Why are dogs a man’s best friend?
Well, they seem to come into our lives whenever we finally decide to settle down.
However, it can be hard to move around, let alone travel with them. The good news is, even though traveling with your furry friend can present a unique set of challenges, it is possible to secure travel with them.
How?
If you love traveling, and you also love to do so with your pooch, the best airline approved pet carrier will simplify most of the issues related to traveling with your pets.
We review some of the best pet carriers for air travel that will allow you to safely and securely travel with your dog.
Best Airline Approved Pet Carriers
- Best Overall: Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
- Runner’s Up: AmazonBasics Travel Carrier
- Best Waterproof: Better World Dog Crate
- Best Budget Buy: Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Carrier
- Best Mobile Bed: Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
AmazonBasics Travel Carrier
Better World Dog Crate
Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Carrier
Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
Reviews of The Best Airline Approved Pet Carrier for 2019
#1. Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
Best Overall
Suitable for toy dog breeds
Durable floor pad
Car seat belt loop
Not ideal for bigger dogs
Sherpa Travel Carrier is perfect for pet parents looking for a deluxe airline approved pet carrier. Sherpa is a famous brand for buying pet carriers. They manufacture dog carriers with sturdy construction, quality materials, and long-lasting products.
It is particularly perfect for pet owners who like to travel because it is recommended and friendly for airline travels. It abides by the rules and regulations of airline companies. Those who have airline transport plans should consider this best pet carrier for flying.
Even though it is airline approved, it can also be used for a car ride. It comes with a strap that comes in handy when handling the carriers and fastening the car seat belt.
The side walls are made of meshed ventilation nets which offer maximum airflow inside. However, the mesh net can limit your dog’s outside vision.
It also features a solid base that stays put even after several usages. This soft-sided dog carrier can be used several times because it has a good design structure that is rigid and lightweight.
The only downside to this carrier is the fact that it is not suitable for dogs bigger than toy breed pooches.
#2. AmazonBasics Travel Carrier
Runner’s Up
Airline approved
Economical
Meshed net ventilation
Not suitable for anxious dogs
This AmazonBasics product doubles up as a dog carrier as well as a soft-sided dog carrier. On the plus side, it is also airline approved. Even so, it can easily be used for all the purposes.
Compared to most traveling crates, this carrier is more useful in more ways other than being used as an indoor crate.
It has two opening doors, one on the front and another on the top of the carrier. It can be used when you go shopping with your dog, on car rides, or just going to the park.
Every wall of the carrier has enough ventilation nets. However, if your pooch is anxious all the time, the ventilation nets may not be such a useful feature. If this is the case, you can use a dog carrier cover to help your pooch calm down.
#3. Better World Dog Crate
Best Waterproof
Maximum air flow
Includes dog carrier pad
Robust, attractive, rugged design
Suitable for small dog breeds only
This travel dog crate features premium quality, premium price, and functional design.
It is particularly suitable for toy breed dogs. Its quality is pretty impressive seeing as you can use it for years without spotting single damage.
It is effortless to carry because it is lightweight. The construction and design consist of vents. It has a maximum of optimum meshed net and fabric walls for ventilation.
This travel carrier is perfect for dogs suffering from separation anxiety because it allows limited airflow and limited light intrusion.
It is also made up of quality components that can easily hold your rambunctious little mutt. If you put his favorite toy inside, you won’t have to worry about the comfort of your puppy.
It features two opening doors or curtains — one at the top and another on the side. The doors allow your door to look outside. You can also choose to keep the top door open, and your pet can look at the road and the outdoors.
It comes with a waterproof bed, which means you don’t have to shop for a dog carrier bed separately. The bed keeps your pooch warm and prevent carrier soiling at the same time.
#4. Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Carrier
Best Budget Buy
Carrier and crate in one
Foldable for storage
Maximum air ventilation
Base prone to twisting
Front door not very durable
This soft-sided carrier stands out as one of the best utility dog carriers. This carrier can be used for both dogs and cats. It is more of a canine bearer than a case.
It’s an immaculate utility puppy hotel as well as a reasonable pooch transporter. It is a foldable component that is easy to fold. Without much of a stretch, you can easily unfasten the utility canine box and easily crease the round divider inside.
The utility dog container has double layer nylon with durable texture. The base of the pooch hotel has a firm outer help.
The base holds the pup inside with tendency. It is mostly useful for toy breed pooches, and the puppy can effortlessly stretch and settle. Airflow inside is maximum thanks to the air ventilation.
#5. Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
Best Mobile Bed
Durable fabric
Washable bedding & water-resistant linen
Straps into car’s seat belt
Too small for most dogs
Not a lot of ventilation
If you have a small nervous dog or a new puppy, this is a secure and cozy travel carrier option that will make traveling with your buddy fun and easy.
It comes with a shoulder strap that makes it comfortable for you to carry your pet from the car to your destination with ease. This is an essential feature because it allows you to keep your puppy away from other dogs until its safe for him.
You can easily remove the domed top of the carrier and use it as a comfortable bed for your pooch. If you use this carrier a bed for your dog, it will significantly reduce the stress of traveling.
This carrier is of an ultra-plush polyester inside and durable luggage-grade nylon outside. It comes with a padded handle and shoulder strap that allows you to carry your dog around easily.
It also comes with washable bedding that has a water-resistant foam liner. Hence you can use this carrier for a long time without it getting spoilt.
Is Taking Your Dog On An Airplane Worth The Risk?
The same way air travel is stressful for you; it can be just as stressful for your pooch.
No matter how smooth the landing, whether the flight was friendly or the timely departure, it can be so dangerous.
Temperatures can wildly fluctuate, commercial jets conditions in the cargo hold are not always friendly, the air pleasure can significantly drop, and the noise can be tremendous.
In real sense, flying can be frightening for dogs, especially tiny dogs. Just like humans, they can sense when the pressure changes and its scary for them. They don’t know what is happening, and so flying can be so frightening for them.
But you consider your pooch as part of the family, right? So you want to bring them along for vacations.
However, here’s the thing: the airline doesn’t consider your pet as a member of your family.
They consider him cargo!
It sucks, yes! However, it’s true.
Hence before flying with your pet, you need to do your homework. The Delta’s website mainly provides detailed and length information on possible hazards for your dog when traveling by plane.
However, just because an airline accepts your pooch as checked baggage, doesn’t mean the conditions will are going to be safe or comfortable for him.
Hence, current regulations require airlines based in America to report all incidents involving pets.
Here are some of the ways you can keep your dog safe when flying:
- Avoid flying your pets during hot summer months
- Make sure your pet is fit to fly by visiting your veterinarian
- When possible, purchase a space in the passenger cabin for your pet
- Don’t fly snub-nosed dogs. Because of their respiratory problems, they can quickly die on airlines
- If you plan to travel with your pet, arrange for a direct flight. Having to transfer, increases the chances of delay and other mishaps which can cause stress to your pet
- Always remind baggage handlers and airline staff that there is a live dog if you must check your dog into the baggage hold to ensure gentle handling.
- If you plan to return soon, the best thing to do is leave your pet at home and look forward to a happy reunion.
How to Crate Train Your Pooch for Travel in a Pet Carrier
Crate training is the most crucial part of planning for safe travel with your pet in an airline approved pet carrier.
Traveling with your pet is a significant life event that tends to inspire anxiety in both you and your dog. To ease this kind of anxiety, you need to make sure your pet is comfortable in your travel kennel or backpack carrier.
To eliminate potential stress caused by cargo pet travel, here are a few steps that should help you crate train your pet before travel:
Start Slow
If your dog has never traveled or used a travel crate before, he might be skeptical of it.
In this case, start slow. Rather than set up the entire best airline dog carrier at first, start by placing just the bottom of the crate in your dog’s common area.
Once your mutt gets used to the bottom of the crate, proceed to add the top of the crate. When he is comfortable with both the bottom and the top, then continue to add the door.
Start Early
Don’t wait until the night before the travel.
The minute a journey is planned, the first thing you need to do is buy the best airline approved pet carrier and include it as part of the crate training process. This means that you need to get the right airline approved pet carrier size.
Make sure that you choose the right airline-approved travel carrier. Once you do, start crate training your pooch for travel early to put them in a much better position to enjoy a low-stress journey.
Patience is Key
Crate acclimation is essential. However, the last thing you want to do is rush or force the crate training process.
If you start early, then you’ll have a few weeks to leverage and allow your dog to come around to seeing the best dog carriers for planes as a positive item.
During the crate training period, behave normally and give your pup enough time to get used to this change of scenery on their own time.
Normalize the Carrier
Many pet parents have found placing treats and toys inside the crate to encourage the dog’s exploration of the crate successfully.
You can start by placing your pet’s food bowl in the crate during regular feeding times and then gradually, start purring the bowl farther inside on subsequent days.
Eventually, your pooch will start moving in and out of the best pet carrier for air travel and choosing to hang out there during playtime or for naps on his own.
Reward with Positive Reinforcement
You will find that rewarding your furry buddy whenever they do something to be very helpful.
Verbal praise treats, and affection can go a long way when you are trying to reinforce new behaviors in your pet.
Rewarding with positive reinforcement is an added advantage considering the time you spent getting your pooch to like his travel carrier. It helps relieve stress as you prepare for the travel as well as strength your bend.
Try A Few Trial Runs
Once your mutt us comfortable with the best rolling dog carrier, trying him in it closed and run a few errands with him in the carrier.
You could start with just a couple of minutes and keep working your way up. If this goes well, proceed to load your pet and the crate in the car and take short drives around town.
This allows your pooch to start seeing the crate life as safe and no big deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
These carriers can be used for both airline and car travels. However, make sure the best airline approved dog carrier meets the Airlines specific guidelines and requirements for flying pets.
Road trippers have different needs, if you’re looking for something to take your pooch on trips, you should check out this article.
Before buying a pet carrier, first measure, and weigh your pet carefully. Measure the length of your pet from the tip of the neck to the base of the tail.
Make sure your pet is standing when measuring the height, then measure from the floor to the shoulder. The aim is to make sure your pet has enough space to lie down, stand up, and turn around comfortably.
Conclusion
The best airline approved pet carrier meets IATA regulations and can also be used in the car. In this case, we find, Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier, perfect for pet owners looking to travel in style and comfort whether by car or plane.
We analyzed the features of these models, determined their value for your money, the advantages, and the flaws because making sure your canine companion is safe while traveling is vital.
