The 9 Best Airline-Approved Pet Carriers of 2024, Tested by Real Pet Parents

Best Overall

Love Thy Beast Nylon Pet Travel Carrier

View on Lovethybeast.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  5/5

Lightweight and durable, this pet carrier has everything you need for a solid travel day with your furry pal. We tested this bag on JetBlue and Delta flights, and it fit underneath the seat easily. Not only is it compact enough for easy storage and travel, but the roomy interior allows pets to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around while they’re inside. One key feature we loved was the mesh paneling that provides shy or anxious pets privacy from fellow travelers but still allows your four-legged buddy to see (and smell) you for reassurance.

This pet carrier features supportive shoulder straps for extra security at the airport. Or, if you have a roller carry-on bag, you can use the two smaller pockets with zippers that function as a loop for suitcase handles. (Psst: Use these to secure seatbelts in your Uber ride, too!) There's also a large zippered pocket for your phone, wallet, boarding pass, headphones, and your pet’s treats, so you don't necessarily need an additional bag or purse.

If your dog or cat has an accident during your journey, you’ll appreciate the platform on the bottom of the bag that can easily be removed and cleaned. The only fault we could find with this bag is that it has a 25-pound weight limit, so it won't work for all pets.

Dimensions: 17 x 8 x 12 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 25 pounds

Best Budget

JetPaws Official Pet Carrier

$46 at Amazon $45 at Walmart $55 at QVC

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Design
  5/5

One thing is for sure about this airline bag: You know it’ll fit underneath the seat for JetBlue flights since it’s the airline's official pet carrier. There is plenty to love about this budget-friendly buy: It's sturdy, lightweight, easy to carry, and super functional. We love the four pockets: one for treats, one for your passport, wallet, and phone, one for a tablet or book, and one for snacks. We also appreciated the nylon material that’s super simple to clean in case our furry friend has an accident. 

The only downfall is that it’s a bit on the shorter side, and it doesn’t have a sleeve to slip onto a roller suitcase. It’s also not exactly chic, so you won’t be turning any heads when you stroll down the terminal. However, if you’re looking for a budget-minded carrier that you know is approved by JetBlue Airlines, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Dimensions: 16 x 8.5 x 10 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 20 pounds

Best Design

Away The Pet Carrier

$225 at Awaytravel.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  5/5

If you already love your Away luggage, consider giving your best friend a matching carrier. We loved the overall design of the Away carrier — it is sturdy, sleek, modern, and has some bells and whistles worth noting. The bag is made with high-quality materials, and we feel confident that it will hold up over time and keep our dog safe and protected.

We appreciate the fuzzy interior for a cozy touch and the mesh panels to provide fresh air for your pet. In addition, the built-in shades on the sides can be pulled down to give your dog darkness and security while flying. It’s also versatile. You can use the handles to carry it as a tote bag or put the carrier straps over your shoulder. However, we did find the handles slightly awkward in length.

You can think of this Away carrier as the Goldilocks of sizing: not too big, not too small, and it can easily fit a small to medium-sized dog. However, one drawback is that it doesn’t always fit underneath every seat. For budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant, this bag may not comply with pet carrier size requirements. Like our other top picks, the Away carrier has plenty of spacious pockets to store your (and your dog’s) essentials. It’s also easy to spot-clean the outside and toss the removable fleece lining in the washing machine. While it’s on the pricey end, it’s a worthwhile investment for frequent fliers.

Dimensions: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 18 pounds

Best Expandable

Petsfit Expandable Pet Carrier

$51 at Amazon $46 at Wayfair View on Petsfit.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  4.5/5
• Quality
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  5/5

This expandable carrier won us over but with a few caveats. First, the good stuff: This bag is very well-made, sturdy, and portable. When waiting to board, you can expand the mesh panels to the left and right, so your pet can stretch out, move around, and get comfortable.

However, when the bag is zipped shut, your pet may not be able to stand up fully (though they can likely move around and reposition themselves). Unfortunately, to fit underneath the seat, you can’t leave the sides expanded. And while the materials feel secure, it’s made of a soft lining and is soft-sided, so we worry it may not last as long as other airline-approved pet carriers, but that all depends on how often you fly — and, ahem, how destructive your dog or cat is when under stress. We weren't big fans of the handles since they hurt our hands over time, and we would have preferred some extra padding.

Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 9 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 13 pounds

Best Carry-On

Wild One Travel Carrier

View on Wildone.com View on PETCO

Our Ratings

• Size
  3.5/5
• Quality
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Design
  4/5

Stylish pet owners don’t want to be seen strolling through the airport with just any old carrier. If that's you, you’ll love the Wild One Travel Carrier. It’s the chicest bag we tested, and its features are convenient and functional. The pockets are placed in easy-to-access areas for pet parents, so you can quickly grab your boarding pass, phone, or a well-deserved treat for your floof. 

The mesh panels with pull-down covers provide ventilation and some privacy for your animal. We also liked the supportive straps because they were comfortable to wear throughout the airport. It has a compartment to slip onto the handle of your rolling carry-on suitcase, and we felt our pet was securely fastened. Once you’ve touched down at your destination, you can fold the entire bag so it lays flat.

Now for the biggest downfall: To zip the carrier shut, your medium-sized dog must lie down. And while your dog could lift their head, even super-short dogs might be unable to stand up. Generally speaking, this carrier is spacious lengthwise but shorter than other carriers. Unfortunately, Delta told us that the carrier is too big to fit under the seat in the main cabin or Delta Plus. And if it's too big for Delta's under-the-seat storage, it's likely too big for budget airlines such as Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 10 x 11 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 16 pounds

Best for Cargo Hold

Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel

$122 at Amazon $140 at Cabelas.com View on Petmate.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  3/5

All airlines limit the size of dogs who can board a plane, and unless they are certified service dogs, larger breeds must travel underneath the plane in the cargo area. If you bring your big buddy along for your next adventure and you’re looking for a cargo pet carrier that gets the job done but isn’t fancy, this is your best bet. This crate has enough space for a cozy kennel pad, a few dog toys, a blanket, and a travel water and food bowl.

This super-sturdy crate is mainly made of plastic, making it easy to clean and break down to store after your trip. We liked how easy it is to open and close the gate with one hand, and the gate could be put on either side, allowing it to open to the left or the right. We also had zero problems getting the kennel through TSA; we just had to go through the scanner to ensure everything inside was safe for travel.

Dimensions: 36 x 24.5 x 27 inches | Weight Limit: For pets 25 to 30 pounds

Best Foldable

Arlo Skye The Pet Carrier

View on Arloskye.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  3/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  3/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  4/5

If you live in a teeny-tiny place with very little storage for yourself (much less your pet’s accessories), you’ll appreciate this elegant-looking carrier's versatility and foldability. It’s made of high-quality materials that are easy to spot-clean when needed. We were especially fans of the comfortable handles when carrying this bag through the airport, and the hidden pocket slips over your roller carry-on luggage if you'd rather wheel Fido along with you. 

Inside the carrier is a soft pad, so your pup feels cozy. However, this is a compact carrier. We found that a dog has to be lying down to close the top, and they can’t turn around in the carrier when it’s closed. This limits a dog's movement, and some airlines require your animal to be able to turn around in their carrier. Because this lightweight carrier is on the smaller side, there is no extra room for a blanket to keep a dog warm during the flight. However, if you have a small-breed pup and value a chic, foldable design, it could be worth the investment.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 11 x 10 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 25 pounds

Best for Cats

Travel Cat The Transpurrter

$170 at Amazon View on Yourcatbackpack.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  4.5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Design
  5/5

This airline-approved carrier is the perfect option for proud cat parents who don’t want to leave their feline at home during long trips. With a sturdy yet lightweight design, it’s spacious and long, and it gives your cat plenty of room to move around comfortably. We were fans of the scratch-resistant mesh and escape-proof zippers since felines can be more curious and mischievous than dogs. Inside the carrier is a super-soft felt lining that’s cozy for your cat and removable for easy cleaning. You can pull down a total blackout side panel during the stressful parts of traveling, so your cat can feel secure and calm. 

There are plenty of ways to tote this cat carrier: on your shoulder with a padded strap, as a backpack, or as a crossbody bag. However, we found the crossbody style awkward and uncomfortable, and with the backpack option, you lose the much-needed padding for your shoulders. On the plus side, there are well-organized storage pockets, so you don’t have to carry an additional bag for your phone and boarding pass. And you can open the bag from all sides, including the top. The fourth wall can be completely pulled down, and you can attach your cat to a tethered leash.

The only real downfall is the length of this pet carrier, which may not comply with all airline size requirements.

Dimensions: 19 x 10.5 x 11 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 30 pounds

Best Investment

Gunner G1 Kennel Intermediate

$550 at Gunner.com $900 at Wildrosetradingcompany.com

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Design
  5/5

If you plan to travel frequently with your bigger dog, this cargo kennel is worth the investment. It’s been tested by the Center for Pet Safety and received a five-star rating — the highest accolade possible. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, so you know your purchase is a safe bet. We flew with two larger canines in this kennel, and it was not only roomy and comfortable for both of them, but we felt that each was safe and secure. 

Like other cargo kennels, there is enough room to add a dog bed or pad, your pup’s beloved toys, a blanket, and a water or food bowl. We found it relatively easy to assemble, but it’s important to note that it’s heavier due to the high-quality, durable materials — a whopping 27 pounds when it’s empty. While it does have back wheels that make it easy to move, loading and unloading it into your vehicle may require two people.

Dimensions: 33.25 x 21 x 29 x 23 inches | Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds