The right travel crate: measure, check, then train

Why the crate gets so much attention

For a pet flying in the hold, as checked baggage or cargo, the crate is its space for the whole journey, from drop-off to pickup. Airlines therefore check it carefully. Most carriers follow the container standards in the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR). Delta, for example, says on its shipping page that cargo kennels must meet LAR Container Requirement 1, and that the pet must be able to stand, sit upright, lie down and turn around without touching the top or sides.

Container Requirement 1 (CR1) is the IATA standard for cats and dogs. IATA links the current version from its Traveler's Pet Corner.

Step 1: measure your pet

Measure with your pet standing naturally, not stretched or crouched. IATA uses four body measurements:

• A: length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail;
• B: height from the ground to the elbow joint;
• C: width across the shoulders or the widest point, whichever is greater;
• D: standing height from the floor to the top of the head or the ear tip, whichever is higher.

IATA then turns them into minimum internal crate dimensions:

1. Length = A + ½ B
2. Width = C x 2
3. Height = D + the height of the bedding

The formula gives internal dimensions. Product listings usually show external sizes, so compare carefully, and remember that ears that stand up count toward height.

One pet or two per crate?

Usually one. IATA's page limits sharing to young puppies or kittens (no older than six months) and says animals over 14 kg must be crated individually. China Airlines, for example, accepts one pet per container. When IATA allows two or three animals together, the width becomes C x 3 or C x 4, based on the largest animal. Ask us before planning a shared crate: many routes simply will not accept it.

Step 2: the check-in checklist

Before you buy, and again the week before departure, walk through this list:

• the internal size meets the formula above, with headroom for upright ears;
• the crate is rigid and undamaged, with the hardware the airline requires (we check CR1 and the carrier's own rules for your booking);
• your pet can stand, sit upright, lie down and turn around without touching the top or sides;
• the crate is not too heavy for the airline's combined pet-plus-crate limit (fees are often based on that combined weight, as on China Airlines);
• labels, contact details and any documents the airline asks for are ready to attach;
• you have checked the airline's seasonal rules, which sometimes change what can go on or inside a crate.

For a cabin pet the rules are different: a soft carrier that fits under the seat. Delta, for example, recommends a maximum of 18 x 11 x 11 inches and asks for ventilation on four sides for international flights (Delta pet travel). See cabin, checked baggage or cargo for how the mode is decided.

Step 3: crate training, on a calendar

IATA suggests letting your pet get familiar with the crate a few weeks or months before departure. Delta warns that adjusting to confinement can take weeks to months. A simple progression:

1. Weeks before: set the crate up at home with the door open. Feed meals inside it. Let your pet choose to rest there.
2. Next: close the door for short, calm periods while you are in the room, then while you step away.
3. Then: practice short car rides in the crate, so motion and noise become familiar.
4. Final weeks: your pet should sleep in the crate comfortably. Add an item that smells like home.

When to buy

Buy the crate once your route and airline are known, because carriers differ, and early enough to leave several weeks of training. For a puppy, measure again close to departure. Our crate guidance service checks the size and type against your airline before you buy, and our planning timeline shows where the crate fits in the overall schedule.