The 5 best airline-approved cat carriers in 2025, tested and reviewed

The best airline-approved cat carriers meet size requirements for Delta, United and more. Our top picks for travel include expandable pet carriers.

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Flying with a cat is stressful, but one of the best airline-approved cat carriers can make it easier to travel with your cat. When you place your cat at your feet in the plane cabin, securing them in a soft-sided pet carrier with some key features will ensure their comfort and safety, and your peace of mind.

To recommend the best airline cat carriers, we spoke with a veterinarian and pet travel experts and tested 30 airline-friendly pet carriers. Our top pick, the crash-tested Sleepypod Air, can be compressed to fit under seats as little as 16 inches wide and features comfortable touches that make it easy to carry and transport. If you're looking for a more affordable carrier, the Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag will keep your kitty comfortable from the beginning to the end of your journey. It's cozy and durable, but the handle wrap lacks cushioning, and the carrier doesn't have much structure, making it a little less comfortable to carry.

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

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

Our top picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers

Best overall: Sleepypod Air - See at Chewy

Best expandable: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier - See at Amazon

Best budget: Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag - See at Chewy

Best backpack: Mr. Peanut's Monterey Series Backpack Airline Compliant Pet Carrier - See at Amazon

Best stylish: Away The Pet Carrier - See at Away

Best overall

Our cat testers weren't shy about expressing their preference for the Sleepypod Air. At a recent vet visit, my 10- and 11-pound cats climbed into the Sleepypod Air together, ignoring the other carrier I brought. Its soft, dark, and spacious interior seemed to help them stay calm. The carrier includes a privacy screen you can slide through the mesh top for skittish fliers, though this significantly reduces your cat's access to fresh air. Still, with the privacy screen in place, ventilation is around 20%, exceeding the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 16% minimum for in-cabin live animal transport.

The Sleepypod Air is one of a handful of pet carriers certified by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). This nonprofit consumer advocacy organization crash-tests pet carriers to ensure their safety in automobile collisions. It earned a 4 out of 5-star rating because it lifted from the seat slightly in crash tests. Even so, Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of CPS, considers the result a positive one, saying the Sleepypod Air performed exceptionally well. 

The padded cross-body shoulder strap felt supportive, and the carrier rested comfortably against the body without collapsing inward. With the luggage strap, the carrier easily stayed balanced on a suitcase when rolling over curbs and rough sidewalks.

The Sleepypod Air isn't cheap. However, given its versatility, comfort, and impressive safety features, we believe it's well worth the investment. You can return it, used or unused, within a year, and Sleepypod guarantees a replacement if it's damaged in an auto accident.

Best expandable

On long travel days with time spent in airports, Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier offers jet-setting cats extra space to stretch out. It includes a zippered panel on its right side that unfolds into a mesh atrium that nearly doubles the carrier's interior space. While the expandable section 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.

The spacious carrier is front- and top-loading with a roll-up privacy flap over the top door. It offers plenty of ventilation to keep a cat from overheating. Inside, there is a soft plush bolster bed and safety tether. Outside, it has an adjustable padded shoulder strap and a faux leather carry handle. There is one 10-inch by 4-inch mesh pocket on the backside. 

With sturdy mesh screens and smooth zippers, Mr. Peanut's carrier excelled in our testing. It was easy to spot clean, and although the bed is labeled hand-wash only, it came out of the washing machine looking nearly new after air-drying.

When we tested the luggage strap, the carrier remained mostly balanced on our suitcase, slipping only about an inch to one side. Carrying it on the shoulder was comfortable, and the strap was easy to adjust to the correct length.

Best budget

Although this carrier is a fraction of the price of our other picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers, it still performed well in durability testing. At home, it was also the carrier our tester cats consistently chose to lounge in time and time again. Simply put, the cozy Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag is an excellent budget airline cat carrier.

Susan Nilson, a cat and dog trainer and behavior specialist, recommends leaving a carrier with the doors open at home so your cat can get accustomed to it before travel. We did just that, and the carrier quickly became one of our cats' favorite spots to nap. Even after machine washing the interior fleece mat, it didn't lose its softness or cat appeal.

The carrier has two doors, top and side, and two storage pockets: a secure Velcro pocket to stash your keys and phone and a mesh pocket to keep your cat's treats and travel documents easily accessible. The included collapsible silicone bowl and ID tag ticks two essentials off your packing list.

The adjustable shoulder strap and carry handle lack padding and may become uncomfortable on longer journeys. Like pricier options, the Frisco carrier includes a luggage strap designed to attach the carrier to the telescopic handle of your suitcase. However, the strap doesn't keep the carrier well-balanced on curbs and sidewalks, so you'll want to have a free hand for added support. 

Best stylish

We're big fans of Away's luggage line for its sleek design and thoughtful features. With the Away Pet Carrier, your feline companion can travel with the same sophistication and comfort. Like the Sleepypod Air, the carrier is crash-test certified by the CPS, earning a perfect 5-star crash-test rating.

Our feline tester loved the soft sherpa interior mat, making this carrier a prime napping spot at home and on the go. Mesh windows on two sides and the top provide excellent ventilation while giving your cat a sense of security. However, if your cat is a nervous flyer, simply roll down the privacy window for extra calm.

To navigate busy airports, you can slide the handy back sleeve over the handle of luggage from any brand. There's also an adjustable shoulder strap so you can wear it crossbody, and the carrier has just rigid enough construction so it won't collapse inward on your precious cargo. You can also carry your cat using the leather hand strap.

This carrier's wipe-away nylon exterior and interior make cleaning up messes on the go easy. Even the pockets are nylon-lined, and the front pocket is waterproof with drainage holes, perfect for storing a collapsible water bowl. The machine-washable interior liner is secured by velcro and easy to remove, so you can toss it in the wash once you reach your destination.

The biggest issues with the Away Pet Carrier are that it's only available in black and tends to go out of stock. If you find it's unavailable and our other picks aren't the right style for you, we recommend the Kyoto Pet Carrier from Dagne Dover, a brand loved by our style editors. The carrier comes in three colors, but at $340 for the size large, we wish it were crash-test certified, too.

Best backpack

If your hands are full, Mr. Peanut's backpack carrier might be your best bet. It's a cat carrier you can wear on your back to keep your hands free and your cat safe. 

The backpack prioritizes a cat's comfort with a wider profile similar to a traditional carrier. This design eliminates the need to turn the carrier — and your cat — on its side for stowing under the seat in front of you. It sits a bit higher on my back than my favorite cat hiking backpack (reaching mid-back or higher depending on your height), but it's a small price to pay for a cozy feline friend. The adjustable, padded shoulder strap offers a carrying alternative but isn't long enough for a crossbody fit.

According to the brand, an interior machine-washable thermal pad is designed to keep cats comfortable in any climate. While I can't confirm its effectiveness at regulating temperature, my cats certainly approved of it as a napping spot. To test its ease of cleaning, I smeared a mix of dry and wet cat food on the interior and exterior. A quick wipe-down with a damp paper towel removed most of the mess from the nylon exterior. The interior quilted design trapped some dried food bits in the crevices, but the washing machine took care of the mess. A pre-wash scrub may be necessary for some dried-on accidents.

The carrier didn't take a toll on my back during walks, thanks to its mesh padding that offers breathability and cushioning. However, it lacks a waist or chest clip for added stability on long airport treks, so I tightened the shoulder straps to hold the carrier flush against my back. The carrier comes in medium and large, but only the medium size meets most airline carry-on restrictions.

What to look for in an airline cat carrier

The best airline-approved cat carriers come in many different styles at varying price points. Our experts recommend considering the following factors when shopping to ensure you get the best value for safety, comfort, and minimizing stress for your cat.

Key features: Several factors contribute to a carrier's usefulness, comfort, and safety. Based on our own experiences traveling with cats and the advice of veterinarians, below are the key features to consider.

• Shape and design: A carrier should be large enough for a cat to comfortably lie down and turn around. Some cat carriers have built-in expandable sections that can double or even triple the size of a carrier. These are ideal for allowing your cat to stretch out between flights safely.
• Interior mat: Ideally, a floor mat will be removable and machine washable. It should securely attach to the bag's interior to prevent it from sliding around.
• Loading doors: Dr. Gwen Gadd, a veterinarian at the East Bay SPCA Theodore B. Travers Family Veterinary Clinic, says the best cat carriers have two doors. If your cat refuses to come out of their carrier, it may be easier to gently lift them from a door at the top of the carrier rather than struggling to remove them from the door in the front.
• Carrying straps and handles: A quality carrier should have a removable shoulder strap, preferably padded for comfort, and a double handle for lifting. A strap that wraps around and secures the handles helps keep them balanced and out of the way.
• Pockets: Pockets are essential for keeping your cat's gear and yours close at hand. A cat carrier should have multiple pockets, with at least one secured by a zipper, button, or hook-and-loop closure.
• Ventilation: According to IATA live animal regulations for in-cabin transport, pet carrier bags must have a minimum of 16% ventilation. Most soft-sided carriers meet or exceed this requirement with mesh panels.
• Privacy flaps: Some carriers feature a privacy flap that can be lifted or lowered depending on temperature and a cat's specific needs. While you will need to keep at least some areas open for ventilation, hiding helps cats feel safe, which is especially useful during a stressful event such as flying.
• Interior safety tether: An interior safety tether that clips to your cat's harness can help prevent sudden escapes. However, Wolko says to use it only during breaks to feed or give water to your pet. "The tether inside the carrier should not be used during active travel, as the pet can become tangled," she says.
• ID tag: The carrier should have its own ID tag to help reunite you with your pet if you're separated, though it's no substitute for outfitting your cat in one of the best cat collars with an ID tag attached or microchipping.
• Luggage strap: While not essential, a luggage strap or trolley sleeve that slides over a suitcase handle makes navigating the airport with a cat in tow much easier.
• Dimensions and in-cabin airline capability: Most major airlines, including Delta, American, and United, allow in-cabin carriers up to 18 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 11 inches high. Carriers that meet — or can slightly compress to meet — these dimensions are generally a safe bet. A few other airlines, like Southwest (18.5" L x 13.5" W x 8.5" H) and JetBlue (17" L x 12.5" W x 8.5" H), have stricter size limits.
• Ease of storage: Unless you frequently travel with your cat, a carrier that quickly folds flat for storage adds convenience.

Safety: Unlike child car seats, there are no universal safety standards or inspections for cat carriers. Some brands advertise their carriers as "crash-tested" or "safety-certified," but those claims can be misleading. "In-house crash testing may be inherently biased or skewed when it is conducted by the same company that manufactures the product," says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinarian and veterinary medical advisor for Rover.

Some brands go the extra mile by subjecting their carriers to rigorous testing by third-party or nonprofit safety organizations. We recognize crash safety ratings from the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that studies the safety of pet products. "They are one of only a few independent bodies that does crash testing under transparent, standardized, and scientific conditions, using benchmarks based on safety standards for children's car seats," Greenstein says. CPS collaborates with Subaru of America, Inc., to conduct specially designed crash tests with dummies. Among our recommended picks, the Sleepypod Air and Away Pet Carrier have been crash-test certified for auto transport by the CPS.

Currently, CPS studies do not extend to air travel and flight safety. Despite the absence of standardized air travel safety tests, crash-test certification remains the gold standard. Wolko says carriers are most susceptible to failure at seams where the mesh connects to the carrier body. She recommends inspecting carriers for any signs of loose threads, weak spots, or faulty zippers to ensure their overall safety and reliability throughout transit.

Wolko says you'll want to consider your entire journey, including driving from home to the airport and transportation to your destination. Some carriers include exterior straps for securing a car seat belt. However, Wolko says that unless the carrier has been crash-tested and third-party safety certified by an organization such as the CPS, a cat carrier should always be placed on the backseat floor behind the passenger seat instead of on the seat itself. "It minimizes the impact and provides a lot of protection," she says. "If you do get into a sudden stop, they're not going to fly all over the place."

Size: A carrier should be roomy enough for your cat to comfortably turn around and lie down while still compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Carrier size requirements vary by airline, so double-check your airline's specific requirements.  

Fortunately, size isn't usually a limiting factor for cats. More often than not, they prefer to curl up in a small ball and hide during the trip, says Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian with Vetster. She says extra room for playing, eating, drinking, or using the litter box during the flight is typically unnecessary. However, if you anticipate a long layover and want extra legroom for your cat, an expandable carrier like Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier is a good choice.

Weight restrictions: Many in-cabin cat carriers are suitable for cats weighing up to 15 or 18 pounds. If your cat is on the heavier side, double-check the weight limit for the carrier you're considering purchasing and make sure your cat has room to move around comfortably in it. 

Ventilation: Most carriers are designed with enough ventilation (at least 16%) to meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) minimum requirement. Some carriers may have less or more, so the amount of ventilation you choose depends on you and your cat's preferences. 

Since Myers says most cats prefer to hide in stressful environments, carriers with privacy walls and flaps may be beneficial. Alternatively, she recommends bringing a towel or blanket that you can place over the carrier if your cat becomes stressed. "Even if you cover the carrier with a towel, it's far from airtight," she says. "Simply check on your cat occasionally, without disturbing them any more than necessary."

How we tested the best airline-approved cat carriers

This guide was reported by Shoshi Parks and Janelle Leeson, both seasoned cat product testers with a combined clowder of four cats who sniff, paw, ride in, and, if they're comfortable enough, nap in the selection of carriers up for consideration.

Parks is a certified professional dog trainer who has tested everything from litter boxes to cat toys with her two cats. Leeson is a former foster cat mom who has transported dozens of stressed-out cats and kittens and once flew cross-country with her own cat in the cabin. Her two cats regularly help evaluate the latest and best pet products for Business Insider Reviews.

With advice from veterinarians and pet safety experts, we developed our selection and testing criteria for the best airline-approved cat carriers. Since 2021, Shoshi and Janelle have tested 30 carriers, and Janelle continues to test new carriers as they're released to keep this guide current. The dozens of carriers we evaluated underwent the tests described here.

Feature comparison: We created a system for scoring each carrier based on the key features described in the What to look for section above.

Scrape test: We scraped a mesh section of each carrier 50 times with a fork to test its durability, noting any damage or discoloration. 

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

Luggage test: If a carrier included a luggage strap, we evaluated how well it remained balanced on top of a suitcase. We placed a 10-pound weight inside and attached the carrier to a suitcase handle so it rested on top of our luggage. Then we rolled it over a curb, up a ramp, and along the sidewalk and street of a city block. 

Ventilation test: Wolko says ventilation is important to prevent a cat from overheating during travel. We measured the dimensions of each carrier's mesh panels and calculated the percentage of the total surface area they comprised. We favored bags with more ventilation. According to IATA live animal regulations, pet carrier bags must have a minimum of 16% ventilation. 

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

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

Drop and stomp tests: We brought the carriers to a local park, loaded each one with a 10-pound weight, and threw them off of a 10-foot play structure, looking for any damage that occurred upon landing. We then rolled the bags several times on the ground with the weight still inside, looking for damage to the stitching, mesh, or zippers. Later, at home, we placed each carrier on a rug and stomped on it a dozen times with bare feet, noting whether its frame changed shape or the bag suffered any other damage.

Airline cat carrier FAQs

How do you know if a pet carrier is airline-approved?

To fly with a cat in the cabin of a plane, you'll need a soft-sided carrier that fits within the allowable dimensions of the airline, which vary a little from airline to airline. Regardless of the carrier you use, Wolko says to make sure your cat has enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Additionally, there should be at least 2 to 3 inches of clearance from the top of their ears to the interior roof of the carrier.

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 trip. 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 be ventilated on all four sides. According to the IATA live animal regulations, both soft- and hard-sided pet carriers must have a minimum of 16% ventilation. 

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

Unless a cat has a medical condition, they will be fine without access to a litter box for the length of a flight. "Just based on the physiology of cats, they could probably go from Boston to Hawaii without needing to void," says Dr. Bob Murtaugh, a veterinarian and chair of veterinary medicine for the National Academies of Practice.

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. When you let your cat out of their carrier, you'll want to safely secure them with one of the best cat harnesses attached to a leash.

Do cats need food and water on a flight? 

On shorter in-cabin flights, it's unlikely your cat will 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 are the signs that my cat may be in distress in flight?

Murtaugh says a few obvious signs may indicate that your cat is in distress during a flight 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. If a flight attendant approves, 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. Before your travel, Nilson recommends lightly spraying the carrier with calming pheromones. 

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," Murtaugh says.

Place the carrier in an area of the home where your cat spends a lot of time. Then, encourage your cat to explore it by placing catnip and treats inside or 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," Murtaugh says. "Your vet can help you tailor that to your cat's needs."

The IATA recommends against sedating a cat before flying in the cargo hold. It can be fatal for older, chronically sick, or highly stressed animals. Nilson says calming pheromones such as Feliway or Pet Remedy are safe alternatives.