Traveling with your dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience, creating lasting memories and strengthening your bond. However, ensuring your furry friend’s safety and comfort during the journey is paramount. Whether you’re planning a cross-country flight or a simple road trip, selecting the right Dog Travel Carrier is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. An airline-approved dog travel carrier is specifically designed to provide a secure, comfortable, and stress-free environment for your dog while adhering to airline regulations.
Choosing the best dog travel carrier involves considering various factors, from size and material to comfort features and airline compliance. To simplify this process and help you make an informed decision, we’ve rigorously tested and evaluated numerous airline-approved dog carriers. Our hands-on testing, combined with expert veterinary insights, will guide you through the essential aspects of selecting the perfect travel carrier for your beloved dog.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the top dog travel carriers available, highlighting their key features, pros, and cons. We’ll also provide essential tips on how to choose the right size and type of carrier for your dog, understand airline regulations, and make travel as comfortable as possible for your canine companion. Whether you are a seasoned pet traveler or embarking on your first adventure with your dog, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to select the ideal dog travel carrier for safe and enjoyable journeys.
Our Top Dog Travel Carrier Picks
After extensive testing and evaluation, we’ve identified the top dog travel carriers that stand out in terms of quality, comfort, portability, and overall value. Here are our top recommendations:
Best Overall Dog Travel Carrier:
Away The Pet Carrier at Away Travel $225
Best Dog Travel Carrier for Cargo:
Gunner G1 Kennel Intermediate at Gunner.com $550
Best Budget Hardside Dog Travel Carrier:
Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel at Amazon $105
Best Expandable Dog Travel Carrier:
Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier at Amazon $53
Best Style Dog Travel Carrier:
Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier at Dagnedover.com
Best Overall Dog Travel Carrier
Away The Pet Carrier
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PHOTO: Away
Why We Love It: The Away Pet Carrier seamlessly blends style and functionality, offering a comfortable and well-designed space for your dog while meeting airline requirements. It’s a top-tier choice for dog owners who value both aesthetics and practicality.
What to Consider: This carrier is best suited for small dog breeds, as it has a weight limit of 18 pounds. Owners of larger dogs will need to explore other options.
The Away Pet Carrier mirrors the brand’s renowned luggage, boasting a sophisticated aesthetic, intelligent design, and premium quality. During testing, we were particularly impressed by its size, which is perfectly calibrated to be easily carried and slide under airplane seats without compromising your dog’s comfort. The thoughtfully designed interior and exterior pockets provide convenient storage for essential items for both you and your dog. A standout feature is the waterproofed side pocket with drainage holes, ideal for stowing a collapsible water bowl.
Beyond storage, the Away Pet Carrier excels in travel-friendly features. Its water-resistant construction simplifies cleaning, while the trolley sleeve ensures effortless portability through airports. Seat belt latches add security during car travel, and breathable mesh sides, coupled with a retractable privacy screen, cater to anxious dogs by providing airflow and a sense of security. The removable sherpa bed enhances comfort, and there’s ample space to include a favorite blanket or toy to further ease your dog’s travel anxiety.
Constructed from durable nylon and trimmed with chic black leather, the Away Pet Carrier is the epitome of canine travel elegance. However, its single size offering may be limiting for owners with dogs exceeding the 18-pound weight capacity.
The Details: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | 4.3 pounds | Suitable for pets up to 18 pounds | Material: Nylon and leather
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Alt text: A small dog comfortably rests inside the Away Pet Carrier, peering out through the mesh window. -
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Alt text: Demonstrating the compact size of the Away Travel Pet Carrier as it easily slides under an airplane seat. -
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Alt text: Breathable mesh panel on the Away Dog Travel Carrier ensuring optimal ventilation and airflow for pet comfort.
Best Dog Travel Carrier for Cargo
Gunner G1 Kennel Intermediate
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PHOTO: Gunner
Why We Love It: The Gunner G1 Kennel is the gold standard in hard-sided dog kennels, providing unparalleled safety and durability, especially crucial for cargo travel. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of air travel and ensure maximum protection for your dog.
What to Consider: The exceptional safety and robust construction of the Gunner G1 Kennel come at a premium price. It’s a significant investment, but one that prioritizes your dog’s safety above all else.
The Gunner G1 Kennel stands in a class of its own as a hard-sided dog kennel, earning a five-star crash safety rating from the Center for Pet Safety. This kennel’s reputation for safety is backed by numerous accounts of dog owners who credit it with saving their dogs’ lives in severe car accidents. This level of protection is equally vital for dogs traveling in the cargo hold of an airplane. Concerned about turbulence or rough handling? The Gunner Kennel features double-wall rotomolding for superior impact resistance. It also incorporates a wider base for enhanced stability, built-in tie-down rods for secure fastening, and all-weather windows to shield your dog from harsh weather conditions encountered during airport loading and unloading.
Inside, dogs are kept comfortable with the addition of a soft bed, while raised, non-slip feet minimize temperature transfer from hot or cold surfaces. The primary drawback is the weight; larger sizes can be cumbersome for a single person to manage, especially with a dog inside. We tested the intermediate size, which is still a substantial 48 pounds empty. However, the kennel is available in small, medium, intermediate, and large sizes to accommodate different dog breeds.
The Details: Dimensions vary by size: Small (24.5 x 18.6 x 19 inches), Medium (29.5 x 20.5 x 23.5 inches), Intermediate (34 x 23 x 28.5 inches), Large (40.25 x 28 x 33.25 inches) | Weight varies by size: Small (27 pounds), Medium (38 pounds), Intermediate (48 pounds), Large (72 pounds) | Suitable for pets up to 110 pounds (large size) | Material: Rotomolded plastic and stainless steel
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Alt text: A dog playfully extends its head from the durable Gunner G1 Kennel, showcasing the kennel’s secure door. -
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Alt text: A well-behaved dog sits beside the robust Gunner G1 Kennel, highlighting the kennel’s spacious interior. -
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Alt text: A side angle view of the Gunner G1 Kennel, emphasizing its sturdy construction and ventilation windows.
Best Budget Hardside Dog Travel Carrier
Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel
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PHOTO: Petmate
$105 at Amazon View on Cabelas.com View on Petmate.com
Why We Love It: The Petmate Aspen Pet Porter offers exceptional value, delivering a reliable and FAA-compliant hard-sided dog kennel at an affordable price point. It’s a no-frills option that covers all the essential bases for safe and comfortable dog travel.
What to Consider: This is a basic, no-frills kennel. It lacks extra features like pockets or specialized storage compartments. Its simplicity is its strength for budget-conscious travelers, but those seeking enhanced features might want to explore other options.
The Petmate Aspen Pet Porter stands out as a fantastic value for money, providing a robust hard-sided dog kennel without breaking the bank. While it forgoes extra frills, it delivers on essential functionality, meeting domestic air travel standards in the U.S. You get reliable three-sided ventilation, a secure stainless steel door with squeeze latches to prevent accidental openings during flights, and a spacious interior to comfortably accommodate your dog, along with food and water bowls, and a favorite blanket or toy (subject to airline regulations). The darker kennel base taps into a dog’s natural denning instincts, helping them feel more secure and relaxed. The kennel is also designed for easy assembly and disassembly, simplifying storage and transportation when not in use. While we noted the absence of storage pockets for documents or treats, the Petmate Aspen Pet Porter excels in providing a comfortable and secure travel environment for your dog, making travel days smoother and stress-free.
The Details: Dimensions vary by size: Small (28 x 20.5 x 21.5 inches), Medium (32 x 22.5 x 24 inches), Large (36 x 25 x 27 inches), Extra-large (40 x 27 x 30 inches) | Weight varies by size: Small (9 pounds), Medium (14 pounds), Large (19 pounds), Extra-large (24 pounds) | Suitable for pets up to 90 pounds (extra-large size) | Material: Heavy-duty plastic and metal
Best Expandable Dog Travel Carrier
Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier
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PHOTO: Amazon
$53 at Amazon View on Petsfit.com $51 at Wayfair
Why We Love It: The Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier offers unique flexibility with its dual expandable mesh sides. This feature allows you to increase your dog’s space during layovers or gate waits without fully removing them from the carrier, enhancing comfort and reducing stress.
What to Consider: The carry handles could benefit from added padding. While the carrier is lightweight and portable, carrying it for extended periods by the handles can become uncomfortable. Using the shoulder strap (if available) or carrying it on a trolley can mitigate this.
The Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier distinguishes itself with its innovative expandable design, featuring dual scratch-resistant mesh sides. This expandable feature is invaluable for providing your dog with extra room while navigating airports or during layovers, all while maintaining secure containment. During our tests, we even utilized this feature while the carrier was under the airplane seat, slightly expanding the sides to give our canine passenger a bit more wiggle room during the flight. The carrier is also collapsible, and the removable fiber rods in the top frame offer added flexibility for fitting it under tight airplane seats. A soft-lined bottom enhances your dog’s comfort during travel. The Petsfit carrier is lightweight and easy to carry, though we found the handles could use more padding for comfortable hand-carrying over longer distances. Despite this minor handle issue, the added space and flexibility of this expandable dog travel carrier are significant advantages.
The Details: Dimensions vary by size: Small (16 x 10 x 9 inches), Medium (17 x 11 x 11 inches), Large (19 x 12 x 12 inches) | Weight varies by size: Small (2.1 pounds), Medium (2.5 pounds), Large (3 pounds) | Suitable for pets up to 18 pounds (large size) | Material: Polypropylene
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Alt text: A small dog peacefully sleeps inside the Petsfit Expandable Dog Travel Carrier, nestled comfortably under an airplane seat.
Best Style Dog Travel Carrier
Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier
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PHOTO: Dagne Dover
Why We Love It: The Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier excels in style and sophistication, crafted from high-quality materials that are both luxurious and durable. It’s the perfect choice for dog owners who want a carrier that’s as fashionable as it is functional.
What to Consider: The Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier is slightly wider than some other models. This wider profile can cause the sides to overhang when placed on top of smaller rolling luggage, which might affect stability for some travelers.
Travel in style with the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, a blend of high fashion and robust functionality. Mirroring the brand’s commitment to quality, this carrier is constructed from premium materials like 900D polyester, breathable mesh, and soft sherpa, ensuring durability and comfort for your dog through the wear and tear of travel. During testing, we subjected it to typical travel conditions – under airplane seats and on car floors – and it maintained its pristine appearance even after multiple flights and road trips. We tested the large size and found it ideal for a 12-pound Chihuahua mix, though a smaller size is also available. Our canine tester had ample room to move around and adjust sleeping positions, indicating a comfortable interior. Thoughtful features like multiple handles, a trolley sleeve, and spacious zippered side pockets enhance portability. The carrier also folds flat for easy storage at home and is machine-washable for convenient cleaning.
The Details: Dimensions vary by size: Small (16.5 x 10.25 x 11 inches), Large (18 x 12 x 11.4 inches) | Weight varies by size: Small (3.8 pounds), Large (4.3 pounds) | Suitable for pets up to 20 pounds (large size) | Material: 900D polyester, mesh, sherpa
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Alt text: A relaxed small dog sits comfortably inside the stylish Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, looking content. -
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Alt text: A small dog demonstrates the ample space within the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier by easily turning around. -
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Alt text: The Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier securely placed on top of a suitcase, showcasing its trolley sleeve compatibility. -
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Alt text: A curious small dog peeks out from the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier while it rests on top of a suitcase. -
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Alt text: A content small dog relaxes inside the plush Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, highlighting its comfortable interior. -
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Alt text: The Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier neatly collapsed for convenient storage when not in use. -
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Alt text: An open view of the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, showcasing its spacious and well-ventilated interior. -
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Alt text: The Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier fits comfortably under an airplane seat with a small dog inside, demonstrating its airline compliance. -
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Alt text: A dog comfortably resting inside the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier while it is placed on top of a suitcase. -
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Alt text: A small dog attentively looks out from the mesh window of the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, exploring its surroundings. -
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Alt text: A small dog sits upright and content within the Dagne Dover Kyoto Pet Carrier, showcasing its comfortable and spacious design.
Other Airline-Approved Dog Travel Carriers We Liked
While the above carriers topped our lists in their respective categories, several other dog travel carriers impressed us and deserve honorable mentions. These carriers might be particularly suitable for specific travel scenarios or dog breeds:
Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier: This soft-sided carrier is one of the larger and heavier models we tested, weighing 4.5 pounds. While its size and weight might raise eyebrows at check-in for some airlines, its five-star crash test rating, seat belt and buckle clips, pee-pad-friendly design, zip-down fourth wall, and interior tethering clip make it an outstanding dog carrier for car travel, prioritizing safety and convenience on the road.
Arlo Skye The Pet Carrier: Available in 8.5-inch and 10-inch heights, the Arlo Skye carrier felt a bit snug for our test dog and is best suited for very small or teacup breeds. However, for owners of tiny dogs, this carrier offers premium features like four-sided mesh ventilation, a memory foam travel pad, and a robust trolley sleeve for easy airport navigation.
Wild One Travel Carrier: This lightweight and compact carrier is packed with thoughtful travel-centric features. From its dual-sided zippers and calming fold-down side panels to its lie-flat design for easy cleaning and a built-in leash option, the Wild One carrier is designed for convenience. However, the 10-inch height felt restrictive for our 8-pound test dog when zipped closed, making it feel a bit cramped for under-seat placement unless the dog was lying down.
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Alt text: A dog sits comfortably inside the partially opened Wild One Travel Carrier, showcasing its fold-down side panel feature.
Our Dog Travel Carrier Testing Process
The Travel + Leisure team rigorously tested 15 airline-approved pet carriers, including models specifically designed for dogs, in real-world travel scenarios with our own canine companions. We started by meticulously measuring and weighing each carrier, assessing its overall construction quality, and ensuring our dogs were comfortable with the carriers in a home setting. Then, we took to the skies, evaluating each carrier’s performance across crucial metrics: carry comfort for the owner, pet comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, overall design, size appropriateness, and practical travel features.
To simulate typical airline travel, we flew with our dogs in these carriers on round-trip domestic and international flights on major U.S. airlines, including JetBlue, known for its stringent in-cabin pet carrier size restrictions. Throughout our journeys, we meticulously documented the ease of navigating airport security, waiting at boarding gates, fitting carriers under seats, and general airport transport. We continuously monitored our dogs’ comfort levels before, during, and after each flight, and assessed how easily we could access and check on our pets during the travel process. Our scoring system heavily weighted pet comfort, portability, functional features, price-to-value ratio, and overall performance to determine the best airline-approved dog carriers for this comprehensive guide.
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Alt text: A dog rests inside the Arlo Skye The Pet Carrier on a carpeted floor during testing, demonstrating carrier comfort.
Essential Tips for Buying Dog Travel Carriers
Choosing the right dog travel carrier is crucial for a smooth and safe journey. Here are key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a carrier for your canine companion:
Choose the Right Size for Your Dog
Selecting the appropriate size carrier is paramount for your dog’s comfort and well-being. Airlines mandate that in-cabin pets must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably within their carrier. Never compromise on size by forcing your dog into a smaller carrier to meet airline size limitations. Prioritize your dog’s comfort and mobility above all else.
Verify Transportation Rules and Regulations
Always double-check the specific pet and dog travel carrier policies of your chosen airline and the general FAA guidelines before purchasing a new carrier. Train companies, like Amtrak, also have their own pet carrier regulations. If you plan to travel by car, consider crash safety ratings when shopping for a dog travel carrier, especially for longer trips.
Key regulations to remember include: in-cabin dog carriers count as your carry-on or personal item allowance, dogs must remain inside their carriers at all times during flights, carriers must stay under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight (on most airlines), and dogs traveling as cargo cannot be sedated.
Decide Between Soft-Sided and Hard-Sided Carriers
Soft-sided dog carriers, including dog backpack carriers, offer greater flexibility for fitting under various airplane seats. Many airlines permit slightly larger dimensions for soft-sided carriers due to this adaptability. However, for dogs traveling as cargo, hard-sided carriers are mandatory for their safety in the aircraft hold. Owners traveling with larger or heavier in-cabin dogs might also prefer hard-sided carriers for enhanced support and protection.
Look for Comfort and Convenience Features
Your dog’s comfort should be your top priority. Opt for dog travel carriers with features that enhance comfort and ease of travel, such as breathable mesh panels for ventilation, sturdy and supportive bases, multiple access points, pockets for treats, water, and waste bags, and calming privacy flaps. Most airlines also require carriers to have waterproof bottoms to manage any accidents.
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Alt text: A dog sits inside a well-ventilated blue dog travel carrier on a wooden floor, highlighting breathability features.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Travel Carriers
How Can I Acclimate My Dog to a Travel Carrier?
Introduce the dog travel carrier to your dog at home well before your trip. Leave the carrier open in a familiar area and encourage your dog to explore it by placing treats or toys inside. Once your dog is comfortable entering the carrier, start with short car rides, gradually increasing the duration and rewarding calm behavior with treats and praise. Lining the carrier with a familiar blanket or toy can also create a more welcoming and secure space for your dog.
How Long Can a Dog Safely Stay in a Carrier?
According to Dr. Chyrle Bonk, veterinarian at excitedcats.com, most dogs can safely remain in an in-cabin travel carrier for six to eight hours, provided the carrier is appropriately sized. For dogs traveling as cargo, Dr. Bonk suggests they might tolerate slightly longer durations if they are comfortable and have access to pee pads, food, and water. Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinarian and behaviorist at petkeen.com, recommends bathroom breaks every six hours if possible, which might necessitate shorter flights or using a specialized pet transport service for longer journeys.
What Should I Pack Inside My Dog’s Travel Carrier?
While airlines don’t mandate specific items for in-cabin dog carriers, both veterinary experts recommend carrying essentials like food and water (or treats), any necessary medications, and required documentation such as vaccination records. Enhance your dog’s comfort by placing an absorbent pad at the bottom of the carrier, adding a familiar-scented item (like a blanket or your worn t-shirt), and including a favorite toy to minimize travel stress.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure for Dog Travel Carrier Recommendations
For this guide, Katherine Alex Beaven, a seasoned travel writer, consulted with veterinary experts Dr. Chyrle Bonk and Dr. Paola Cuevas to provide authoritative insights on safe and comfortable pet travel, both in-cabin and as cargo. She also incorporated extensive testing data collected by Travel + Leisure editors and their canine companions, including her own 15-pound travel-savvy cat, @hellomisterbo. Our recommendations are grounded in rigorous testing and expert veterinary advice to ensure you choose the best dog travel carrier for your pet’s safety and comfort.
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Updated by Taylor Fox and Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure Editors.
