{"id":35036,"date":"2023-04-28T21:54:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-29T04:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/?p=35036"},"modified":"2023-06-05T18:50:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T01:50:15","slug":"what-are-the-requirements-for-an-airline-approved-pet-carrier-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/what-are-the-requirements-for-an-airline-approved-pet-carrier-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Requirements For An Airline Approved Pet Carrier For Dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re getting ready to fly with your dog<\/a> on commercial airline flights, you\u2019ll need an airline approved pet carrier.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because dogs, cats and other pets can\u2019t just sit on your lap or hang out on a leash, regardless of whether you\u2019re flying First Class, Business Class or Economy Class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, you also can\u2019t buy a seat for your dog or cat on an airplane!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Airline<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Keeping that in mind, the size of your pet determines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. If they can fly in-cabin or cargo<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The material and the dimensions of the pet carrier you\u2019ll need<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    But how do you know if your pet is too large to fly in-cabin? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, the easy answer is that pets who weigh up to 20lbs can fly in-cabin, and larger pets have to fly cargo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In general, that means cats, puppies and toy dog breeds can fly in-cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At least as long as they comfortably fit into the largest airline approved pet carrier for cabin, which needs to fit under the seat in front of you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s one exception for service dogs<\/a> aka assistance dogs, as well as emotional support dogs<\/a>. These pups can fly with you in-cabin, regardless of size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this blog post, we\u2019ll share the pet carrier dimensions for both cabin and cargo along with pet carrier brand choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But before we jump right into it, let\u2019s cover 5 questions related to flying with pets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Things You Should Know Before Flying With Your Dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    1. Can my dog walk through the airport?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Yes. As long as they\u2019re leashed, you can walk your dog up to the airline terminal. That\u2019s where you\u2019ll have to put them into their pet carrier. I did that with my 38 lb pup Wally when we flew from Dulles Airport to Frankfurt Airport in March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. What months are dogs not allowed to fly?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Between May and September, most airlines won\u2019t transport pets cargo due to warmer temperatures. So if you\u2019re looking to fly with a medium-large sized pup, make sure you plan your flight around those months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Can I hold my dog during takeoff?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    No. Your dog (and cat) has to stay in their pet carrier under your front seat at all times while you\u2019re on the plane with them. That includes taxiing, takeoff and landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. What\u2019s the minimum age for dogs and cats to fly?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dogs and cats have to be a minimum of 8-12 weeks old to be allowed to fly on a plane. As the minimum age requirement differs between airlines, make sure to double check before you book your puppy\u2019s or kitten\u2019s flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Can I buy a pet carrier at the airport?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Most likely not. Airlines typically don\u2019t have pet carriers for sale at their terminals so you need to buy one ahead of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a matter of fact, we recommend you purchase a pet carrier several weeks in advance so you can start getting your dog or cat used to it. Check out our dog & puppy crate training tips here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Are The Requirements For An Airline Approved Pet Carrier For Dogs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    How do you know if a pet carrier is airline-approved?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The brands who sell pet carriers to fly with dogs and cats have designed their travel crates using airline approved pet carrier dimensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, just to be on the safe side, you should always double-check if the airline you\u2019re planning on flying with has any specific requirements for pet flight boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Below you\u2019ll find links to the travel kennel requirements of 8 big airlines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n