Kennel size for airline

[Urban Borders]

Planning on flying a dog domestically, from Philly to San Francisco. Dog weighs 29 lbs and is about 19.5" at the withers. Going to fly nonstop United, but I'm in a bit of a pickle. She's right at the height cutoff for a 32" crate (24" tall) versus a 36" crate (27" tall). However, the stinker is that the smaller crate weighs 18-19 lbs, and the bigger 23 lbs; these are Petmate Sky Kennels. If the combined weight of crate plus dog is over 50 lbs, I have to pay an extra 110 dollars round trip (628 versus 518). That's a heck of a lot of money, so I'd rather fly her in the smaller crate. But I also don't want to get to the airport and have them turn her away. If you've flown a similarly sized dog, what crate size have you used?

[Liz P]

You WILL get turned away if the crate is too small. Go with the bigger crate. BTW, if your dog is prick eared, you need more height. The tips of the ears aren't supposed to touch the top of the crate.

[Urban Borders]

Yeah, I know. She is prick eared, which is why I'm nervous. I don't have the money to fly her if it costs more, so she'll have to stay home. That would be disappointing, although it may have to happen. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with what size they generally have accepted (no guarantees I know), because I'm trying to decide between taking her and not.

[schrevolution]

Get the bigger crate for sure, I flew Ziggy with Delta, so not sure about your airline but I ended up having to buy one of their crates, even thought the one I bought was the same size as his wire crate at home. The diagram at cargo even showed the dog with its tail not even touching the back of the kennel O_O Talk about almost panic attack (it had been an ordeal getting him to the airport because I drive a miata, so no way to bring him and the kennel safely, and surprise suprise, airport shuttles won't go to the cargo area) they didn't even bother to tell me they had kennels for sale . Luckily I thought to ask and he made it, but definitely don't underestimate the kennel size.

[CMP]

Yeah, most airlines are very picky about that. If there is any doubt, they will tell you that you have to upsize.

 

As someone once suggested to me, "tape her ears!".

 

On a serious note, I hope you get it worked out.

[Urban Borders]

LOL, I asked a friend if I could tape her ears last night. We're going to be in CA for a week, so a 300 series kennel would be too small anyways, to have her sleep in for that long. Going to sell her old crate, and a spare wire one. And hopefully pick up a few more hours of work to pay for the difference.

[airbear]

You can take the dog and crate to the airport in advance of your flight and check with your carrier to see if they would accept the crate/dog configuration. They'll be able to weigh it too, as well as tell you what else you might need (ater dishes, bedding, stickers, etc.).

 

I have a dog about your size and I fly him in a 36" crate. The combined weight of dog/crate is 34 kg (75 lbs).

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Traveler,

 

I haven't had problems flying my dogs Delta domestically with a rationally sized crate as Excess Baggage BUT air cargo from the UK insisted on a crate big enough for me to travel in. Good advice: check ahead.

 

Donald McCaig

[alligande]

Dear Traveler,

 

I haven't had problems flying my dogs Delta domestically with a rationally sized crate as Excess Baggage BUT air cargo from the UK insisted on a crate big enough for me to travel in. Good advice: check ahead.

 

Donald McCaig

This was Rievaulx and I sharing his crate, it was only through some very creative measuring that he was approved by British Airways to fly to the UK in this one

This is what he looked like sitting in a 700 series crate which is what he really needed according to BAs specs.

[gcv-border]

For some reason, the crate you are sharing looks bigger than the other one. Probably because of the perspective.

 

Regardless, he is one handsome boy.

[Liz P]

Looks like you are sitting in a Remington brand crate? I wouldn't use that brand for shipping. The plastic is really brittle and breaks frequently.

[alligande]

Yes it was Liz, glad I did not know that when I bought it! I googled it before I purshaced it and did not come up with any thing negative. It made the flight safely with no damge and unless I fly him back to the states soon which I am not planning to it is sitting in my mothers garage as it is far to big to use in a European car. We rented a decent sized Peugot station wagon from Heathrow and it barely fit in broken down with our luggage inside, the bigger 700 series one in the other picture would never have fitted, we would have been leaving a very expensive crate at the airport.

[Liz P]

I have a bunch of Remingtons because they are cheap and have a nice size for house breaking pups. They shatter way too easily for comfort.