Traveling with your pet can be such an adventure for the both of you! Knowing what to expect before you leave home is the key to enjoying your trip.

Before you buy a pet carrier or cage you need to know what size to get. Measuring your dog correctly can make the difference between easy or hard house training, getting on the flight without delay or having the right size of cage for your car.

With a few easy tips you should be on your way to buying just the right size cage or carrier for your beloved pet!

There isn’t one sizing chart to follow, the best determination can only be made if the actual pet is being measured and manufacturer recommendations are being followed.
As a general guide:

• For starters, you should make sure that your pet is standing. You won't get accurate measurements if the dog is sitting or lying down.

• Weight should be used as a guideline only as it will not give an accurate length or width.

• Remember, that certain breeds e.g. greyhound, dachshund or an over or underweight dog may need a custom fit.

• There are two measurements that need to be made in order to get the correct fit.

• For the length, one of the most important measurements, measure the backbone of the dog from the base of the neck to the start of the tail. That's the start of the tail ---not the very tip. Just the base of the dog's back where the tail starts. Start the neck measurement where the collar would sit naturally on the pet's back.

• Also measure around the chest 1/2"behind the front legs. This is the thickest part of the chest. Remember that this may vary by breed.

• Above all, see individual product items for recommendations made by specific manufacturers for sizing.

Before purchasing your Airline Pet Carrier make sure you know your Airlines’ particular requirements as each one may differ from the other. We have collected some information you may find useful.
 
American Airlines
www.aa.com

Pet acceptance not guaranteed until the animal is presented to airline personnel. Animals accepted two to four hours before departure, with some exception.

In-Cabin Kennel Size: 23" long x 9" high
Requirements: Pets that do not fit under the seat can travel as cargo between May 15 and September 15. A pet cannot travel if it is less than 45 degrees, unless your veterinarian provides a written document stating your pet can acclimate to colder temperatures. A licensed and approved pet transportation company must ship unaccompanied pets.

Delta Airlines
www.delta.com
Telephone: (800) 352-2746

Pets accepted in-cabin on first come, first served basis, except on AeroMexico flights. Pets not accepted as checked baggage from May 15 until September 15, but shipped as cargo during that time provided the temperature does not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit; Other weather-related restrictions apply year-round.
 
In Cabin Kennel Size: 17" long x 8" high
Requirements: Unaccompanied pets must be shipped by a licensed and approved pet transportation company. Health certificate must be dated within 10 days of flight; pet reservation with a limit of 2 pets per cabin. Delta will not transport if your pet might be exposed to temperatures less than 45 or greater than 85 degrees for longer than 45 minutes. For more information contact Delta's "pet cargo desk" at 800-352-2746.

United Airlines
Telephone: (800) 864-8331

Fees are calculated for domestic travel one way; international rates vary by destination
your dog or cat can travel in three ways: in the cabin with you, accompanying you as checked baggage or unaccompanied as cargo. All options require advance reservations and are subject to a charge. If you are bringing a pet other than a dog or cat, please contact us to make sure your pet can be accepted for travel. Call United Airlines™ reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) in the U.S. for complete details.

Air Canada
Telephone: (800) 361-8071
www.aircanada.ca

Carry-On Dimensions: L 21” x W 15.5” x H9.5”
Fee:  + tax for domestic flights
International flights vary upon destination

Continental Airlines
Telephone: (800) 575-3335

Transports pets as cargo and small pets in cabin. International restrictions and cargo reservations required at least 24 hours before scheduled departure, but accepted in advance In-cabin pet reservations required at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure.
 
In Cabin Kennel Size: 22" long x 9" high
Cargo Fees: (one way) using an extra-large kennel (500 series)
In Cabin Kennel Size: 22" long x 9" high
Requirements: Health certificate; unaccompanied pets must be shipped by a licensed and approved pet transportation company or you may make a special application which takes two weeks to process. Cargo travel is also weather dependent - your pet cannot be exposed to temperatures of less than 45 degrees or greater than 85 degrees for longer than 45 minute. For more information, contact the "live animal desk" at (800) 575-3335.

Alaskan Air

Animals flown as passenger baggage or cargo Bookings are required at least 24 hours in advance for pet flights.

North American Fee: 
In-Cabin Kennel Size: 17" long x 8" high
Requirements: Unaccompanied pets must be shipped by a licensed and approved pet transportation company. Health certificate, pet space needs to be reserved with a 24 hour lead time; limit of one pet per cabin

Air Sunshine-Florida
Telephone (800) 327-8900

Cabin and Cargo Fees apply. In-Cabin Kennel Size: 17" long x 8" high
Requirements: Must have a current health certificate and reserve kennel space (transported in the back of the plane)

America West
No pets in cargo compartment, but a limited number of pets allowed in cabin; restrictions on flights to Mexico, Request pet space when making reservations.
In-Cabin Kennel Size: 17" long x 10.5" high
Requirements: Unaccompanied pets must be shipped by a licensed and approved pet.

Cape Air
In-Cabin Kennel Size: No kennel required In-Cabin
Cargo Fees: None, small fee if flying from New Bedford.
Cape Air makes it easy to fly with your pet. The planes are small, and so pets are allowed in the cabin as long as they remain restrained during the flight.
 
Frontier Airlines
One in-cabin pet accepted, two pets accepted as checked baggage or cargo.
Advanced booking required.

Cabin and Cargo Fees:
In Cabin Kennel Size: 17" long x 8" high
Requirements: Unaccompanied pets must be shipped by a licensed and approved pet transportation company. Health certificate dated within 10 days of flight with a limit of 2 pets in cabin; cargo space limited to 1 large kennel or 2 medium kennels, or 3 small kennels.

Midway Airlines
Pets not accepted as checked baggage or cargo from July 1, 2001 until August 31, 2001.
In-cabin pet travel allowed

Charge for in-cabin travel: full passenger fare
Charge for cargo/baggage travel varies plus applicable taxes and fees.
Nantucket Airlines
Cabin and Cargo Fees: None, small fee if flying from New Bedford.
In-Cabin Kennel Size: No kennel required
Nantucket Air makes it easy to fly with your pet. The planes are small, and so pets are allowed in the cabin as long as they remain restrained during the flight.

Southwest Airlines
www.swa.com

Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals in the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment other than fully trained service animals accompanying a person with a disability or being delivered to a person with a disability.

U.S. Airways
www.usairways.com

Carry-on pets are allowed on the flight with the customer for an extra charge each way and limited to small domestic dogs, cats and birds, which are considered to be traditional household pets.
 
Northwest Airlines
Your pet can travel accompanied on Northwest as checked luggage on your flight, carry-on luggage in the cabin or a service animal.

British Airways
www.britishairways.com

Accompanied Pets - allows you and your pet to travel together on the same flight. The pet checks-in with you at the passenger terminal and rejoins you on arrival in the baggage hall at the destination airport. This service is available to most British Airways destinations. Please see below for restrictions.

Unaccompanied Pets - This product is available when you are unable to travel with your pet, or your pet is not a cat or dog, or your pet is traveling into the UK on the Pets Travel Scheme. Your pet must be taken to our cargo terminal and should be collected by you, or a nominated person, from the cargo terminal at the destination airport.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/pet/public/en_us?prim=custsupp&sec=specassist

Air France
www.airfrance.com

Limited to dogs and cats weighing less than 5 kg, service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, regardless of weight and some small mammals and birds (please ask when reserving your flight).

Lufthansa
Telephone: (800) 399-LUFT

Transport of pets while traveling with Lufthansa is possible on most flights with prior reservation and for a nominal fee. Only cats and dogs (one per passenger) are permitted to travel in the passenger cabin, and a limited number of animals are permitted on each flight, dependent upon the route and aircraft type; all other animals including cats and dogs over 8 kilograms (18 pounds) or kennels whose dimensions exceed 22 x 16 x 8 inches (55 x 40 x 20 centimeters) must be transported in the climate-controlled hold of the plane, even if you are on the same flight as your pet. Please note that information regarding kennels, fees, and necessary documentation, as well as requests for pet reservations, may not at this time be handled by e-mail; to process these requests please contact your local Lufthansa reservations office at (800) 399-LUFT.

Jet Blue
Telephone: (800) 538-2583
www.jetblue.com

Carry-On dimensions: L 18” x W 15” x H 8”
Fee: vary one way on domestic flights
 
The following are quick links to additional information regarding airlines that allow pets to travel in the cabin provide you meet all requirements.

AirTran Airways
Alaska Airlines
Aloha Airlines
America West Airlines
American Airlines
ATA Airlines
Comair
Continental
Delta
Horizon Air
Island Air
JetBlue Airways
Northwest Airlines
Ted
United Airlines
US Airways
Virgin America
 
For more information about flying with your Pet visit PetFlight  airline travel information for your pet.