Our pets are our family, and leaving them at home will break our hearts. So why not take your pet with you? Did you know small pets can fly with you in the cabin? But to meet airline requirements for in-cabin pet travel, it is important to choose a pet carrier that fits within the airline’s published size limits.
I recently took a flight and sat next to a young man with a cat in a pet carrier. He was so good to his little furry friend it warmed my heart. But he did need to keep him under the seat in the carrier during the flight.
With this experience and my love for pets and travel, I researched the best travel-friendly pet carriers, and I’m here to share my knowledge with you. So, you’ve come to the right place because, together, let’s dive into pet carriers and airline rules for in-cabin pet travel to find the best one for your needs.
Quick Overview Of The Best Travel Pet Carrier
| Preview | Product |
|---|---|
 Buy on Amazon | Maskeyon Best Pet Carrier |
 Buy on Amazon | Smiling Paws Pets – Best Pet Carrier |
 Buy on Amazon | Mr. Peanut’s Monterey Series Convertible Backpack Best Pet Carrier |
 | Katziela Pet Carrier – Dog Carrier |
| No products found. No products found. | Best Pet Carrier with Wheels |
What Are TSA Regulations Regarding Pets On A Flight
TSA sets security screening rules for what you can bring through the checkpoint, while airlines set the rules for in-cabin pet carriers. They established many other regulations also, but for now, we will talk about carrying pets onto a plane.
The TSA.gov site says you will need to check with the airline for specific regulations regarding carrying a pet onto a plane.
However, the site does state that when you go through the security checkpoint:
- Take your small pet out of the carrier
- Have control of your animal with a leash tether
- Remove the leash when you go through the scanners
- Hold your pet while in the scanners
Most airlines say you can bring your small pet onto the plane, but stipulations exist. Your pet must be in the carrier and placed under the seat during the flight. As mentioned above, a small pet must always be in a carrier.
Many animals feel stress when their environment changes. A pet carrier will give your pet boundaries for more security. A carrier is a great way to stay close to your pet and offer a secure environment if you need to medicate your small animal.
A suitable pet carrier is one that can fit under the seat and stays within the airline’s published size limits. So, there’s not really a seal that you can look for.
Choosing a suitable pet carrier to glide smoothly through security is important.
Best Pet Carriers For Flying Reviews
Without further delay, let’s dive into our best pet carriers for flying reviews.
The Maskeyon best pet carrier will serve your needs well. It has 4 zippered extensions with mesh panels for ventilation, providing more room for your pet when used for other travels.
Two adjustable, detachable shoulder straps and handles on top allow for different options for carrying your pet. If one way of carrying your pet is tiring, you can switch to another form. It has a pocket to rest it on, a suitcase telescoping handle, and an area to secure it with a seat belt when in the car.
For comfort, you will find a removable, machine-washable fluffy mat on the carrier’s floor. The soft-sided carrier itself is easy to cloth clean inside and out. The material is Cationic Oxford and High-Density EVA board which is non-toxic and waterproof. And they wove steel strands into the frame for increased stability.
With 2 side entrances, it allows easy access to put your pet in and out. In addition, there are three pockets for storage and organization.
Fully zipped without the extensions open, the dimensions are 19.5 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches, which could exceed some airline under-seat limits depending on the aircraft and airline. To determine if your furbaby or small animal will fit comfortably, measure them and compare them with these dimensions.
Benefits
- 19.5 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches with 4 extensions
- Seat belt attachment
- Removable shoulder strap
- Cushioned mat
- Mat is machine washable
- Sturdy cloth washable material
- 2 side entrances
- 3 storage pockets
- Slip over a suitcase handle
Drawbacks
- You cannot open the 4 extensions while flying.
The Smiling Paws Pet carrier is travel-friendly and compact in size, which should fit under many airline seats, depending on the aircraft and airline rules. It is extra small at only 9 in. and for pets 15 lbs or less.
It has a top entry with a 4-way extension on all sides for added comfort and room for your small cat, rabbit, or dog, with breathable mesh for plenty of ventilation.
For the more active animal, the material is a durable polyester with extra safety features such as: locking safety zippers, metallic clips, rods of high quality, and an internal built-in leash.
Oh, did I mention the interior area of the carrier is leak-proof with laminating on the internal materials? You can remove the inner plush padding to machine wash it and breathable mesh windows for your small animal’s comfort.
You will enjoy the handles and padded shoulder straps for ease of carrying. In addition, it has a luggage strap to nestle it onto a suitcase handle.
When ready to store it, fold it into a compact size and tuck it away in tight spaces.
Benefits
- Travel-friendly and a compact size that may fit under many airline seats
- Top entry with a 4-way extension
- Durable polyester inside and out
- Locking safety zippers
- Internal leash
- Leak-proof laminating
- Machine washable plush padding
- Compact size for storage
Drawbacks
- Only for pets 15 lbs and under
Mr. Peanut’s soft-sided pet carrier is great for airplane travel and many other forms of travel.
It is travel-friendly and is designed to align with many airline in-cabin pet carrier size requirements. Not to mention, it has a soft frameless top to fit easily under the seat. In addition, the base has a board insert for stability and a soft faux fleece pad for comfort.
Put your pet in from either side with zippered closure and breathable mesh panels. You will love the many features, such as; self-locking auto zippers to protect your pet, a pouch to store treats, soft sides with easy-to-clean nylon material, and a built-in leash.
You can enjoy comfortable adjustable shoulder straps with extra padding and a luggage strap to nestle onto the telescopic handle of a rolling suitcase.
Benefits
- Travel friendly
- Soft frameless top to fit easily under the seat
- Faux fleece pad for comfort
- 2-sided entrance
- Durable, washable nylon
- Self-locking auto zippers
- Breathable mesh on all sides
Drawbacks
- Will only accommodate pets up to 13 lbs.
WOW, a pet carrier with 6 rubberized wheels! Just roll your pet around the airport with a double telescoping handle. The Katziela carrier offers comfortable top-carrying handles and all-around lightweight mesh panels.
Inside, you will find a strong floor with a small plush pad you can remove for machine washing. You can remove the wheelbase and flooring as needed.
Some extra features include back and front accessory pockets, an inside safety tether leash, and full locking zippers to easily put your pet inside. Features such as these have your pet’s best interest in mind.
It has the Katziela’s satisfaction guarantee, which states you can return unopened new items within the first 30 days for a full refund.
Benefits
- Katziela’s satisfaction guarantee
- 6 rubberized wheels
- Removable wheelbase
- Comfortable top-carrying handles
- Removable machine washable plush pad
- Mesh panels with full zippers
- Storage pockets
- Safety leash
Drawbacks
- Its measurements are slightly above recommended size, but because of the soft top, it may compress slightly, which can help it fit under some airline seats, depending on the aircraft.
No products found.
Here is the Cadillac of pet carriers with large mesh panels for ventilation and an extremely soft pad that is machine washable. Your pet will love the feel and comfort of this incredible temporary house. It even has a guard to protect your pet from the sun. It is very versatile.
It’s commonly used for air travel, though fit and acceptance depend on airline policies and aircraft size. It has 6 wheels with a telescopic handle to take the burden off of you, along with padded shoulder straps, locking zippers, and a convenient top opening to put your fur baby.
The wheels are rubber for traction, and to prevent tipping, the wheels are further apart. The pull handle snaps back when not in use.
You will find perfect storage with 2 pockets for treats, a built-in leash, a removable tray, and a pad. If that’s not enough, the top is flexible, so you can push it down to fit under the seat.
Benefits
- Large mesh panels for ventilation
- Machine washable soft pad
- Removable wheel base
- Removable floor base
- Flexible top to fit under the seat
- Protective sun guard
- Locking zippers
- Wide open top entrance
- telescopic handle
Drawbacks
- Unstable with animals over 20 lbs
Disclaimer: Product info, titles, and images may vary from descriptions due to updates. Information is for reference; check the live listing for accuracy.
What To Look For in a Travel Pet Carrier?
When you choose a pet carrier, there are a few things to note. We’ll cover 3 important aspects of a travel friendly pet carrier.
Size
All airlines have a separate set of rules or dimensions for an airline pet carrier; however, most size limits are within a half inch. TSA doesn’t typically enforce carrier sizing, but airlines may deny in-cabin travel if the carrier does not fit under the seat.
Not only is the size important for the flight but is it a good fit for your pet. Will your fur baby have room to move around? You can actually measure your pet and compare your findings against the measurements of the pet carrier. With this in mind, you will want 2-3 inches of extra space in the carrier for your pet to maneuver.
Comfort
Your pet needs room to breathe, so mesh panels for ventilation are necessary.
In addition, you may want to pet your animal to comfort them. A zippered window is excellent for reaching in to pet your small furry friend to let them know you are still here.
Extra Features
Extra features can make or break an airline-friendly carrier for pet travel. Things to consider are:
- How will you carry it?
- Will it get heavy?
- Is the material durable?
- Is the carrier safe?
These are just a few considerations, and with these, pay close attention to the handles, whether it has wheels or not, the type of construction, and any safety features in place.
Wheeled or taller pet carriers are more commonly checked rather than carried on, depending on airline rules and cabin space.
FAQs About Travel-Friendly Pet Carriers
Here are some commonly asked questions.
What size pet carrier will fit under an airline seat?
Many airlines allow under-seat pet carriers around 18 x 11 x 11 inches, but exact size limits vary by airline and aircraft. Please remember that if the top of a carrier is soft, it may compress slightly to fit under some seats, depending on the aircraft.
How strict are airlines about pet carriers?
Airlines do not always measure pet carriers, but may deny in-cabin travel if the carrier doesn’t fit under the seat.
Can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?
Airlines require small pets to remain in their carrier throughout the flight. So, an animal cannot sit on your lap during the flight.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on Accessories, here are some additional posts about Accessories:
Overall
This concludes our review of the best pet carrier for air travel buying guide. I am an animal lover, so it is good news that we can take our fur babies on the plane. But it is important to use a suitable carrier and follow the rules for a safe flight.
Happy travels, my animal-loving friends.