The 5 best airline-approved cat carriers of 2024, tested and reviewed

• Best soft-sided
• Best expandable
• Best budget
• Best backpack
• Best for cargo
• How we tested
• Airline cat carrier FAQs
• How to prepare a cat for flying
• Rules for flying with a cat in cargo

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Air travel with a cat is stressful, but one of the best airline-approved cat carriers can make it easier. Whether your cat is flying at your feet in the plane cabin or traveling in the cargo hold, a durable carrier with some key features will ensure your pet's comfort and safety, and your peace of mind.

To select the best carriers for flying with a cat, we spoke with a veterinarian and pet travel experts and tested 20 different airline-friendly pet carriers. Our top pick, the Wild One Travel Carrier, is a versatile option with plenty of convenient features. If you're looking for a more affordable airline cat carrier, the simple Elite Field Carrier will keep your kitty comfortable from the beginning to the end of your journey.

Keep in mind that carrier size requirements vary by airline. Delta, American Airlines, and United allow pet carriers up to 18 inches long by 11 inches wide by 11 inches high. Some airlines have smaller maximum sizes, so make sure to check the airline's website before embarking with your pet.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers

Best soft-sided: Wild One Travel Carrier - See at Wild One
The uniquely designed Wild One Travel Carrier offers comfort and convenience in the air and at your destination.

Best expandable: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier - See at Amazon
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier unzips to almost double in size, providing a cat with extra room on long travel days.

Best budget: Elite Field Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Carrier - See at Chewy
The Elite Field Soft-Sided Airline Approved Carrier has most of the features of pricier carriers for a rock-bottom price.

Best backpack: Mr. Peanut's Backpack Carrier - See at Amazon
Mr. Peanut's Backpack Carrier is comfortable to wear and has a spacious interior for your precious cargo.

Best for cargo: Gunner G1 Medium Dog Kennel - See at Gunner
The super-strong Gunner G1 Medium Kennel was the only pet carrier durable enough to pass our tests with flying colors.

Best soft-sided: Wild One Travel Carrier

• Dimensions: 17.5" L X 11" W X 10" H
• Total ventilation: 31%
• Folds flat for storage: Yes
• Available colors: Spruce, black, tan
• Warranty: Limited one-year warranty

Pros: Three ways to load, unzips into a bed, machine-washable mat, secure luggage strap, padded detachable shoulder strap converts into a leash, folds flat for storage, comes in three colors, limited one-year warranty

Cons: No padded carry handle

The innovatively designed Wild One Travel Carrier converts from an easy-to-transport bag to a comfortable, open pet bed in just a few zips. With a detachable padded shoulder strap that doubles as a leash and a cushioned machine-washable interior mat, this carrier is an ideal home-away-from-home at the airport and your destination.

The Wild One Travel Carrier has two important safety features: an interior tether and snaps on the zippers that prevent them from opening in transit. On the outside, there are two wide zipper pockets on one side and two small pockets on the other. The front and back doors both have zip-out privacy screens. A pet can also be loaded through the zippered top.

Wild One's carrier shined in testing among the best airline-approved cat carriers. It earned the highest scores in our scrape, zip, and goop tests, and its wide luggage strap kept the bag completely balanced on a rolling suitcase. It also has the most ventilation of any bag we tested.

It is comfortable enough to carry this bag by hand, but it lacks a padded carry strap. While it's among the pricier carriers we tested, for the wide range of features included in its modular design, it's well worth the extra cost.

Get $25 off each carrier you purchase from Wild One with code INSIDER20 at checkout.

Best expandable: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier

• Dimensions: 18" L X 10.5" W X 11" H
• Total ventilation: 18%
• Folds flat for storage: Yes
• Available colors: Platinum gray, deja blue
• Warranty: No

Pros: Front and top-loading carrier, expandable compartment increases carrier's size by more than 50%, secure luggage strap, padded detachable shoulder strap, washable interior plush bolster bed, comes in five colors, folds flat for storage

Cons: Limited pocket space, expandable section can't be used in flight, no warranty

On long travel days with endless time spent in airports, Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier offers jet-setting cats extra space to stretch out. When unzipped, a panel on its right side unfolds into a mesh atrium that more than doubles the interior space.

The spacious Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier is front- and top-loading with a roll-up privacy flap over the top door. It has plenty of ventilation to keep a cat from overheating. Inside, there is a soft plush bolster bed and safety tether. Outside is an adjustable padded shoulder strap and a faux leather carry handle. There is just one 10-by-4-inch mesh zip pocket at the back. When not in use, this bag folds flat for storage.

Mr. Peanut's carrier excelled in testing. The mesh remained intact in the scrape test, the zipper moved smoothly in the zip test, and the bag's interior and exterior came completely clean in the goop test. Although the bed is labeled hand-wash only, it looked nearly new after machine washing and air drying. 

On one side, this carrier has a luggage strap for slipping over the handle of a carry-on suitcase. It remained mostly balanced on luggage as we walked, slipping only about an inch to one side. Carrying on the shoulder was comfortable, and the strap was easily adjusted to the correct length.

While the expandable section of Mr. Peanut's carrier can't be used in flight, this feature makes it the best airline-approved cat carrier for cross-country flights with layovers and extended stays away from home.

Best budget: Elite Field Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Carrier

• Dimensions: 17-inch carrier: 17" L X 9" W X 12" H
  19-inch carrier: 19" L X 10" W X 13" H
• Total ventilation: 27.5%
• Collapses flat for storage: Yes
• Available colors: Black, pink, purple, sky blue, charcoal gray, sapphire blue
• Warranty: No

Pros: Padded detachable shoulder strap, padded carry handle, secure luggage strap, multiple pockets, washable interior mat, collapses flat for storage, comes in six colors and two sizes

Cons: Not top-loading, seam of interior mat ripped in washing, no warranty

The cozy Elite Field Soft-Sided Airline Approved Carrier is an excellent budget airline cat carrier. The bag not only has many of the features of our pricier picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers, but it also scored well in testing.

The Elite Field carrier has a soft fleece mat and safety tether inside and five different pockets outside, one of which unzips to convert into a luggage strap. The strap kept the carrier well-balanced on curbs and sidewalks. An adjustable padded shoulder strap and carry handle are comfortable to use. When carried on the shoulder, the bag flexes inward somewhat.

A whopping 27.5% of the Elite Field is covered in mesh ventilation, which earned the highest scores in our scrape and zip tests. While the bag's exterior and interior mat came completely clean in our goop test, a seam along the length of the mat split open in the washing machine. It still fits over its interior panel, and because that panel is covered in polyester, the tear doesn't compromise the mat's utility. It collapses inward to store flat.

The only significant features the Elite Field lacks are a top-loading door and a warranty. The carrier comes in two sizes and is flexible enough that even the longer version fits in a box measuring 18 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 11 inches high.

Best backpack: Mr. Peanut's Backpack Carrier

• Dimensions: 17" L X 10.6" W X 11" H
• Total ventilation: 17.5%
• Folds flat for storage: Yes
• Available colors: Platinum gray, charcoal ash, deja blue, purple
• Warranty: No

Pros: Comfortable padded back and straps, plush wrap-around interior mat, fits under seat in most airlines, several exterior pockets, locking zippers, folds flat for storage, available in four colors

Cons: Backpack straps are not removable, no warranty

If you aren't traveling with a rolling carry-on suitcase, a backpack carrier may be a more comfortable way for you and your cat to navigate the airport. Convenient, durable, and comfortable for both you and your cat, Mr. Peanut's Backpack Carrier is ideal for use before, during, and after a flight.

The carrier has adjustable padded straps, padded back panels, and an adjustable chest strap for you. For your cat, it has a luxurious plush mat that wraps around the interior for a soft ride on the back and when laid flat beneath an airline seat.

This backpack has two important safety features: an interior tether and buckling safety zippers. A roll-up privacy flap over the top panel serves as the front-loading door when the carrier is laid flat. There is a 7-by-7-inch zipper pocket on one side, and on the other, a mesh water bottle holder and two smaller pockets. At the end of the journey, the carrier folds flat for storage. 

Mr. Peanut's Backpack Carrier did well in testing, earning the highest scores in our scrape, zip, and goop tests. It also has more ventilation than the other backpacks we tested, with 17.5% of its surface area covered in mesh. The interior mat is labeled hand-wash only, but it held up well in the washing machine with air-drying.

Best for cargo: Gunner G1 Medium Dog Kennel

• Dimensions: 29.5" L X 20.5" W X 23.5" H
• Total ventilation: 7%
• Folds flat for storage: No
• Available colors: Gunmetal, tan
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Pros: Five-star crash-test rating, extremely tough, escape-proof, lifetime warranty

Cons: Expensive, heavy, does not fold for storage, limited ventilation

If you want to be sure that your cat will reach their destination safely when flying in cargo, Gunner's G1 Kennel is our top recommendation among the best airline-approved cat carriers. With double walls, a reinforced aluminum door frame, and a welded nylon and aluminum door, Gunner's G1 Kennel is the toughest crate we've ever seen. In crash tests conducted by the Center for Pet Safety in 2018, the Gunner G1 Medium Dog Kennel earned a five-star safety rating for pets up to 45 pounds, and it was the only kennel to withstand our drop testing. 

The Gunner G1 Kennel's door is escape-proof with a built-in key lock and a door that can be hung to open from the left or the right. At the bottom of the crate are elevated nonslip feet, and there are two extra-sturdy handles and built-in stainless steel tie-down pins on the top. The interior floor is recessed, so if your cat goes to the bathroom or spills their water in flight, the liquid will be funneled away from their bedding. 

At 38 pounds, the Gunner G1 Medium Kennel is the heaviest of those we tested, but that weight lends itself to the kennel's durability. It did not suffer any damage after being dropped 10 feet with a 10-pound weight inside, and when a bag of 30-pound weights was dropped on it from 10 feet above, it left behind only a small exterior divot.

The Gunner G1 Kennel does not have much ventilation or fold down for easy storage. Starting at $550, it's also the most expensive carrier we tested by far. Despite these downsides, there's no stronger, safer crate on the market. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty. 

How we tested airline-approved pet carriers

We developed our selection and testing criteria for this guide to the best airline-approved cat carriers with advice from our experts. The 20 carriers we evaluated underwent the tests described below.

Feature comparison: After conducting interviews with our experts, I created a point rubric for scoring each of the 17 soft-sided carriers based on the following features:

• Shape and design
• Interior mat
• Loading doors
• Carrying straps and handles
• Pockets
• Ventilation
• Interior safety tether
• No-escape petting hole
• ID tag
• Luggage strap
• Dimensions and in-cabin airline capability
• Safety certifications
• Storage

Scrape test: I scraped a mesh section of each soft-sided carrier 50 times with a fork to test its durability. When complete, I noted any damage or discoloration. 

Zip test: To test the durability of each carrier's zipper, I completely zipped and unzipped one of its loading entrances 50 times. In the process, I noted any changes in the zipper's ability to smoothly run its course.

Luggage test: Each soft-sided carrier with a luggage strap was attached to a suitcase handle, then rolled over a curb, up a ramp, and along the sidewalk and street of a city block. Inside the carriers, I placed a 10-pound weight and watched to see how well they remained balanced as we traveled.

Ventilation test: According to Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of Center for Pet Safety, ventilation is important to prevent a cat from overheating during travel. I measured the dimensions of each carrier's mesh panels and calculated the percentage of the total surface area they comprised. I favored bags with more ventilation. 

Walk test: I took each soft-sided carrier containing a 10-pound weight on a 15-minute walk around my neighborhood. Each was carried using the shoulder strap and held at the front of my body the way I would if I had a real cat inside. For the last block, I switched to using the carrier's hand-carry straps. The backpack carriers were taken on the same walk but were not carried by hand. With each, I paid attention to how comfortable it was to carry, how much it bounced, and whether it collapsed inwards as I walked.

Goop test: I devised the goop test to determine how easy the carriers would be to clean if a cat vomited or defecated in transit. I mashed together cat kibble, canned food, and water with a mortar and pestle to make the goop, then spread a tablespoon on the exterior wall and interior mat of the contenders. After 48 hours, I wiped the goop from their exteriors using dish soap and water and washed the mats in the washing machine. 

Drop test: This test was designed for hard-shelled cargo kennels. I brought the candidates to a local park and, with the help of my partner, loaded each kennel with a 10-pound weight and threw it off of a 10-foot play structure, looking for any damage that occurred upon landing. In the second test, we dropped a bag of 30-pound weights on top of the kennel from the 10-foot play structure to test for structural integrity.

Airline cat carrier FAQs

What is considered an airline-approved pet carrier?

To fly with a cat in the cabin of a plane, a soft-sided carrier must fit within the dimensions allowed by the airline, which vary a little from company to company. Within their parameters, make sure your cat has enough room to stand up, turn around, and comfortably lie down inside, says Wolko. Additionally, there should be at least 2 to 3 inches of clearance from the top of their ears to the interior roof of the crate.

How much does it cost to fly with a cat? 

Fees for flying with a pet in the cabin of a plane vary between carriers. At United Airlines, a one-way flight for your cat adds $125 to your ticket price. At Delta, there is a $95 fee for domestic flights. Flying a cat in the cargo hold on a domestic flight is typically about $300 per flight. Sending a cat on an international flight can cost up to triple that amount.

How much ventilation should a carrier have? 

For soft-sided carriers, Wolko says mesh ventilation should be on at least three sides of the bag. In cargo, airlines require that a kennel is ventilated on all four sides.

Do cats need to go to the bathroom on a flight? 

Unless a cat suffers from a medical condition, they will be fine without access to a litter box for the duration of a flight. "Just based on the physiology of cats, they could probably go from Boston to Hawaii and without needing to void," says Dr. Bob Murtaugh, a veterinarian and chief professional relations officer at Thrive Pet Healthcare.

In the cargo hold, kennels cannot be outfitted with a litter box or anything other than an absorbent liner and a soft bed or blanket. "If the travel day will be more than eight hours, during a layover pet owners can arrange a comfort stop for cats to be let out of their carrier," says Elaine Mathis, pet travel specialist and project manager at Happy Tails Travel.

Do cats need food and water on a flight? 

On shorter in-cabin flights, your cat will unlikely require food or water. However, if you're flying your cat in cargo, Mathis says a food bowl and water bowl should be in the carrier regardless of the flight length. She recommends using dishes that fasten to the crate's door and can be refilled easily from the outside, such as Lixit's Quick Lock Crock 10-ounce bowls.

What else does my cat need to fly?

Most airlines require a health certificate provided by a veterinarian to prove that a cat is safe to fly in the cabin or cargo hold.

What are the signs that my cat may be in distress in flight?

According to Murtaugh, a few obvious signs may indicate your cat is in distress during a flight, either due to fear or excessive heat. A cat that is panting, restless, and vocalizing could be experiencing significant anxiety or overheating. If the membranes in their gums turn bright red, the latter is most likely, and it's important to cool them off quickly. Placing the carrier on your lap so they can feel the air blowing from the vent above your seat or wiping them down with a wet cloth may help lower their body temperature.

How to prepare a cat for flying

 In the weeks before their trip, introduce your cat to their carrier or kennel in a positive way. "Make the carrier feel like a cave or a home or something that's comfortable, something that they're not just jammed into the first time they're on their way to the airport," says Murtaugh.

Place the carrier in an area of the home where your cat spends a lot of time and encourage them to explore it by placing catnip and treats inside or by playing with them in and around the space. 

Murtaugh says that taking your cat on a car ride or other forms of transportation while in their carrier may also be helpful in the weeks before the flight. He recommends placing a bed or blanket that smells like home inside the carrier and using a pheromone spray or collar to help take the edge off. 

If your cat has a history of experiencing debilitating stress during travel and will be flying in the cabin, you can speak to your vet about prescribing an anxiety-relieving medication. However, it's important to test medication out before your flight. "Make sure there won't be any untoward side effects," says Murtaugh. "Your vet can help you tailor that to your cat's needs."

Sedating a cat before flying in the cargo hold is not recommended by the International Air Transport Association. It can be fatal for old, chronically sick, or highly stressed animals.

Rules for flying with a cat in cargo

While working with an animal shipping professional can help make preparing your cat for travel less stressful, it is not required in the United States. International destinations may have other regulations for air-shipping pets. Always confirm your airline's requirements well in advance of your pet's flight. 

To air-ship a cat, the kennel must meet the following standards established by the International Air Transport Association:

Crate size: The interior width of a crate or kennel must be at least two times the width of a cat. The kennel's length must be at least the length of a cat plus half their height. The height of a carrier must be at least as tall as the animal's natural height in a standing position from the tip of the ears to the floor. Mathis recommends using a medium-size crate for cats that is at least 2 to 3 inches taller than this minimum. If you have a cat with a snub nose or smooshed face, the kennel must be 10% larger than for non-brachycephalic pets.

Crate material: A crate must be made from rigid plastic, wood, or metal with a solid roof containing no doors or ventilation. There should be only one metal door that closes securely. "If the crate looks cheap and flimsy, it's not suitable for air travel," says Mathis. 

Crate extras: Crates in cargo cannot have wheels, plastic doors, or plastic latches. They also cannot be collapsible or have a door in the roof.

Crate interior: The only items allowed inside an animal crate during a flight are an absorbent liner or potty pad, a soft pad or blanket, and clip-in water and food bowls that attach to the crate door

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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