The Best Airplane-Friendly Pet Carriers, According to Experts

With bold colors and patterns, Roverlund’s soft-sided carrier has a distinct and appealing design, but the experts I spoke to agreed that it doesn’t just look good — it’s a truly versatile choice all around. It features a shoulder strap that can be converted into an extra-strong rope leash, plus its structured yet flexible frame makes it suitable for flying, no matter how much leg room you have. Ana Prodanovich, co-founder of the pet-care brandWelltayl, loves that it’s airline-compliant across most major carriers, and the rear pocket has a removable insert allowing it to compress for smaller plane seats. “What I like about it is that it doesn’t feel like a single-use item: It works as a carrier, a travel bag, and a mobile bed,” Prodanovich says. “The shoulder strap doubles as a leash, the bottom is waterproof, the fleece liner comes out and washes clean, and the whole thing folds flat when you’re not using it.”

Another fan of the Roverlund carrier is Dr. Mahsa Vazin, founder ofPawCoandGenius Dog, who says it’s the one she consistently recommends to pet parents.After using it for nearly two years for both flights and longer trips around the city, Vazin has found that “it strikes the perfect balance between durability and weight.” She appreciates that it holds its shape well, has great airflow, and stays comfortable to carry even over extended periods. And if you’re looking to make it even easier to move around the airport, the brand also sells aWheel Base, designed to be paired with your Roverlund carrier for added mobility.

In a previous version of this story, Sherpa was the most mentioned brand among our experts — and the most affordable option on this list at under $50. The company partners with several major airlines (including Southwest, United, and Delta) through a program calledGuaranteed on Board, which liaises between pet owners and airlines by allowing owners to submit a form to their airline with their flight details, pet’s information, and the type of carrier they’ll be using. If you’re denied boarding because of an issue related to your carrier, Guaranteed on Board will reimburse you for the cost of your flight and any associated pet fees. (Only Sherpa carriers are eligible for the program, which is overseen by its parent company.) Buehler also approves of the Sherpa Original Deluxe for airline travel. It has top and side access, a removable and machine-washable liner, and a flexible spring-wire frame that allows the carrier to fit under most airline seats.

If you own any of Away’s luggage, you’ll appreciate how this carrier will seamlessly (and securely) sit on top of any rolling suitcase thanks to the trolley sleeve.Daniel Haarburger, founder of the pet-product brandWoof, tells me that he always points folks to the Away Pet Carrier because it “hits that sweet spot between good design, functionality, and comfort.”Malia Stevens, a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, says lots of her clients use the Away carrier when flying with their small dogs. She says it’s “very popular as an alternative to the Sherpa, which was the airline gold standard for a long time.” It has travel-ready features, including removable sherpa bedding, a large side pocket, and a retractable privacy screen. It’s also designed to fit under the seat on most major airlines and meetsFAA requirements.

Designed with naturally flame-resistant fabric plus a solid base, locking zippers, and an attachable side-impact protection guard, Tavo’s Dupree carrier is made for trips on the road and in the air. Prodanovich says it’s her pick if she wanted one carrier to cover both car and plane travel. “It uses ISOFIX latches, the same anchor system as infant car seats, and it’s crash tested,” Prodanovich says. The flexible frame compresses to fit under a seat, and it’s packed with features.” The Dupree also comes with a luggage tag, an AirTag holder, and two machine-washable mattress pads. I personally ownTavo’s Maevepet car seat (which doesn’t exactly work for airplane travel because of the canopy cover), and I’m amazed by the premium materials and high safety standards.

If you’re looking for a carrier with a bit more structure, the Sleepypod Air comes recommended by Dr. Jennifer Sperry, veterinarian forSpot Pet Insurance. “Its secure zipper design, internal tether, and rigid structure work together to prevent dogs from forcing their way out during high-risk moments like loading, unloading, or clinic visits,” Sperry tells me. It’s not the first time we’ve heard about this brand, which made appearances in our guide to thebest car seats for dogsandeverything you need to fly with a cat, where it was among the best cat carriers. A stiff bottom prevents the carrier from sagging, and it collapses down flat for easy storage.

Mr. Peanut’s double expandable carrier gives your pet some extra room thanks to the double expandable sides. You can zip up the expandable panels before boarding to make sure the case fits your airline’s regulations, and then open them up on the plane to let your cat or dog stretch out. Joanna Maddison, founder of pet-charter serviceSkye Pets, says it’s well designed and a popular dog carrier (we’ve recommended the airplane-friendly brand in a previous version of this story, and experts have noted that the roll-down flaps help keep “the airline draft out when you are flying”). The biggest draw is the fact that it’s expandable on two sides, giving your furry friend tons of extra space. According to the product description, it meetsFederal Aviation Administrationrequirements and fits under the seat on most major airlines.

A backpack can come in handy if you’re toting othercarry-ons, and it’s still plenty comfortable for your pet. The backpack features four-way access on the sides, front, and top, where there’s a mesh opening for a pet to poke out their head, and when flat under the seat in front of you, it allows most small dogs to lay either straight or curled up. Alison Buehler, a certified separation-anxiety specialist and owner ofDharma Dog NYC, says the PetAmi backpack is a great example of a carrier that ticks all the important boxes: It prioritizes physical comfort and emotional experience, is highly secure, and easy to carry in a variety of situations. With a highly ventilated design, your pet will have plenty of airflow while under the seat.