How to Choose the Best Airline-Approved Dog Carrier

Our first carrier bag was terrible. I didn’t know it at the time — I thought it was great, actually. It was small, it expanded on both sides, it had mesh everywhere for ventilation. It seemed perfect for a 7-month-old Westie taking his first flight.

Then we almost didn’t fly because of it.

The agent at check-in looked at Sami inside the bag, decided he didn’t look comfortable enough, and told us we couldn’t bring him in the cabin. She wanted us to put him in cargo. We refused — we’ll never put Sami in cargo — and it turned into a whole ordeal that I’ve talked about before. We got lucky that time. But it taught me something important: the carrier bag isn’t just an accessory. It’s the single most important piece of equipment for flying with your dog.

Since then, we’ve gone through three different carriers over 20+ flights. Here’s what I’ve learned about choosing the right one.

Soft-Sided vs. Hard-Shell: Go Soft

There are two types of airline carriers: hard-shell plastic ones (the kind you see at the vet) and soft-sided fabric ones. For flying, go with a soft-sided carrier. Always.

Two reasons. First, it’s lighter. When the airline weight limit includes the bag, every gram the carrier weighs is a gram your dog can’t weigh. A hard-shell carrier can weigh 3-4 kg. A good soft-sided one weighs 1-1.5 kg. That difference alone can determine whether your dog clears the weight check or not.

Second, soft bags are flexible. If you get a carrier that’s slightly taller or wider than the airline’s stated maximum, it’ll still compress and fit under the seat. A hard-shell carrier is the exact size it is, no give. And honestly, in my experience, nobody has ever pulled out a tape measure at check-in to measure our soft bag. The bag fits under the seat, the dog looks comfortable, everyone moves on.

Some airlines specifically require soft-sided carriers. So check your airline’s pet policy before you buy anything.

Size: Go Slightly Bigger, Not Smaller

This is counterintuitive, and I got it wrong the first time.

My instinct was to get a smaller bag, thinking it would be easier to fit under the seat. Bad idea. Sami was cramped, he couldn’t turn around properly, and the check-in agent noticed immediately.

My advice: go for a carrier that’s slightly larger than the airline’s stated maximum dimensions. I know that sounds risky, but here’s why it works. Most airlines list maximum dimensions of something like 55 × 40 × 23 cm (length × width × height). The height is the tricky one — 23 cm is really short for most dogs that aren’t Chihuahuas.

We switched to a carrier that’s 28-30 cm tall instead of 23. Sami can almost stand in it (he’s about 29 cm to the shoulder), and when the bag is zipped, it still compresses enough to slide under the seat. No airline has ever measured it. What they care about is: does the bag fit? And does the dog look comfortable? A slightly larger bag answers both questions better than a too-small one.

For terrier-sized dogs especially — Westies, Jack Russells, Mini Schnauzers — the standard carrier height just doesn’t work. You need those extra centimeters. We talk more about this in our guide to flying with terrier breeds.

What to Look for in a Good Carrier

After three carriers and many flights, here’s what actually matters.

Ventilation. At least 2-3 sides with mesh panels. Your dog is going to be in there for hours — during check-in, security, boarding, the flight itself. Good airflow is non-negotiable. Most quality carriers have mesh on the sides and front, so this is usually not an issue, but check anyway.

Multiple openings. You want a bag that opens from the top AND the front. The top opening is great for letting your dog pop their head out while you’re walking through the airport (most airlines allow this outside the plane). The front opening is how they’ll enter and exit. The more zippers, the more flexibility you have.

Removable, washable bottom. Flights are long. Accidents happen. You want a bottom pad that you can take out and throw in the washing machine. Most decent carriers have this. And here’s a bonus tip: the bottom insert is also the heaviest part of the bag. If you ever need to shave a few hundred grams off the total weight at check-in, you can remove the bottom insert and put it in your backpack instead.

Sturdy construction. We had a carrier where the internal metal wires broke after a few flights. The bag lost its shape, which meant it didn’t hold up under the seat properly. A collapsed bag means an uncomfortable dog and potentially an annoyed flight attendant. Look for reinforced sides and quality zippers.

Foldable design. Between flights, you need somewhere to store this thing. A carrier that folds flat is much more practical than one that keeps its shape permanently.

The Carriers We’ve Used (and What We Recommend)

I’ve tried three carriers over the years. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Sherpa Original Deluxe (our current bag, size L). This is the one we use now and it’s been great. The right size for Sami, good quality zippers, opens from the top and front, comfortable handles and shoulder strap. It has this sherpa-lined bottom that’s warm and cozy, and you can take it out and wash it. It’s sturdy — feels like it can handle some rough treatment. And it folds flat for storage. The only downside: it’s slightly heavier than the Amazon Basics option, which matters when you’re close to the weight limit.

Amazon Basics carrier (size L). This was our second bag and we used it for about three years. It’s cheaper, lighter than the Sherpa, and perfectly decent quality. Not quite as solid — the zippers are fine but nothing special, and it doesn’t feel as durable. But for the price, it was great. And because it’s lighter, it’s actually the better choice if your dog is dangerously close to the weight limit. When every gram counts, the lighter bag wins.

The expandable bag (our first bag). I don’t even remember the brand. It was small but could expand on both sides, roughly doubling in size. The idea was great — tiny for check-in, spacious for the flight. The problem was that it was tiny. Sami looked cramped in it when it was compressed, and that’s what the check-in agent reacted to. If your dog is small enough (under 5 kg), an expandable bag like this could work well. For a terrier-sized dog, I’d skip it.

If I had to pick one: Sherpa Original Deluxe for most dogs, Amazon Basics if weight is your primary concern.

Got a carrier you love that I haven’t mentioned? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for better options and I know a lot of people reading this are too.