound Pomeranian, had space to lay down, put their head up, and get comfortable, but if you’ve got a short-legged friend, like Dachshund, or a very petite pal, like a Chihuahua, then they’ll fit right in. 

The carrier is well made with durable zippers, allowing for flexibility in use and mesh paneling for airflow and to keep your dog in view. To get your dog acclimated to the bag, you can open up one of the sides to let them come in and out as they please, and when you are on the plane, you can unzip just the top to slide in a treat. I personally found this feature helpful when I used this carrier to pick up my then 2-pound puppy. She was shy and didn’t want to come out of the carrier at first, so I was able to zip it down to coax her out. The shoulder strap can be removed and used as a leash, and there are two additional padded handles for a comfortable and secure grip.

A slotted panel on the back allows you to place it on the handlebars of your suitcase or secure it in a car by passing a seatbelt through. However, unlike the Away Pet Carrier, this bag has not been crash test certified by the Center for Pet Safety. The carrier is available in black, green, and tan, and folds up flat for storage.

Available in three colors and fits pets up to 16 pounds

For a pet who may not be as comfortable in a confined space, an expandable carrier is a great option. The Frisco Single Soft Sided Expandable Airline Compliant Carrier has a side extension that folds out accordion-style to give your pet more room to move around in between flights. 

Overall, our tester found the carrier to feel high-quality in material and sturdy to use. It has smaller mesh panels for ventilation, side and top openings, and a plush lining that zips off for easy cleaning. It also comes with a water bottle and can collapse down to be pretty much flat for easy storage.

We used the carrier with a 15-pound mixed-breed dog who had not traveled in a carrier before. The carrier is recommended for dogs up to 22 pounds, but our tester notes that it was a bit of a tight fit. After a few rounds of practice, the dog eventually felt comfortable in the carrier. Plus, at $32, it’s a great value compared to the more pricier options on our list.  

Expandable style for pets up to 22 pounds

The Love Thy Beast Nylon Pet Travel Carrier is a soft-sided tote-style bag with two shoulder straps and a sturdy base so your pet can stand confidently. It’s made of nylon and canvas, and the internal panel, which is held in place with hook and loop straps, is easy to take out and wipe clean. It’s also very lightweight and suitable for daily use. 

Our eight-pound canine participant was able to stand up, sit, lay, and turn around inside the bag when fully zipped. The bag is designed to support dogs up to 25 pounds.

The two longer sides of the rectangular-shaped bag are opaque and each features a zippered pocket. One pocket is large enough to stash essentials such as puppy pads, a leash, and a collapsible water bowl. The other pocket is slimmer with dual zippers so it can also be used as a loop for a seatbelt or suitcase handlebars. The top and shorter sides are made from a durable mesh so you and your pet can keep an eye on each other.

We found that the mesh made it difficult for other passengers to see our furry traveler, and the bag has less structured protection than other carriers we tested, so be sure to give your aisle mates notice that your pet is inside so they can watch their step.

Available in red, black, green, and pink

How We Picked

Testing: We selected 15 bestselling and highly-rated pet carriers for real-world testing. Tests were conducted with both cats and dogs, with testers using the carrier on domestic flights. Our testers primarily tested the products on long, roundtrip flights, many six hours or more. Carriers were also tested on road trips, Amtrak travel, in the subway, and a variety of other travel scenarios, with many testers subjecting their carrier to a wide range of activities over several weeks or months. Some testing was completed during the peak holiday season, further stress-testing each of the carriers.

Throughout testing, our volunteer testers followed a methodology created by our testing and research team to ensure we received back consistent notes from tester to tester. Testers provided feedback in the following categories: size, design, portability, ease of cleaning, comfort, quality, and value. Equipped with their first-hand observations and scoring feedback, our editors then ranked and categorized our top picks for the perfect pet carrier to suit your travel needs. We have regularly checked in and updated our top picks as new products and upgrades have been released.

What to Look For

Size Guidelines

Flights have more stringent requirements than other ways of traveling with your pet. The exterior measurements of the carrier you select must fall within the sizing guidelines provided by the airline provider for your flight. A typical limitation is that pet carriers need to be within 18 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 11 inches tall to fly in the cabin. Some airlines also have a maximum weight for your pet plus their carrier, but this varies between airlines, so we recommend using the guidelines provided by the airline you intend to fly with your pet most frequently. Here are the restrictions for some popular airlines:

Beyond airline requirements, you’ll want to take your pet’s size into consideration. “The carrier should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably but snug enough to provide security and stability,” says Dr. O’Callaghan. “To choose the right-sized carrier, measure your dog’s length (from nose to base of tail) and height (from the floor to the top of their shoulders),” she adds. When shopping for carriers, check the weight limits and size recommendations specified by the manufacturer to ensure the carrier can support your dog’s weight.

Ventilation

In general, Dr. O’Callaghan says a carrier should have mesh panels on at least two sides to provide adequate airflow, and most airlines even require at least three mesh panels. These panels also allow your pet to see you which may give them more peace of mind. Commercial calming aids for dogs and cats can also help with restlessness and anxiety. Read The Spruce Pets for more travel tips.

Leak-Proof Design

A carrier with waterproof material and a leak-proof design is important for puppies and can be helpful for longer hauls where you’ll want your dog to have access to water. “For those inevitable accidents or spills, choose carriers made of easy-to-wipe materials,” says Dr. O’Callaghan. This can also ensure accidents don’t impact surrounding areas during travel, she explains.

Durability

Just think about how your suitcase looks at the end of a travel day–it’s likely covered in scruffs. While a carrier stays with you, it still undergoes similar wear and tear throughout the journey. “Since the carrier will undergo a lot of handling, it should be made of strong, durable material with reinforced stitching and secure closures,” says Dr. O’Callaghan. Look out for features such as secure zippers and strong materials that will last for many trips to come.

Hard-Sided vs. Soft-Sided

The carriers that made our list tend to fall in between hard and soft, offering structured yet flexible coverage for your pet that is just malleable enough to accommodate under the seat dimensions on an airplane. If your dog is too big to fly in cabin, then you definitely need a hard-sided kennel, like the Gunner G1 Kennel. 

Easy Carrying

“Carriers should be easy for you to carry, with adjustable shoulder straps or backpack-style designs for hands-free convenience,” says Dr. O’Callaghan. If your pet carrier will be your personal item on a flight, then it’s likely you’ll also be juggling a piece of carry-on luggage. A trolley sleeve, or a tight band that attaches to your luggage handle, will allow your carrier to ride on top of a wheeled suitcase. 

While most carriers feature two handles, you may also want to consider a backpack carrier. This option leaves your hands free for additional luggage. Many of our favorite carriers also have a removable shoulder strap, which can be left off if you’re trying to save a little weight.

Ease of Cleaning

Many carriers include a soft mat for your pet’s comfort, and we found it to be most convenient when this feature is removable and machine washable. Otherwise, you will end up spot-cleaning the carrier. You can also choose to put a blanket down to go longer between washes.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This story was recently updated by Rebecca Shinners, a writer for The Spruce Pets with a decade of editorial experience. Rebecca is the dog mom to Gemma, a 2-year-old cavapoo and frequent rider of the NYC subway. The duo travels between the city and Long Island monthly, and has tested a handful of dog carriers on the journey. Check out additional stories written by Rebecca, including The Best Dog Harnesses For Hiking, The Best Peanut Butter for Dogs, The Best Cooling Mats for Dogs, The Best Dog Treats, and The Best Cones and Recovery Wear for Dogs.

A previous version of this story was written by Anna Mejorada, an editor for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. From NYC, Anna and Gidget have flown to various locations including Aruba, Nantucket, and San Francisco. Gidget’s go-to airport bags are the Love Thy Beast Nylon Pet Travel Carrier (Best Tote) and the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier in a size large. 

For this story, we consulted Dr. Eliza O’Callaghan, DVM, managing veterinarian for Small Door Vet’s NYC practices.