The 9 Best Airline-Approved Cat Carriers

• Also available on Chewy, $33
• Available sizes: Small, Medium (featured), Large
• Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 10.5 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 16 pounds

With an overall 4.6-star rating after over 1,400 reviews, the Sherpa Original Deluxe pet carrier is a favorite among pet owners. It features a flexible wire frame that’s easy to push under airline seats, and large mesh windows provide lots of ventilation for your pet. There are top and side entry doors with locking zippers and a machine-washable faux lambskin liner to keep your cat cozy. The carrier also has convenient top carry handles, an exterior pocket, and a padded shoulder strap that’s adjustable for comfort. Plus, the luggage strap doubles as a seat belt security strap, so this carrier is great for car trips, too.

The carrier comes in seven colors and three sizes. The small and medium versions are part of Sherpa’s Guaranteed on Board program, so they’re guaranteed to be compliant with several major airlines’ specific rules and regulations, including Delta, Southwest, and United. All you have to do is head to the company's website and provide flight information, then you'll receive a form guaranteeing you'll be able to bring your pet along, otherwise the company reimburses your flight costs.

An enthusiastic review: “I have a 17 lb cat. I used this carrier for our 3 international flights. The carrier fit perfectly under the seat in the airplane cabin. My cat loved the sherpa liner.”

• Available sizes: 21-inch (featured), 28-inch, 32-inch, 36-inch, 40-inch, 48-inch
• Dimensions: 21 x 16 x 15 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 15 pounds

If your cat has to travel in the cargo hold, opt for this durable hard-sided pet carrier. It features a secure interlocking door and ventilation openings and comes with two “Live Animal” stickers, ID stickers, and clip-on bowls. This carrier comes in six sizes. The 21-inch and 28-inch carriers have top handles for easy transport, while the larger sizes have vaulted doors for added security. The 21-inch carrier featured here can accommodate pets up to 15 pounds.

An enthusiastic review: “I purchased this kennel for my cat, to use during her (unaccompanied!) journey from the US to the UK. The trip involved a 3.5 hour drive, followed by about 35 minutes of walking around lost in Newark Airport, and then a 6 hour flight to Manchester. Little miss kitty had an entirely safe journey and was back to her curious self again by the evening after she landed!”

• Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.2 x 11.8 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 25 pounds

If carrying your cat puts too much strain on your back and shoulders, this carrier with wheels is good for pets up to 25 pounds and can help you comfortably breeze through the airport. The soft-sided carrier rests on a four-wheeled platform with a telescopic handle, and there are also hand straps and an adjustable shoulder strap for those times when you need to lift it. There are mesh windows for ventilation, side and top zippered openings, exterior pockets, and a machine-washable fleece pad to keep your cat comfy. Keep in mind, some reviewers mentioned having to detach the wheeled platform to fit the carrier under their airplane seat — but that’s easy to do, and you can also fold the carrier flat for convenient storage when your trip is over. A collapsible bowl is also included.

An enthusiastic review: “[...] In order to slide it under the seat in front of me on a plane I had to remove the wheels but that was quick and easy to do. Over all it worked very well for both a long car ride over Thanksgiving and a 3 hour plane trip.”

• Dimensions: 12.99 x 11.8 x 16.14 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 13 pounds

Looking for a cat carrier that's as extraordinary as your favorite feline? With this innovative backpack, which comes with a semi-sphere window design, you'll get it. Its convenient style allows you to economize your carrying effort and take your pet literally anywhere. Ideal for cats up to 13 pounds, this comes with mesh panels and ventilation holes, plus a built-in leash and top and side entries that allow for maximum accessibility and comfort. It's even available in three colors: ash black, coffee, and light gray.

An enthusiastic review: “I got this for my 8 month old cat who weighs about 10 pounds and she fit with plenty of room to spare. I take my cat out for travel regularly using this carrier and I can barely notice a weight on my back when I carry her. The adjustable straps and back padding were added bonuses. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a comfortable carrier for their cat or small dog. Definitely worth the price!”

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 9.8 x 10.6 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 8 pounds

For the best overall pick when you're shopping on a budget, this soft-sided carrier really is a must-own. Designed to be lightweight yet still durable, it comes with four soft sides and mesh panels for better ventilation. Since this has a padded shoulder strap, you can carry it with you easily as a tote, or carry it using the top handles. While this carrier isn't ideal for all breeds since it can only carry pets up to 8 pounds, it's more than enough if you're traveling with kittens or a single average-sized cat. This also has a small zipper pocket on the side exterior, which makes for convenient additional storage.

An enthusiastic review: “The cat carrier is exactly as described and is perfect for my little cat. She fits perfectly in it with room to spare. There are ample openings so that the kitty gets plenty of air. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a carrier for a small fur baby.”

• Available sizes: Small, Medium (featured), Large
• Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 11 inches (length x width x height) when zipped up; 29 x 17 x 11 inches (length x width x height) when expanded
• Weight limit: Up to 13 pounds

This highly rated cat carrier gives kitties space to stretch out, even when they're in a packed cabin in the air. Made with mesh panels and a convenient wire frame that adds extra support to this carrier, it's definitely one of the most flexible options you can invest in before a long trip. It comes with a shoulder strap, two zipper doors, side pockets for storage, and a soft fleece pad for cuddling. This medium-size carrier is good for cats up to 13 pounds (the large size accommodates kitties up to 18 pounds) and it works especially well for longer international flights since it gives cats a little opportunity to roam. While reviewers definitely recommend checking with your airline's rules and regulations before traveling with this, it's a terrific option that could help your pet feel less anxious during flights.

An enthusiastic review: “Able to use for Delta flights! Once we got our seats just opened one side, opened another later. Our cat really hates small space like pet carriers but had been so calm during 6 hrs flight [...] Inside of the carrier is fluffy and she started being comfortable once she understood no one was gonna get her out.”

• Dimensions: 22 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 18 pounds

Upgrade your cat to first-class instantly with this amazingly welcoming mobile pet bed. Designed to function as a car seat and in-cabin airline carrier for pets, it can fit cats up to 18 pounds and is one of the poshest options for traveling that you'll ever come across. Crash tested for car use and certified with a four-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety, this tear-resistant carrier also comes with a trolley pocket, so you can attach it to your luggage instead of having to carry it over your shoulder. Because the Sleepypod Air has such a unique design, it contracts in size to fit in the space below most airline seats during the restricted takeoff and landing times. However, once your plane is actually in the air, you can expand the carrier to allow your pet more space below the seat.

An enthusiastic review: “We have been a fan of this carrier for years. It is comfortable to carry, the cats love them. They are sturdy and a bonus is that they look great [...] They work great on planes (used on the flight back from Germany with our 15# cat) and for trips to the vet.”

• Available sizes: XX-Small, Medium (featured)
• Dimensions: 17 x 9.5 x 11 inches (length x width x height)
• Weight limit: Up to 14 pounds

If you find front-carrying your cat more comfortable, this convertible carrier backpack is a great choice that can also be used as a traditional backpack or carried by the shoulder strap or handles. It’s made from water-resistant Oxford fabric and features side and top entry doors, breathable mesh panels, reinforced zippers, security locks, a photo ID tag, and a washable fleece pad. There are also seatbelt loops for safer car travel. Also great: The carrier folds down for easy storage. The medium size featured here is suitable for pets up to 14 pounds.

An enthusiastic review: “I use this carrier to take my cat with me on Delta flights. This is the best flight carrier I have used so far because of three features. The case is designed to fit under the airline seat either standing up, or on it's side, making it possible to go on big planes and small planes. The materials are high quality, and there are several options to carry your cat. The backpack straps do work; there is an over the shoulder strap, and there is the regular hand carry handles [...]”

• Available sizes: Medium (featured), Large
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.8 x 14 inches (length x width x height, folded)
• Weight limit: Up to 20 pounds

This roomy cat carrier has a tent-like design, breathable mesh panels, and can be carried in three different ways: as a handbag, a shoulder bag, or a backpack. You can also attach it to your suitcase using the built-in luggage strap. Plus, it expands on one side to give kitty more room to stretch. There are top and side zippered openings as well as a zippered side pocket, and the comfy mat is washable. Also great: This carrier folds down for easy storage when your trip is over. This carrier is good for pets up to 20 pounds.

An enthusiastic review: “This cat carrier is excellent, it holds my 12 pound cat comfortably, and it is sturdy enough that I have had no issues with it collapsing despite it being a soft-sided carrier. The multiple entrances make it easy to load him up, and the expandable side gives him the opportunity to stretch out on car rides.”