This video highlights the challenges of navigating airport travel with a Service/Guide Dog or Emotional Support Animal wearing a traditional collar and leash containing metal. Explore our complete range of metal-free leashes, collars, and harnesses designed to simplify the TSA inspection process and ensure a smoother, stress-free experience at the airport.

WHAT is an Airline Approved Pet Carrier or Kennel? 

At DryFur, we aim to guide pet owners in their search for genuinely "Airline-Approved" pet carriers and kennels. Unlike others, we do not sell or profit from any specific brands of kennels or carriers, so you can trust that our insights are entirely unbiased.

Over time, I’ve received countless inquiries from dog and cat owners about the right DryFur Pads for their newly purchased “Airline-Approved” kennels. When I ask for the brand and size of these kennels, I’m often surprised by their answers. Many owners unknowingly purchase products that are neither airline-approved nor compliant with airline regulations for cargo or checked baggage.

This confusion seems to stem from outdated product listings by major pet supply companies. While these kennels may have once met airline standards, evolving safety requirements—sparked by government-mandated incident reporting—have led airlines to tighten their policies to improve pet travel safety. Unfortunately, many retailers have failed to update their product descriptions, leaving pet owners misinformed.

To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of kennels and carriers that are approved and accepted by most airlines. Look at the options marked in green below for the safest and most reliable kennels / carriers for your pets next move or travel adventure.

The pet carriers & kennels listed below in Green are approved and accepted by most airlines.

EXAMPLES OF AIRLINE APPROVED CARRIER KENNELS

APPROVED - In Cargo Crates
	Vari Kennel are always APPROVED THE Safest and always guaranteed to be "AIRLINE APPROVED" Pet Carrier / Kennel for airline travel in the cargo area of the plane or as Checked Baggage is Sky Kennel or Vari Kennel  (size 100 and 700 may still need slight modifications if they lack ventilation on back wall or Cable Tie holes around the door)  Some changes have taken place 2024 some airlines are now requiring all ventilion holes to be no more than 1x1 inch so double check with airline.
	Sky Kennel are always APPROVED THE Safest and always guaranteed to be "AIRLINE APPROVED" Pet Carrier / Kennel for airline travel in the cargo area of the plane or as Checked Baggage is Sky Kennel or Vari Kennel  (size 100 and 700 may still need slight modifications if they lack ventilation on back wall or Cable Tie holes around the door) Some changes have taken place 2024 some airlines are now requiring all ventilion holes to be no more than 1x1 inch so double check with airline.
APPROVED - In Cabin Carriers
	Sherpa Bag - APPROVED Safe and always guaranteed to be "AIRLINE APPROVED" Pet Carrier for airline travel in the passenger area of the plane as carry-on. A very well known popular retail store brand. Easy to find locally or some airlines carry the Sherpa Bag with their branding.
	SleepyPod Air - APPROVED Safe and always guaranteed to be "AIRLINE APPROVED" Pet Carrier for airline travel in the passenger area of the plane as carry-on. The SleepyPod Air is vigerously safety tested and is available online at the Sleepypod store and  many small and large online retailers.
	Sturdi Bag - APPROVED Safe and always guaranteed to be "AIRLINE APPROVED" Pet Carrier for airline travel in the passenger area of the plane as carry-on. The prefered carrier of many cat show professional breeders. Available at many online retailers and can be found for sale at most local cat and dog shows.
Common Misconceptions About Airline-Approved Kennels The kennels and carriers marked in Red below are among the most commonly misrepresented as "Airline Approved." If you’ve experienced issues with these products—such as being turned away at the check-in counter—please feel free to email me your story. I’d be glad to include it in this list to help other pet owners avoid similar situations. I hope this guide ensures your pet is never left behind. Misleadingly Advertised Kennels Many pet supply companies and online retailers, including Amazon, Chewy, Petco, PetSmart, and even manufacturers like Petmate-Doskocil, continue to promote certain carriers as "Airline Approved" or as meeting airline travel requirements. Unfortunately, these claims are often inaccurate. Always verify with your airline before purchasing a new travel kennel, and consult their specific acceptance policies. Cargo Kennel Features to Avoid While some kennels may meet general airline requirements for cargo travel, they will not be accepted if they have any of the following features: (Please ensure to consult with your airline for the latest regulations.)
BANNED - Pet Carrier Features
	Double Doors Top Loading - NOT APPROVED  Meaning one wire door in the front of the carrier and one wire or plastic door on the top of the carrier. American Airlines and Delta Airlines site clearly states no top opening kennels allowed; other airline's rules read kennel or carrier must have a solid roof.
	Dial Latch Attachments - NOT APPROVED Meaning no nuts and bolts to keep the top and bottom of the carrier together, instead they have round plastic dials that often fail. Some airlines do still accept this type of carrier, but many do not. For example, United Airlines clearly lists with a photo on their pet travel kennel requirements page this type of kennels will no longer be accepted.
	Snap Latch Attachments - NOT APPROVED Meaning no nuts and bolts to keep the top and bottom of the carrier together, instead they have plastic latches that snap together and often fail to stay snapped closed. This pet carrier kennel is also listed on United Airlines pet page as will no longer be accepted. *Please See our page on Kennel Modification for tips on how to secure this type of kennel for airline travel by easily drilling and adding holes for nuts and bolts on the 4 corners.
	Plastic Pegs - NOT APPROVED Meaning no nuts and bolts just small plastic pegs that are inserted into the holes and then turned to the right or left to keep the peg in place. Some airlines still accept these types of pet carrier kennels, many do not their rules will read "all plastic attachments are not acceptable" *Although these types of kennels can be refused, they are easily modified by removing the plastic pegs and adding Metal bolts & wing nuts. As long as the door is metal grate and not plastic.
	Plastic Doors - NOT APPROVED Meaning doors completely made with plastic. Doors must be a metal grate. Plastic lock housing & grips are acceptable. Most Airlines List plastic doors and wire top opening kennels as not acceptable.
	Collapsible / Foldable - NOT APPROVED Meaning crate is able to fold down after use. This PLASTIC type of carrier was banned from airlines many years ago and is still advertised as "Airline Approved". Alaska Airlines first rules read the Kennel must be NON-COLLAPSIBLE.
	Plastic Wing Barrel Door Latches - NOT APPROVED Meaning door comes out completely when all 4 latches are turned to the open position. Plastic latches can accidentally get turned in open position releasing the door and the pet. Door is also unable to accept Releasable cable ties. Also has plastic pegs which are also not Airline approved.
	Wire Metal Crate - NOT APPROVED Meaning made entirely of metal grate. Lower walls and floor of kennel must be solid and leak proof.

Check out the Latest Soft Pet Carrier Safety Features

Getting ready to shop for a new Airline Pet Carrier Bag for your in cabin airline traveling pet Dog or Cat? Then you might want to read our latest post detailing what new safety features are available and how exactly they work to keep your airline traveling pets safer. In this post we will examine some of the NEWEST State of the Art Pet Airline Carriers Features in Detail.

• Locking Zipper Closures: Small clasps on airline pet carrier bags that keep zipper pulls together thus keeping the zipper door closed while pet is inside. These clasp create a pet proof lock NOT a people proof lock. This keeps pets locked in and still allows easy access to the pet without requiring any special tools or keys. Some carriers come with these clips and some even have thread holes built in the zipper pulls to accommodate these clips.

If the carrier zipper does not have the thread holes you can still use a clasps to secure the zipper by threading it though the two holes in the zipper pulls. Note: the zipper pulls normally have two holes if possible use the holes closest to the zipper itself for a tighter seal.

• Tether leads - Security Leash: Small leash with hook inside the pet carrier bags for attaching to pets collar to keep pet secure inside the pet carrier when leaving the carrier open. This feature should never be used when traveling or relocating as pets can spook and drag the carrier with them but might come in handy for small calm dogs who are seasoned travelers and used to traveling in their carrier.

• Luggage Strap-Slot: Replaces the need for purchasing an airline pet carrier bag with wheels. These slots are for threading over telescoping handles on upright wheeled trolley luggage. This feature helps pet owners get from gate to gate easily with pet in tow. Some pet carriers have these actual features built into the carrier others may have a simple strap on the outside of the carrier while others recommend you shorten and then use the existing shoulder strap which will work but may not be nearly as secure if the pet shifts about.

• Seat belt secure loops: This feature is used to secure the airline pet carrier in the seat of an auto. How many of us have had to make a sudden stop and the first thing you do is put your arm up in front of the pet's carrier in the opposite seat. This feature can help you pay attention to the road and feel secure the carrier will stay put. To use you simply thread the seat belt strap through the loops and snap the seat belt closed. It is designed to keep the carrier stable in the event of a sudden stop or accident. For pets who travel long distances in cars this is a great safety feature. It does not do much for airline traveling pets as FAA regulations require pets traveling in cabin must stay under the seat in front of you at all times.

• Top - Mesh screen Window: This feature is a nice touch for pets traveling on airlines. It gives pets extra ventilation and owners a view of their pet through the top of the carrier while the pet is stowed under the seat in front of them. Some airline pet carrier bags have solid mesh tops while others have the option of mesh or a flap of material that can be zipped over the mesh to provide privacy or warmth.

• Dual Doors on Each End: Provide the option to enter and exit on either end of carrier so pet does not have to turn around in order to walk out of the carrier. Dual doors pet carriers make it very easy for pets to get in and out of the pet carrier. This feature is especially important for dogs. Dogs are not normally as limber as cats. Cats can turn very easily to exit the same end they entered. Dogs on the other hand find this move difficult especially as they get older. Dachshunds and other short-legged, long-bodied breeds will find this a feature very beneficial.

• Wheels: Pet Carriers with wheels are convenient for going to and from the airport and to and from gates, but they do have some disadvantages. Many pet carriers with wheels have measurements that are about 2" higher than pet carriers without wheels. Most airlines already have such strict requirement on in cabin pet carrier size that 2" can sometimes be the difference of being accepted and being refused. And then there is the issue with trying to secure the carrier from rolling once under the seat in the airplane. But if your are certain the airline can still accommodate your wheeled pet carrier the benefit might outweigh any possible issues.

• Privacy Flaps: Flaps of solid cloth that unroll and velcro or zip over mesh windows. These are perfect for balancing ventilation, sun light, shade, view for you and the pet, warmth and privacy. Privacy is especially important to cats. Cats find comfort in being hidden when scared or stressed. Once a cat feels they can't be seen like when the carrier windows are covered and shaded, they will be able to relax and feel safe.

• Flexible Height: This feature is pretty standard in soft pet carriers, although some are more flexible than others and some, but not all will pop back to normal after flexing. This feature is important and handy it makes it possible to fit your pet carrier under the airplane seat of many different planes and during plane changes to airlines that seat clearance may differ slightly.

Airline Safety Features Plastic Pet Cat Carrier Dog Kennels & Crates

Getting ready to shop for a new Dog Airline Kennel, Carrier or Crate? You might find this post handy, it describes the new safety features that are available and how exactly they work to keep your airline traveling pets safer. In this post we will examine some of the NEWEST Dog Airline Kennels and Crates Safety Features in Detail.

	Pre-Drilled Cable Tie Holes: These 4 small holes are used to secure the kennel door during your pets flight. This is the most effective yet simplest feature ever added to dog kennels. This recent feature has literally saved countless pet's lives. How they work is simple you just thread a hand releasable cable tie through each hole and through the top metal grate of the door and then fasten the cable ties taunt on the outside of the kennel. If your kennel is lacking these 4 holes you can easily modify by drilling these holes yourself.
	Covered Door Posts: This feature does not only add a cleaner nicer look it actually has several important purposes. First the solid plastic housing keeps the door posts more stable and secure. They also block anything heavy from falling on top of one of the posts (which are spring loaded) causing the post to be push down engaging the door locking mechanism causing the door to possibly open. I find that Uncovered Door Posts were not much of a safety risk unless the kennel is older, worn out or has lost its original shape. Add to that a heavy pet and I have witnessed the uncovered post being very unstable which caused the door to unexpectedly fall off the kennel.
	Enhanced Ventilation: More and more kennels are featuring better ventilation. Some kennels now offer ventilation all 4 sides and other have went one step further and not only have ventilation on all 4 sides but also have added extra ventilation on the lower portion of the kennel as well. When traveling internationally ventilation on all 4 sides is required. Many airline kennels lack ventilation on the rear wall which is acceptable for traveling pets but only on short domestic flights. It is my opinion that you should always provide your dog ventilation on all 4 sides of the kennel regardless of the length of the flight your pet will endure. If you dog's kennel is lacking ventilation on the back wall you can easily modify it by drilling additional ventilation holes with an electric drill fitted with a 1" wood bore bit. If your kennel lacks ventilation in the lower portion and overheating is a concern might even be good idea to add a few extra holes there as well. This is the level your pets head (nose) will be located when in a lying down position, but just a few do not over do it or you could compromise the integrity of the kennel.
	Flush Door Latch: A very popular feature which dates way back to the Original Sky Kennel days. The Flush Door Latch earned a reputation of being somewhat difficult to operate so many kennel manufactures switched from the Flush Door Latch Design to the Protruding Door Latch Style because pet owners found it much easier to use, which is convenient for owners with small hands or limitations like arthritis. But since it was so easy to operate it also had a slight risk of opening accidentally if something was to fall on or attach to the protruding latches. With kennel manufacturers focusing more and more on the safety of the pets rather than just the convenience and ease of use the more secure Flush Door Latch has made a strong welcomed come back.
	Improved Fasteners / Attachments: New Airline Kennels feature more fasteners (8 to 18 depending on the size of kennel) and longer bolts insuring the top and bottom of the kennel stay securely fastened together. Older style kennels had only a few attachments usually (3) on each side for a total of only (6) this was standard no matter what size kennel. Under normal circumstances this would not be an issue, but as these kennels aged loosing one or more attachment became common. With only (6) attachments the risk of losing just one attachment could be detrimental to the integrity of the kennels overall structure. This risk intensified if it happened to be one of the (2) attachments next to the door that are not only responsible for keeping the kennel together but also have a secondary function of holding the door in place. If you happen to have an old style Kennel with only 6 attachments you can easily modify by drilling more holes and adding more kennel hardware, a very easy fix and acceptable by all airlines.
	Tie Down Strap Holes: These 4 Large holes found on the corner of the kennel are an easy way to secure the kennel to the floor of airplanes, trailers, carts or any moving vehicle. The purpose of doing so is to keep the kennels from moving, shifting or accidentally turning over. They function by attaching a bungee cord or rope to the corners of the kennel then tying or attaching the other end to the floor or wall of the moving vehicle. These are very handy for pets who are transported by airline personnel on cargo carts to and from the tarmac. Tie Down Rings (seen below) are readily available on both the cargo carts and in the cargo area of the plane for the purpose of securing kennels and/or valuable cargo in this manner.
	Built in Lift Points (Handholds - Handles): Some airline kennels now feature hand grips on both the left and right sides that function as handles to assist with a two person lift. They are only found on larger sized kennels. This is a great feature it really does assist airline cargo staff with lifting and loading extra large heavy pets especially when the kennel lacks a standard handle on top.
	Interlocking Stacking Lugs: This feature is really not relevant to airline travel or used much for that matter. My thoughts are using them can be kind of dangerous. I would not recommend you ever stack kennels together while traveling or at home the risk of the top kennel falling and harming your pet out weighs any benefits it may offer.

1. Shipping your pet in an old worn out or broken-down pet carrier with missing or faulty attachments.
2. Purchasing a brand-new pet carrier with unreliable plastic attachments or snap latches, top loading, plastic doors or other non-airline approved features.
3. Not acclimating the pet to the carrier/kennel. You should spend a good month or more training the pet and getting him/her used to being crated.
4. Medicating your pet with Sedatives or Tranquilizers.
5. Lining the carrier with the wrong material assuming it is absorbent and comfortable without testing.  Also providing filled water bowls that are not spill resistant.
6. Relying on the airline to furnish required pet shipping supplies. ie. Special releasable cable ties for the door, Live Animal Stickers / Labels, food & water dishes, absorbent bedding. Pet owners should never assume Airline will supply these and other required items. They often run out of supplies, forget to check for them or do not normally stock which means your pet will be refused or possibly fly at risk. Visit our Store for all these airlines required items.
7. Not being prepared for unforeseen emergencies such as pet getting loose or lost. It is always a good idea to add an alternate contact number on pets' collar for traveling owners and carry a recent picture of your pet with you just in case.
8. Opening the carrier/kennel in unfamiliar places. Once you have left home DO NOT open the pet carrier / kennel until you reach your final destination if possible. Also providing water & food bowls that are not attached securely to the kennel door, will sometimes force airline personal to open the kennel door in order to dispense water to dehydrated pets. Please test to be certain your dishes will stay on securely or use cable ties to reinforce the attachments provided.
9. Flying elderly, fragile or EXTREME snub nose pets in cargo area of the plane. These pets should always travel by ground or as carry-on in the passenger area of the plane only.
10. Supplying a carrier/kennel that is too small for your pet. Carrier must have ample room for the pet to stand and turn around in with ease. Pets are often refused at the airport the day of the flight because pet owner arrived with pets in an inappropriately sized pet carrier kennel.

With emotion, we at DryFur.com have been, sometimes with tears in our eyes, viewing the Pet Airline Incident reports since they were first released in May of 2005.

With purpose, we had to not avert our eyes to the realities, and we have been studying them to help bring information and resolutions to our readers so that the traveling pets can be safer, avoiding injury and sometimes, death.

Incidents, according to the airlines is death, injury or loss.

What was concluded was that the main categories of incident were from the following two issues.

1. Faulty unsecured kennels

2. Breathing and overheating issues for dogs with snub noses

Although the airlines do try to limit these incidents by requiring kennels to be secured with metal hardware and cable tying the doors closed, with the additional consideration being that snub-nosed pets can travel [usually&91; only when the forecast calls for temperatures to stay below 70-75 degrees.

Helpful, but not enough; as still over 50% of all reported pet deaths on airplanes are dogs and puppies who have snub noses, and according to the Department of Transportation, these animals are more at risk when flying in cargo than any other pets.

Snub - Short nosed pets include but are not limited to:

Boxers

Bulldogs

Pekinese

Pugs

Japanese Chins

Also of note are cats such as Persians and Burmese, as well as other exotic short-hair breeds.

VISIT American College of Vet Surgeons for great detail images and description of Brachycephalic Syndrome - Dog Noses and Airways

Dogs more commonly use panting to cool off, yet snub nosed dogs still suffer more breathing and overheating issues than snub nosed cats, but both are at risk.

Here is what you can do to help pet airline travel to be safer for these special pets. Please pass this information along to anyone you know with a short-nosed pet, even if they are not traveling anytime in the near future, so that they at least are aware of these concerns and resolutions.

A, B, C’s of Flying with a Snub-Nosed Pet

A. What to do

1. Purchase an airline kennel that is at least 1-2 sizes larger than required for your size pet to help provide plenty of air space around the pet.
2. Make sure your kennel has ventilation on all four sides for Domestic and International flights, even though rules specify only required for international flights for Snub nosed pets more is always better. Modify by drilling additional ventilation holes in the back wall of kennel if they are lacking. Might even be good idea to add a few extra holes in bottom walls. This is the level your pets head (nose) will be at when in a lying down position, but just a few do not overdo it or you could compromise the integrity of the kennel. See diagram below.

B. When to Fly & Preventative

1. Only fly in cool temperatures, during the cooler weather seasons or late night-early morning. Do not assume your flights will all leave on time, if the temperature is expected to get hot on either end or at your connections during the day of your flight, RESCHEDULE. So, in the event there is a delay for several hours or your pet misses a connecting flight, your pet does not end up flying in the heat of the day!
2. Refrain from feeding snub nosed pets for 6-8 hours before flying or even longer. Autopsies results listed in the Airline Incident Reports have indicated that in some of these deaths, vomiting may have been a contributing factor. It is similar to preparing your pet for surgery where a full stomach can cause vomiting which can lead to a risk of breathing obstruction. Don’t feed many hours before shipping you can still mark the Shipper's Declaration stating you offered food in the time required (you are not required to feed only required to "offer" food). Digesting food will raise body temperature and possibly result in airsickness vomiting and snub-nosed pets cannot breath easily from their tiny sinuses if they are vomiting and panting simultaneously.

C. Day of Flight

1. Provide plenty of cool fresh water. Use a Stainless Steel Water Bucket (hook-on type) or you can cable tie to the door will work. You should fill the bucket with water and freeze solid then attach to the kennel door this will help cool the air in an around your pet and also provide cool water when melted.
2. Dampen or mist their bed, mat or cushion or look into the many dog cooling mats and pads available these will help keep your pet cool with evaporation.
3. Do not tranquilize any pet before flying especially Snub Nosed.

After studying these Incident Reports and looking for possible solutions, we still believe it is a risk for Snub Nosed pets to travel in the cargo area of the Plane. So please research and look into other traveling options and only when you have no other option should you fly your snub-nosed dogs in cargo.

For more information: Air Travel Consumer Reports

One of the most important thing you can do for your pets when preparing for long car trips or travel on an airplane is to get them used to spending time in their crate. You can do this at any age even old dogs can learn new tricks. Acclimating your pet to his or her crate is much like crate training a puppy with a few twists.

Dogs

• Introduction: The first step for acclimating your dog to his / her kennel crate is to let your dog explore the crate by placing nice things inside. Favorite blanket or bed, yummiest treats and funnest toys. Be sure and tie the door in open position or remove the door all together for the first few days. If your dog is still unsure of going in or is feeling stressed or suspicious take the top of the kennel off and just use the bottom portion for a few days. Remember it has to be his or her idea do not force them in and do not lock them in once they go in willingly or with a little coaxing. Also be sure and place the kennel crate in an area your pet enjoys most like in the living room, den or bedroom, not in a room your pet avoids like the laundry room or basement where furnace or washer and dryer noises may spook an already guarded pet.
• Increase Time: The next step, once your pet is going in and out of kennel willingly and seems to rest inside, is to slowly close the door and allow your dog to take short naps in the crate. Start with a few minutes at a time then slowly increase the time in 15 minute increments.
• Reward Training: Now that your dog is used to being crated and seems to enjoy time in the crate it is time to "test the waters". Load your pet in the car for a few short rides in the kennel crate. Have someone else drive so you are available to assure your pet. Be sure to remove all the toys and treats for this part, bedding or blankets are fine. Each time you return home reward your pet with praise and yummy treats. Make a big deal out of it make him feel he accomplished something very important and special.
• Flight Simulator: Last comes the big test... Take your dog for another car ride in his / her crate make sure the crate is securely closed , try rolling the windows down on the highway or make a trip to an unfamiliar environment, like to the landing and take off viewing area surrounding an airport or even better through an old fashion car wash. Again, be sure to have someone else drive so you are there to re-assure and monitor your pet. This will be a true test to see how your dog responds to loud noises, stress and possible startling while being crated. The inside of the car wash is a perfect test it is loud with lots of moving air noises, bumping, thrashing, dark, and a little stuffy. This is a great way to do a mini test run for what your pet will experience during take offs and landings. The only difference is your will be with your pet and be able to comfort and reassure him. Make sure and bring treats with you so you can reward your dog as soon as this is over and make a big deal out of it, similar to the first time your dog sat or fetched. Remember this is just like teaching your pet a new trick.

Cats

• Introduction: Cats are much easier to to get to go into a crate. For them I suggest leaving the crate with the door open or removed and place it in a room your cat enjoys and ignore it. Be sure to place a nice bed or blanket in it or even some fresh catnip. Cats are normally curious and they love to climb into things to play, explore or hide when startled. Leave it there for a good week or two. If you do not see your cat in the crate or are just not sure if he is indeed going into it, leave a few of his favorite snacks in it and check later to see if they are gone. If your cat is still not spending time in it you can camouflage the crate by draping a small blanket over it just leaving the doorway exposed.Once your cat is spending time in the crate, you can follow the directions above for Reward Training and Flight Simulator although cats are not as easy to bribe with treats as dogs. One important note is to always line your cat crate with plenty of absorbent material I recommend DryFur pads, especially during any long car rides or flight simulating. Your cat will be forever afraid of her crate if she has an accident in the crate and is forced to ride all the way home to get dry and clean.

LEARN HOW TO: Prepare Your Pet's Soft Airline Travel Carrier Bag

STEP 1. How to Label the Carrier with LIVE ANIMAL signs

STEP 2. How to Secure your Pet for easy TSA checks

STEP 3. Add Comforts to your Pet's Travel Carrier

STEP 4. Day Of Your Pet's Flight

Over Sized Pets

One option for extra-large dogs, like Great Danes or Mastiffs is to purchase a custom-built wood airline dog crate or have a Giant size Sky or Vari kennel modified with spacers to accommodate oversized pets. Another option is to build a custom sized dog crate yourself or convert a standard wood shipping crate into a dog airline crate.

Ventilation

Some Kennels lacked ventilation in back wall, easily modified by drilling holes with a power drill using a wood bore bit and tape measure. This is especially important for international flights where ventilation on all four sides of the pet kennel is mandatory.

Plastic Pegs

Replace all Plastic Pegs with SOLID METAL NUTs & BOLTs to create a completely IATA USDA FAA Airline Compliant carrier / kennel.

Plastic Snap Latches

Another tip sent in by a truly "handy" DryFur Client. "I found the bolts to be perfect length as I Countersunk the nut by drilling larger hole on top portion and smaller hole on bottom portion of carrier.

IMPORTANT: I started by drilling small hole through the two halves while carrier was assembled. Then I disassembled the carrier by separating the carriers top and bottom and re-drilled larger hole in JUST the top portion. Worked perfect and very SECURE!" Thanks and please feel free to use photos and tip on site. Dan

Cable Tie holes for Securing Kennel Door

If your Kennel is older or does not have these holes for cable ties you can easily modify by drilling your own holes (slightly behind all four sides of the door) or some kennels have enough room to slip the cable ties through the existing hinge holes. Delta Airline will accept snap latches if they have been modified as in the above example.

For Great Article on how to modify a pet carrier for small animals, Rodents or Sugar Glidders Visit International Pet Glider site

Might also be helpful for traveling pet owners worried about paws sticking out of carrier doors.

Too Few Holes for Attachments

If your Kennel is older it may only have 6 attachment holes for keeping the kennels top and bottom together. If this is the case we recommend you drill additional hardware holes especially towards the right and left front corners of the kennel. This way if an attachment fails or comes loose next to the door there is a backup. The two attachments next to the right and left side of the door are not only responsible for keeping the kennels top and bottom together but also have a secondary function of keep the door in place. One missing attachment next to the door can be detrimental to the integrity of the kennels structure.

LEARN HOW TO: Prepare Your Pet's Airline Travel Carrier Kennel Like A Professional PET SHIPPER

STEP 1. How to Label the Carrier / Kennel with LIVE ANIMAL labels

STEP 2. How to Secure the Carrier / Kennel for a safe Flight

STEP 3. Add Comforts to your Pet's Travel Carrier / Kennel

STEP 4. Day Of Your Pet's Flight

Scan from your Iphone Camera to directly link to video on to:

NEW Stricter airline rules for transporting or traveling with dog breeds classified as fighting or aggressive has many pet parents scrambling for information and assistance in understanding what this might mean for them and their traveling furry friends.

To start this Post I'll First discuss the specific rule and what it actually means: IATA LAR CR-82, which consist of a few unfamiliar abbreviations that seem confusing but are actually quite simple.

IATA: stands for International Air Transport Association, The trade association for the world’s airlines

LAR: stands for Live Animal Regulations, The Airline Manual written by IATA that sets forth the rules and requirements in regard to transporting 1000’s of animal species along with the container specifications required for their transport

CR: stands for Container Requirement, The Section of rules and/or requirements within the LAR Manual set forth to entail what type of container is required for transporting specific animal species.

#82: stands for Rule number 82, The rules no. pertaining to the exact crate requirements and specifications for transporting potential dangerous animals.

IATA LAR CR-82 READS: the container or crate must be constructed of wood, metal, synthetic materials, weld mesh or wire grate/mesh. Additional design principles regarding frame, sides, floor, roof and doors also apply. No portion of the crate may be plastic. The crate door must be made of heavy wire grate or mesh, metal or reinforced wood and should have a secure means of fastening that cannot be opened accidentally.



IATA LAR CR82 rule itself is not NEW at all. It has been in place for many years it specifies that any animal deemed dangerous ie. wild zoo animals must be transported in a special reinforced crates made entirely of Wood and/or Metal. For safety reasons Plastic Crates or crates built with plastic parts are NOT accepted for the purpose of transporting animals considered dangerous. In early 2012 the rule CR82 was revised to now include specific dog breeds considered aggressive or classified as fighting dogs like the American Bully and the Pit Bull. These specific dog breeds would now be required to be transported in the same type of CR 82 Compliant Crate used to transport wild animals such as Lions, Tigers and Bears. At first this rule seem harsh and a bit unfair but for many pet owners it was a blessing. The revision to CR82 now allowed these same dogs that were banned from flying for many years a second chance and a safer way to now allow them to be able to travel and be transported on airlines once again.

The dog Breeds now required to fly in a reinforced IATA 82 approved crate include:

American Bully

Pit Bull Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers
Ca de Bou
Cane Corso
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Perro de Presa Canario
Presa Canario
Tosa (or Tosa Ken)

This also includes mixed breeds of these dogs. Determination of the breed is confirmed by the Pets Health Certificate issued by your vet. There are some exceptions to the rule. For instance, United Airlines, their rules currently reads that if your dog or puppy is classified Aggressive but is under the age of six months and under 20-lbs they are not required to travel in the CR82 compliant crate. Also note even if your dog is not listed as A but your dog shows signs of aggression or viciousness during the check in process they have the right to refuse your dog or require you to re-book when you have acquired a custom CR82 Crate for your dog to travel in.

Pets On Airplanes - Pet Travel Container Preparation

This video will demonstrate how to prepare your pet's kennel for travel in the cargo area of an airplane. Instructions on how to assemble your crate with DryFur Airline Kit.

Pets On Airplanes - Pet Travel Container Easy Modifications

This video will demonstrate how to modify your pet's none airline approved kennel to be considered acceptable for travel in the cargo area of an airplane.

Pets On Airplanes - Pet In Cabin Carrier Preparation

This video will demonstrate how to prepare your pet's soft airline carrier for travel as carry-on in cabin area of an airplane. Instructions on how to assemble your carrier with DryFur In Cabin Airline Kit.

Pets On Airplanes - Measuring Your Dog for the Perfect fitting Airline crate or carrier

This video will demonstrate how to easily and accurately measure your pet for the proper pet carrier, crate or kennel size.

Handy Guide - How to measure your dog for best Crate, Carrier Kennel

Guidance for Calculating Properly Sized Pet Airline Shipping Containers

The size of the container (crate, kennel, carrier) must be such that it will allow the pet to stand in a natural position, turn around easily and to lie down in a natural manner at all times.

The images above gives measuring directions and a guideline for calculating the correct size airline shipping container for your pet/s. They relate to a pet standing in a natural position.

Pet Measurement:

A = length of the pet from tip of nose to root of tail.

B = height from ground to top of leg or elbow joint

C = width across right & left shoulders

D = height of the pet in natural standing position from ground to the top of the head or the tip of the ear in erect ear breeds. (for a cat you might find it easier to measure height while cat is sitting with head erect)

Minimum Container Dimensions are:

Length = A+1/2 of B

Width = C x 2 (1 pet) or C x 3 (2 pets)

Height = D

Inside kennel dimension (capacity) Does NOT include the doorway or side rims. Listed and advertised dimensions includes entire outside measurements.

Outside measurement (VS) Inside Kennel

Guide for Purchasing Right size Airline Kennel

Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #100 (SMALL)
	#100 SMALL 21"L x 16"W x 15"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 17"L x 14"W x 14"H (Actual Crate Weight: 7 Lb) Note: 100 Kennel has a handle, Square Corners and does NOT have pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. PetMate has not yet re-designed the series 100 with newest features. Recommended for: Cats, Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Miniature Pinschers, Pomeranian, Papillon ATTENTION: 1/1/12 British Airways has just announced they will no longer accept a size 100 for any pets. They are now requiring all pets to travel in a 200 - 26" x 18" x 19" or larger even for a small pet.
Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #200 (MEDIUM)
	#200 MEDIUM 28"L x 20.5"W x 21.5"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 24"L x 18.5"W x 20.5"H (Actual Crate Weight: 15 Lb) Note: 200 Kennel has a handle, Newest version has Round Corners and pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. Recommended for: Large Cats, Bassett Hounds, Beagles, Shelties, Mini Poodles, Lhasa Apsos, Cocker Spaniels
Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #300 (INTERMEDIATE)
	#300 INTERMEDIATE 32"L x 22.5"W x 24"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 28"L x 20.5"W x 23"H (Actual Crate Weight: 18 Lb) Note: 300 Kennel does NOT have a Handle, Newest version has Round Corners and pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. Recommended for: Springers, Border Collies, Bull Dogs, Boston Terrier, Fox Terrier, Basenji, Keeshond, Standard Poodles
Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #400 (LARGE)
	#400 LARGE 36"L x 25"W x 27"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 32"L x 23"W x 26"H (Actual Crate Weight: 23 Lb) Note: 400 Kennel does NOT have a Handle, Newest version has Round Corners and pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. Recommended for: Boxers, Dalmatians, Collies, Airdales, Setters, Australian Shepherds, Dobermans, Chow Chow, Britanny, Chinese Sharpei, English Springer Spaniels
Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #500 (XLARGE)
	#500 XLARGE 40"L x 27"W x 30"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 36"L x 25"W x 29"H (Actual Crate Weight: 27 Lb) Note: 500 Kennel DOES NOT have a Handle, Newest version has Round Corners and pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. Recommended for: Afghans, Labrador Retrievers, Pointers, Shepherds, Rottweilers, Samoyed, Siberian Huskie
Vari Kennel or Sky Kennel #700 (GIANT)
	#700 GIANT 48"L x 32"W x 35"H OUTSIDE Dimensions (Advertised size) INSIDE Dimensions (usable capacity) 44"L x 30"W x 34"H (Actual Crate Weight: 44 Lb) Note: 700 Kennel does NOT have a handle, has Square Corners and does NOT have pre-drilled holes around door for cable ties. PetMate has not yet re-designed the series 700 with newest features. Recommended for: Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Mastiffs, Greyhounds

For even larger dog breeds that will not fit into standard kennels we offer Kennel Height Extension Kit to increase the height.

When pets first began to travel on airplanes, a DIY handmade wooden shipping crate was the only option available to pet owners.  Until the late 60's when Mr. Doskocil (owner of Petmate) designed and started mass producing his own Wood kennel he called - The SKY KENNEL. These wood kennels were produced in his garage and transported to breeders in his pick-up truck. Word spread and soon he began selling the Sky Kennel directly to the airlines for transporting pets.

Later in the 70's the demand continued to grow, and he was unable to keep up, so he then designed and introduced the mass produced Original (Fiberglass) Sky Kennel. One of the best kennels in history. Solid unbreakable shell with metal Nuts Bolts and a steel grated door.

Today the Sky Kennel is airlines’ first choice for pets traveling in the cargo/luggage compartment. Although the kennel is now made mostly of Plastic, it is the best safest kennel available for airline traveling pets. TO DATE Sky Kennel is the only brand of hard-shell carriers sold by airlines for use on their flights.

But why choose Sky Kennel over other products like Vari Kennels?

The current plastic Sky Kennel looks just like the Vari Kennel, both are made by Doskocil (Petmate), and both are made from the exact same plastic injection molds.

So, what is the difference between them?

The answer is: There’s very little difference these days. But many years ago, the differences were very apparent. The Original Sky Kennel was made for airline use only and sold exclusively by major airlines. To purchase one, you had to either go to the airline cargo office or pre-order one for pick-up at an airline ticket counter. You couldn’t buy one at a pet store, from a catalog, or for that matter online since this was long before the Internet.

This Original Sky Kennel 1970-1990

The Original Sky Kennel had unique features like:

• A heavy-duty fiberglass shell (not plastic), which was strong enough to resist bending, warping, or losing its shape; it was basically indestructible.

• Self-Locking Solid metal nuts and bolts (no plastic attachments or wing nuts);

• Labels featuring the name of the airline that sold that particular kennel (i.e., Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines); and

• A single slot in the door so that airline personnel could pull out the food or water bowl for refilling and place it back in the kennel without opening the door.

As you can tell from the features listed above, the key goal of the Original Sky Kennel was to keep a pet securely contained while traveling—not necessarily for the safety of the pet, but more likely for the safety of other passengers and the plane itself. One of the biggest concerns when pets first started to travel in cargo was that they could get loose during the flight and wreak havoc by chewing wires or delicate mechanical instruments that are housed in the plane’s luggage compartment. Once pets became commonplace on airplanes, rules governing pet containers began to relax—and pet escapes became common occurrences.

Federal Laws passed in May 2005 by DOT (Department of Transportation) required US airlines to report pet-related incidents (e.g., loss, injury, death) and has resulted in a treasure trove of valuable information. For instance, it helped airlines realize that one of its biggest pet-related mistakes was allowing pets to travel in faulty, unsecured kennels. After five years of collecting and reviewing the information most major airlines have adopted new in-house rules.

1. Require kennels to be secured with metal hardware (which the Original Sky Kennel had). NOW AVAILABLE on our site

2. Require pet owners to reinforce their pet’s kennel door frames with releasable cable ties. That way, plastic kennels (unlike fiberglass) prone to losing their shape (especially around the door frame) cannot accidentally open during a flight.

Both these rules were adopted between 2009 and 2010 after countless pets escaped in planes’ cargo holds or while being transferred between cargo offices and the plane. Since these new rules took effect, pet escapes have once again become a very rare occurrence.

To find these airline-required items like Hand Releasable Cable Ties andSolid Metal Kennel Securing Hardware visit DryFur.com and learn from the history of the Sky Kennel keep your pet securely contained while traveling so your pet will arrive safe and happy!

More Information on Sky Kennel and Vari Kennel

The Series (size) 200 thru 500 Sky Kennel and Vari Kennel have recently been re-designed and features ventilation holes on all 4 sides which is required for pets traveling Internationally. They also have a thicker rim that requires longer bolt attachments to keep the top and bottom together. Another Great feature is the pre-drilled cable tie holes around the door for securing the door and keeping it closed during flight. A quick way to tell the difference between the old-style Kennels and new re-designed style Kennels is the rounded corners and door opening. 

The Series (size) 100 and 700 Sky Kennel and Vari Kennel have not been re-designed. They both still have the square corners and door openings. Only the SKY Kennel comes with ventilation on all 4 sides, but the holes on the back wall are clearly drilled manually after the molding process which is airline acceptable.

Also note neither the 100 or 700 Sky Kennels - Vari Kennels have pre-drilled cable tie holes around the door and they both have thinner rims that require shorter bolt attachments to keep the top and bottom together.

Grreat Choice (now called TopPaw) Kennels by Petmate at your local Petsmart

Rightfully named the Grreat Choice is a great choice* for pets traveling on airlines.

• They are made by Petmate same maker of the Sky and Vari Kennel.

• All sizes 200-500 have pre-drilled cable tie holes around the doors.

• All sizes have ventilation on all four sides.

• They are usually a little less expensive than Sky or Vari Kennels

*The only downfall I discovered, is the size XS and Small have tiny doors which makes it impossible to fit (2) individual food water dishes on side by side. But you can still fit a size petite or small double dish or you can stagger (2) individual dishes on the door of the size Small but it is a very tight squeeze.

Undercover agents gives us a real look into what happens in the cargo areas of an Airplane while pets are on board traveling. I love this video and wanted to share to those getting ready to travel. We all wanted to see the way they are loaded and what the area inside the belly of the plane looks like. This video is very insightful and I hope you find helpful. A REAL MUST SEE!