We have flown our beagle Sniffy around the world on our travel adventures. Embarking on an international journey with your dog requires careful planning, and choosing the right travel crate is crucial. A well-suited crate ensures your dog’s safety and comfort, especially when flying. In this guide, we’ll share insights from our personal experiences, traveling with our beagle, Sniffy, across continents, along with tips for selecting the best IATA-approved crates for your pet.
Our Airline Travel Experience with a Beagle
We have safely flown with our 20 kg beagle Sniffy on the following journeys:
- Perth, Australia to London, UK via Qatar in a PP70 crate (arranged through JetPets using Qatar Airways).
- Lisbon, Portugal to Miami, USA in a Skudo 7 (flown with TAP Portugal).
- Los Angeles, USA to Melbourne, Australia in a PP60 (flown with QANTAS Freight and quarantine in Mickleham PEQ).
Selecting the right crate for these flights was no easy feat. It took extensive research, measurements, and cross-referencing to confirm the appropriate crate features, dimensions, and weights, especially when comparing listings from various sources online and buying used from Facebook Marketplace etc. An for long haul flights (LA to Melbourne was at least 16 hour in the air) and quarantine we wanted to be sure Sniffy was comfortable and minimize the anxiety levels.
Navigating Crate Regulations and Airline Requirements
It was challenging to find consistent information about crate dimensions, weights, and airline regulations. Airlines’ websites were often limited in the information they provided, and conflicting measurements (internal vs external) and units (metric vs imperial) added to the confusion. For instance, TAP Portugal allows a maximum of 32 kg for pets in the cargo hold, and with our beagle weighing 20-21 kg, we needed a crate under 10 kg. Luckily, we found a Skudo 7 (with wheels) on Facebook Marketplace in Lisbon, which fit the bill perfectly.
When selecting a crate, it’s essential to choose one that adheres to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. We’ll cover popular models from well-known brands such as Skudo, Gulliver, PP, Petmate, and SportPet, providing both metric and imperial measurements to help you make an informed decision.
Why Opt for a Dog Travel Crate?
A dog travel crate is essential for pets traveling onboard or in the aircraft cargo hold. A secure and comfortable crate not only ensures your dog’s safety but also meets international IATA standards, which airlines worldwide follow.
IATA Standards for Dog Travel Crates:
| Criteria | IATA Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Should allow the dog to stand, turn, and lie down easily. |
| Ventilation | Ventilation on three sides with secure grilles. |
| Door | Secure locking mechanism with no risk of accidental opening. |
| Absorbent Bedding | Optional for long journeys; should be made from absorbent material. |
| Labeling | Clearly marked with the owner’s contact details. |
| Food and Water Containers | Securely attached to the crate with external access. |
IATA Criteria for Pet Crate Standards
Popular Brands and Models
1. Skudo
Skudo crates are highly regarded for their durability and IATA compliance. We used a Skudo 7 for our flight from Lisbon to Miami. They cannot be used on QANTAS flights in and out of Australia.
| Pet Carrier | Dog Size | External Length (cm/in) | External Width (cm/in) | External Height (cm/in) | Crate Weight (kg/lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skudo 1 (19”) | Toy | 48 cm / 18.9 in | 33 cm / 12.8 in | 31 cm / 12.2 in | 1.8 kg / 3.9 lbs |
| Skudo 5 (26”) | Small / Medium | 64 cm / 25.2 in | 45 cm / 17.7 in | 50 cm / 19.7 in | 4.5 kg / 9.9 lbs |
| Skudo 7 (32”) | Large | 82 cm / 32.3 in | 57 cm / 22.4 in | 61 cm / 24 in | 7.8 kg / 17.2 lbs |
| Skudo XXL | Extra Large | 122 cm / 48 in | 80 cm / 31.5 in | 89 cm / 35 in | 18 kg / 39.7 lbs |
More info on Skudo carriers here.
2. Gulliver
| Pet Carrier | Dog Size | External Length (cm/in) | External Width (cm/in) | External Height (cm/in) | Crate Weight (kg/lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulliver 3 | Small | 61 cm / 24 in | 40 cm / 15.7 in | 38 cm / 15 in | 3.8 kg / 8.4 lbs |
| Gulliver 5 | Medium | 81 cm / 31.9 in | 58 cm / 22.8 in | 60 cm / 23.6 in | 6.5 kg / 14.3 lbs |
| Gulliver 7 | Large | 104 cm / 40.9 in | 73 cm / 28.7 in | 75 cm / 29.5 in | 10 kg / 22 lbs |
| Gulliver XXL | Extra Large | 122 cm / 48 in | 80 cm / 31.5 in | 88 cm / 34.6 in | 16 kg / 35.3 lbs |
Check out Gulliver carriers on Amazon.
3. PP (Qantas Approved) / PetExpress
The PP airline-approved pet carriers are Australian-made and known for their durability, especially for long-haul international flights. These crates are widely accepted by domestic and international carriers, including Qantas and Jetstar.
- Accepted by all Australian domestic and international carriers
- Ideal for all-sized dogs
- Hardened plastic for long-lasting use
- Water bowl and funnel are included, a must for long trips
PP Crate Size Summary Table
| Model | Example Dog Breeds | Internal Dimensions (L x W x H) | External Dimensions (L x W x H) | Weight (kg/lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP-20 | Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua | 49 cm x 32 cm x 33 cm / 19.3 x 12.6 x 13 in | 53 cm x 37 cm x 37 cm / 20.9 x 14.6 x 14.6 in | 2.5 kg / 5.5 lbs |
| PP-30 | Corgi, Boston Terrier | 59 cm x 40 cm x 43 cm / 23.2 x 15.7 x 16.9 in | 62 cm x 41 cm x 45 cm / 24.4 x 16.1 x 17.7 in | 3.0 kg / 6.6 lbs |
| PP-40 | Bulldog, Beagle | 70 cm x 41 cm x 49 cm / 27.6 x 16.1 x 19.3 in | 73 cm x 45 cm x 53 cm / 28.7 x 17.7 x 20.9 in | 5.2 kg / 11.5 lbs |
| PP-50 | Border Collie, Boxer | 78 cm x 51 cm x 56 cm / 30.7 x 20.1 x 22 in | 82 cm x 56 cm x 60 cm / 32.3 x 22 x 23.6 in | 6.0 kg / 13.2 lbs |
| PP-60 | Labrador, Golden Retriever | 96 cm x 57 cm x 64 cm / 37.8 x 22.4 x 25.2 in | 93 cm x 61 cm x 68 cm / 36.6 x 24 x 26.8 in | 8.0 kg / 17.6 lbs |
| PP-70 | German Shepherd, Rottweiler | 110 cm x 60 cm x 79 cm / 43.3 x 23.6 x 31.1 in | 115 cm x 60 cm x 80 cm / 45.3 x 23.6 x 31.5 in | 13.5 kg / 29.8 lbs |
| PP-80 | Great Dane, Mastiff | 110 cm x 60 cm x 87 cm / 43.3 x 23.6 x 34.3 in | 115 cm x 66 cm x 90 cm / 45.3 x 26 x 35.4 in | 15.0 kg / 33 lbs |
| PP-90 | St. Bernard, Newfoundland | 129 cm x 74 cm x 82 cm / 50.8 x 29.1 x 32.3 in | 131 cm x 77 cm x 85 cm / 51.6 x 30.3 x 33.5 in | 18.0 kg / 39.7 lbs |
| PP-100 | Irish Wolfhound, Leonberger | 129 cm x 74 cm x 95 cm / 50.8 x 29.1 x 37.4 in | 131 cm x 77 cm x 97 cm / 51.6 x 30.3 x 38.2 in | 20.0 kg / 44.1 lbs |
| BB-45 | Bulldog, Beagle | 74 cm x 51 cm x 53 cm / 29 x 20 x 21 in | 6.4 kg / 14 lbs | |
| BB-55 | Border Collie, Boxer | 84 cm x 56 cm x 61 cm / 33 x 22 x 24 in | 8.6 kg / 19 lbs | |
| BB-75 | German Shepherd, Rottweiler | 117 cm x 69 cm x 79 cm / 46 x 27 x 31 in | 15.9 kg / 35 lbs | |
| BB-85 | Great Dane, Mastiff | 117 cm x 69 cm x 84 cm / 46 x 27 x 33 in | 16.3 kg / 36 lbs | |
| BB-95 | St. Bernard, Newfoundland | 117 cm x 69 cm x 89 cm / 46 x 27 x 35 in | 19.5 kg / 43 lbs |
Note that QANTAS dimensions we have treated as ‘official’, although they do not match other sources e.g. Pets Pantry.
4. SportPet Dog Crate
SportPet crates are an affordable and reliable option, perfect for pet owners looking for a travel solution that adheres to IATA standards. These crates are known for their lightweight build and sturdy construction, ensuring your pet’s safety during air travel. SportPet offers various sizes suitable for different breeds and weights, making it a versatile choice. We saw on Facebook groups in 2024 regarding US to Australia travel that someone had used a SportPet crate they purchased from Amazon.
SportPet Crate Size Summary Table
| Pet Carrier | Dog Size | External Length (cm/in) | External Width (cm/in) | External Height (cm/in) | Crate Weight (kg/lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SportPet Small | Small Breeds (Chihuahua, Pomeranian) | 53 cm / 20.8 in | 32 cm / 12.6 in | 33 cm / 12.9 in | 2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs |
| SportPet Medium | Medium Breeds (Beagle, Pug) | 71 cm / 27.9 in | 50 cm / 19.7 in | 53 cm / 20.8 in | 5.4 kg / 12.0 lbs |
| SportPet Large | Large Breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever) | 90 cm / 35.4 in | 60 cm / 23.6 in | 68 cm / 26.7 in | 8.2 kg / 18.0 lbs |
| SportPet Extra-Large | Extra-Large Breeds (German Shepherd, Rottweiler) | 115 cm / 45.2 in | 70 cm / 27.6 in | 80 cm / 31.4 in | 13.5 kg / 29.8 lbs |
| SportPet XXL | Giant Breeds | 132 cm / 52 in | 85 cm / 33.5 in | 92 cm / 36.2 in | 18.5 kg / 40.8 lbs |
5. Petmate
Petmate crates are another reliable option for air travel. Below is the summary for Petmate models. We have not used them, but it was a viable option to get quick and cheap from Amazon while we hunted Facebook Marketplace for a used PP60 crate to return to Australia.
| Pet Carrier | Dog Size | External Length (cm/in) | External Width (cm/in) | External Height (cm/in) | Crate Weight (kg/lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petmate Small | Toy Breeds | 48 cm / 18.9 in | 33 cm / 13 in | 32 cm / 12.6 in | 2 kg / 4.4 lbs |
| Petmate Large | Medium Breeds | 80 cm / 31.5 in | 57 cm / 22.4 in | 67 cm / 26.4 in | 6.5 kg / 14.3 lbs |
| Petmate Extra-Large | Large Breeds | 102 cm / 40.2 in | 69 cm / 27.2 in | 76 cm / 29.9 in | 10 kg / 22 lbs |
| Petmate Giant | Giant Breeds | 122 cm / 48 in | 81 cm / 31.9 in | 88 cm / 34.6 in | 15.5 kg / 34.2 lbs |
Choosing the Right Crate
Selecting the right travel crate involves considering several factors:
- Your dog’s size and weight
- The duration of the journey
- Adherence to IATA standards
- How you will transport or dispose of the crate on arrival
- The cost of travel
With a comprehensive range of models from brands like Skudo, Gulliver, PP, SportPet, and Petmate, you can ensure a secure and comfortable travel experience for your cherished pet, from toy to giant breeds.
These dimensions and weights have been compiled from a variety of sources, including manufacturer websites and third-party sellers. Always re-measure and re-weigh your crate once purchased to ensure accuracy before traveling.
Getting a high-quality travel crate for your dog ensures their comfort and safety during flights. By choosing IATA-approved crates from reputable brands like Skudo, Gulliver, PP, SportPet, and Petmate, you can embark on your journey with peace of mind, knowing your pet is well-cared for throughout their adventure.
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