Best Airline Approved Large Dog Kennels 2025 🐶✈️

Flying with your large dog? Here’s how to choose the safest, dog kennels for airplane cargo travel—because your dog deserves comfort and security at 35,000 feet.

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When you’re flying with your large dog and they can’t be by your side in the cabin, the cargo hold becomes their temporary travel space. It’s emotional, we know, and entrusting your pup’s well-being to airline staff is never easy. That’s why choosing the right travel kennel is so important!

We’ve spent a lot of energy worrying about our own pups’ journey and time researching the best way to facilitate it and below, we’ll walk you through key requirements, what to look for, and a comparison of four popular airline-approved hard-sided kennels. 

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✈️ First Things First: Cargo Kennel Requirements

Before you shop, always double-check with your airline or pet relocation service. Requirements can vary by airline, destination, and even plane type, but most follow standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

🧾 Helpful Resources:

• IATA Pet Container Requirements (PDF)
  
• American Airlines Kennel Guidelines
  

Most Airlines Require:

• Hard-sided construction: metal, rigid plastic, or wood
  
• No full wire mesh sides
  
• Ventilation on 4 sides (3 sides may be allowed on domestic flights)
  
  • Vent holes no larger than 1” x 1”, and paw/nose-proof
    
  • At least 16% of surface area vented
    
• Removable wheels or no wheels at all
  
• Food and water bowls attached to the door and accessible from outside
  
• Cable tie holes in all four corners for airline security sealing
  

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🐾 Top Hard-Sided Travel Crates for Large Dogs

We’ve reviewed four of the most recommended travel kennels that meet (or closely align with) airline guidelines. Each has unique strengths depending on your priorities: durability, portability, price, or ease of storage.

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🏆 Best Overall:SportPet Designs Rolling Travel Dog Crate 🏆

SportPet Designs Airline-Approved Crate (Amazon)

The SportPet Designs Rolling Travel Dog Crate offers a lot of great features at a price that won’t completely break the bank. This kennel is the only one on our list that features wheels without an added charge: the snap on wheels allow you to easily move the kennel around before and after your flight and they can be easily removed to be airline compliant when you arrive at airport check-in! The kennel also features top-carry handles which make it easier for a single person to pick up and carry and move around when your pet is not inside, but can make for a bumpy ride if lifted while occupied. The SportPet also includes airline required door-mounted food and water bowls, but you’ll need to provide your own bed or other absorbent pad on travel day.

✅ Pros:

• Removable wheels for easy rolling, compliant when detached
  
• 4-sided ventilation
  
• Built-in top carry handles (all sizes)
  
• Includes door-mounted food and water bowls
  

🚫 Cons:

• No absorbent pad included
  
• Does not collapse; bulky when not in use
  
• Top handles can be awkward when the dog is inside
  

Best for: Dog parents who want convenience of wheels and easy handling without a hefty price tag.

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💸Reliable and Budget Friendly: Petmate Sky Kennel 💸

Petmate Sky Kennel (Amazon)

The Petmate Sky Kennel is a popular, smart, and straight to the point kennel for traveling with your best buddy. Petmate considered airline compliance in all phases of design, ensuring plenty of ventilation and including all required accessories: absorbent pad, attachable food and water bowls, and “live animal” stickers. The sturdy built-in side handles allow airline staff to easily lift and move your pup and kennel with minimal shaking and jostling, but the lack of wheels and top handle may make it difficult for a solo traveler to transport the crate by themselves. 

✅ Pros:

• Airline-compliant design, fits most IATA and airline standards
  
• 4-sided ventilation
  
• Eco-friendly (made with recycled materials)
  
• Included door-mounted food/water cups, absorbent pad, and “Live Animal” stickers
  
• Built-in side handles for easier handling
  

🚫 Cons:

• No wheels (but meets airline rules!)
  
• Does not collapse for storage
  
• Larger models lack a top carry handle
  

Best for: Pet parents looking for proven reliability and airline compliance with all required accessories included at a budget conscious price.

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💎Premium Option:Impact Collapsible Dog Crate💎

Impact Collapsible Dog Crate (Amazon)

The Impact Collapsible Dog Crate is a premium, ultra-durable, and collapsible kennel that comes with a premium price tag. The aluminum construction is highly durable and is built to last and the crate collapses down to be compact for easy storage and transport when not in use. Impact has taken care to design heavy-duty side rails that lock the walls in place while the crate is expanded and offer an optional IATA approved rear rail to enhance airflow during air travel, but some airlines prohibit collapsible kennels no matter how sturdy so be sure to check with your airline before you fly. Impact also offers a wheel cart for an extra cost to make moving the loaded kennel much easier for one person and an absorbent crate pad is available for purchase as well, however this crate does not come with attached food and water bowls and the uncommon vent pattern may make it difficult to find a compatible option. With the expensive base price and pricey addons make this an impractical option for many pet owners, but if you include your four-legged friend in all your adventures and need a kennel that can withstand heavy use this may be well worth the high price.

✅ Pros:

• Metal construction built for serious durability
  
• Full 4-sided vertical ventilation
  
• Collapses flat for easy storage and transport
  
• No tools needed for assembly
  
• Optional wheel cart available
  

🚫 Cons:

• Some airlines may not allow collapsible crates, even with IATA hardware. **Check with your airline before travel day**
  
• Thicker wall design may interfere with bowl attachment brackets
  
• Bowls and pad not included
  
• Premium price point
  

Best for: Owners who value long-term durability and portability. Ideal if you travel often and want a long-lasting solution and if you plan to use the crate to include your pup in all your adventures, not just in the air.

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👜 Best Accessories: Mirapet USA Premium Collapsible Kennel 👜

Mirapet Collapsible Pet Carrier (Amazon)

The Mirapet USA Premium Collapsible Kennel is a great space-saving option with plenty of accessories. It comes in at a much more manageable price than other collapsible options like the Impact crate and has many available accessories to help meet your specific needs (however some brands offer some of these accessories like the absorbent mat and food and water bowls as included features). Optional wheels make moving the crate much easier for one person while loaded with a furry passenger and the over-shoulder strap makes transporting the crate while folded a breeze. This crate is ideal for travelers who expect to have their pet in and out of the crate frequently, but the limited size options make it a bad fit (literally!) for some. 

✅ Pros:

• Collapses down for storage or transport
  
• Offers 4-sided ventilation
  
• Available accessories: wheels, mats, carry straps, and more
  
• More affordable than other collapsible options
  

🚫 Cons:

• Limited sizes may not fit all large breeds
  
• Accessories (bowls, wheels, etc.) cost extra
  
• Some airlines may not allow collapsible designs in cargo
  

Best for: Travelers with medium-large dogs or smaller who need something highly customizable and compact.

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🧡 Final Thoughts: Choose with Confidence

Flying your dog in cargo isn’t just a logistical decision, it’s an emotional one. These crates are more than boxes; they’re your pet’s temporary home in the sky.

Here’s a quick comparison recap:

Crate	Collapsible	Four Sided Ventilation	Bowls Included	Wheels Included	Quick Summary
SportPet Designs	❌	✅	✅	✅ (removable)	A great all-around option
Petmate Sky Kennel	❌	✅	✅	❌	A smart, reliable kennel plus accessories at a budget conscious price
Impact Crate	✅	✅	❌	❌(Cart sold separately)	A rugged, easy to store, long lasting kennel at a premium price
Mirapet Carrier	✅	✅	❌ (sold separately)	❌ (sold separately)	Great accessories, but limited size options

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🧳 Tip: Prep Early, Travel Calmly

• Let your pup get used to the kennel weeks before your trip
  
• See our 5 Must Have Accessories for your pup’s travel day!
  
• Always consult your vet before the trip if you’re concerned about anxiety or sedation
  

Wishing you and your furry co-pilot a smooth and stress-free journey. 🐕✈️