Airline Approved Pet Carriers

Pet Frenzy defines airline approved pet carriers as those carriers that meet most airlines' maximum size restrictions for your pet to travel with you in the cabin of the airplane. It is important to note, however, that not all airlines have the same regulations/requirements. In fact, many airlines have regulations that differ among their own fleet, depending on the size of the aircraft. That's why we recommend that you contact your airline for information before purchasing a new pet carrier.

General info and tips for traveling by air with your pet.

What size and type of pets can generally travel as carry-ons? Most airlines have a policy allowing fully-weaned dogs or cats that are at least 8 weeks old, as well as domesticated household birds such as canaries, parakeets or finches to travel in the cabin with you. Prior to selecting airline approved pet carriers for your trip, Pet Frenzy recommends researching your airline's pet travel policies. All airlines have different size restrictions for your pet and the carrier.

The maximum size restrictions for airline approved pet carriers are dictated by the size of space under the seat, since the carrier must easily fit under the seat. Airline approved pet carriers can be either hard or soft sided and must prevent escape of your pet into the cabin. No part of the animal is to protrude from the carrier, and the floor of the airline approved pet carrier must be absorbent enough to retain liquids and solids. Ventilation must be adequate.

Make sure to properly label your airline approved pet carriers as well as your pets' ID tags with your name, address and the phone number where you can be reached if for some reason your pet is misplaced or lost. To travel in the cabin, most airlines adhere to a maximum combined weight for your pet and the carrier, which is typically 20 pounds. Most airlines do charge a sizeable fee for traveling with your pet, whether your pet is traveling in the cargo or cabin portion of the airplane, so it is important to find out these charges prior to traveling.

It is also important to make proper travel arrangements for your pet. Even if your pets are traveling in airline approved pet carriers as a carry-on, you still need to make advanced reservations for your pets. In most cases, only a limited number of animals are allowed on each flight, so book your flights early.

Even if your pet carrier meets all airline requirements, many airlines such as Southwest do not even accept any live animals in the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment of its airplanes unless the animal is accompanying a person with disabilities. Even those airlines that do accept pets in the cabin may restrict pets on certain flights as well as in the First Class or Business Class section of the airplane.

Using proper airline approved pet carriers is only one step in properly preparing your pet for safe and hassle free airline travel. If you have any question regarding Pet Frenzy's selection of airline approved pet carriers, customer service representatives are standing by to assist you.

Pet Frenzy offers a wide selection of designer pet carriers from small pet carriers to large.  Do you like to travel with your pet?  Then check out our motorcycle pet carriers, airline pet carriers (also known as FAA approved pet carriers) and pet carriers for bicycles.  Tote your pet around with ease with Pet Frenzy's popular wheeled pet carriers.  Browse Pet Frenzy's selection of soft pet carriers, and Chihuahua pet carriers.