When you’re relocating with your furry family member, choosing the right travel crate is critical for their safety and comfort. This is especially important for a first-time flight. You’ll need an airline-compliant carrier, and it can be surprisingly hard to find options that truly meet the rules. That’s why we’ve highlighted a handful of carriers below that align with airline and IATA guidelines and are highly rated by experienced pet travelers.
Can your pet ride in-cabin?
Some airlines allow small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, but they must be in a compliant carrier—your pet can’t simply ride in a tote or on your lap. The in-cabin kennel has to meet specific safety and ventilation requirements, fit fully under the seat in front of you, and still give your pet enough room to rest comfortably.
That sounds simple, but there’s a catch: under-seat dimensions vary by airline and aircraft, and “small pet” can mean very different things by size and weight. On top of that, carrier manufacturers don’t follow a universal sizing standard—what one brand calls “small” might be closer to another brand’s “medium.”
As long as your in-cabin carrier meets the airline’s minimum requirements, you’ll have flexibility in style and features. You’ll see plenty of practical designs, along with options that match your personal look. Your pet will care most about comfort and airflow, while you’ll appreciate features that make airport navigation easier.
Keep these tips in mind:
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Soft-sided carriers are usually easier to angle and slide under the seat than hard-sided carriers.
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Carriers with wheels or a comfortable shoulder strap are a big help when you’re walking through busy terminals. Just note that some airlines don’t allow wheeled carriers, so always confirm with your airline first.
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Your pet’s carrier typically counts as your carry-on item. Look for designs with pockets or storage so you can keep essentials—like a leash, a small toy, treats, and even some of your own items—within reach.
Top-rated in-cabin carrier options:
Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier
The Sherpa Original Deluxe is part of the brand’s Guaranteed On-Board™ program on participating airlines for qualifying sizes, which can offer extra peace of mind. The small and medium sizes are designed for pets up to 22 lbs., with a soft, cozy interior and an adjustable shoulder strap for easier handling. These carriers fold flat for storage and come in several colors, combining comfort for your pet with convenience and style for you.
Mr. Peanut’s Gold Series Pet Carrier
This duffle-style carrier is well regarded for both design and safety features. It includes self-locking zippers, a roll-away privacy flap, mesh panels for ventilation, a storage pocket, a name tag holder, and an internal leash tether. It offers multiple access points, comes in several attractive colors, and is available in a range of models and sizes to better match your pet and your airline’s under-seat dimensions.
Hard Plastic Travel Kennels
For most international relocations, pets travel as manifest cargo rather than in-cabin. Cargo kennels are engineered for durability and safety first. There are no decorative extras—every element is built to protect your pet from takeoff to landing and through any layovers.
IATA-Compliant hard plastic travel kennels should:
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Have smooth interior surfaces with no sharp edges, rough spots, or exposed hardware your pet could chew or scratch on.
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Provide secure, IATA-compliant ventilation openings and window/door placement that allow your pet to see out and breathe easily, while preventing paws, noses, or teeth from getting caught.
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Be constructed from heavy-duty materials that can withstand handling and turbulence.
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Include a strong, escape-resistant door with reliable locking mechanisms, even for clever or determined pets.
Correct sizing is non-negotiable for international travel. Your pet must be able to:
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Stand upright without ears touching the top of the crate
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Turn around comfortably
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Lie down in a natural position
Accurate measurements are essential to avoid airline rejection or discomfort in flight.
Think of your pet’s travel kennel as their “home away from home” during the journey. It shields them from external stressors and gives them a secure, familiar space. The earlier you choose the crate, the more time your pet has to get used to it, which can significantly reduce anxiety during travel.
Top-rated cargo crate options:
The Petmate Sky Kennel is widely used for international pet travel. It features a single-unit metal door with a robust 4-point locking system to help prevent escapes, plus ventilation on all four sides to meet typical international requirements. Many sizes include clip-on food and water dishes and “Live Animals” labels, which are often needed for check-in. The crate comes in multiple sizes and disassembles for storage. For many airlines, you will need to replace the included plastic fasteners with metal hardware to fully meet their flight standards.
The Pet-Express crate offers similar construction and safety benefits to the Sky Kennel, with the added advantage that it typically ships with metal bolts already included—something many airlines now expect. Sizing runs differently than Petmate, so you’ll want to measure carefully and compare your pet’s dimensions to the manufacturer’s internal measurements before ordering.
Certain breeds that airlines or destination countries classify as “fighting” or “high-risk” often require specialized equipment. Zinger CR-82 crates are heavy-duty aluminum kennels designed to meet IATA CR-82 requirements for these specific breeds on international flights. These crates provide additional containment and impact protection, but they’re specialized tools for particular regulatory cases and not necessary for everyday travel or for breeds not subject to CR-82 rules.
Want to know more?
Online reviews and word-of-mouth from other pet parents can be a great starting point, but regulations change, and every airline and route can be a little different. The most reliable way to secure an IATA-compliant, airline-accepted, properly sized crate is to let the Starwood Pet Travel team manage it for you as part of your relocation plan.
If your pet will not be flying in the cabin, their cargo kennel becomes one of the most important pieces of their entire move. It’s their personal space during flights, transfers, and layovers—keeping them secure, contained, and as comfortable as possible. Whichever option you choose, purchase the crate well in advance so your pet has time to explore it, rest in it, and build positive associations. That familiar, secure “den” feeling can make a meaningful difference in how relaxed and safe they feel throughout their journey.
