What Size Dog Fits Under an Airplane Seat: A Comprehensive Guide
If you love traveling with your furry companion but worry about whether they’ll fit in the airplane cabin, this guide will answer all your questions. From my experiences traveling internationally with small dogs, I’ve faced many of the challenges you may encounter. Here are the key factors to consider when determining what size dog is suitable for airplane travel.
Standard Airline Size Restrictions
Most airlines allow dogs or cats that can fit comfortably in a carrier which is stored under the seat in front of you. However, size restrictions do vary slightly between carriers. The typical maximum dimensions are:
- Length: 16 inches or 40 cm
- Width: 9 inches or 23 cm
- Height: 7 inches or 18 cm
These measurements refer to the dimensions of the carrier itself, not the size of your pet. So consider buying a carrier slightly larger than your dog to allow room for comfort. Some airlines may also charge a small fee for pets traveling in the cabin.
Small Dog Breeds That Fit
The following dog breeds commonly fall within standard airline size restrictions and usually fit easily under most airplane seats:
- Chihuahua
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Maltese
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Havanese
- Shih Tzu
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Dachshund
In general, dogs under 10 pounds like toy breeds fit regulations with room to spare. Larger toy or smaller miniature breeds between 10-15 pounds may squeeze in depending on their own dimensions and the specific aircraft seat layout.
Measure Accurately Before Booking Travel
Here’s where real-life experience comes in – it’s crucial to physically measure your dog and their carrier well before tickets are booked. Airline seats, and even different planes by the same carrier, can vary in under-seat dimensions. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel once just barely exceeded limits and had to be checked instead due to a snug seat pocket.
Place your pup inside their carrier and test the fit under various chairs at home or at the local airport. Allow adequate room for movement and consider your dog’s comfort on a potentially long flight. Err on the smaller side to avoid disappointments or extra fees at the gate.
Alternatives When Over Size Restrictions
If Rover simply doesn’t squeeze into guidelines, don’t despair. Many airlines do offer pet-friendly checked baggage options. While less than ideal compared to cabin travel, checked pets at least fly in pressurized cargo compartments. Make sure to research carrier requirements and try volunteering your dog for a test run in their crate beforehand.
As a last resort, look into drives or multi-leg flights instead of one nonstop flight. Dividing the journey into shorter hops may let you bypass size rules on certain segments. You could even consider booking the whole trip a few pounds shy of limits so remeasures allow some flexibility. Get creative when a direct flight won’t work!
flying With An “Oversized” Dog On International Routes
If you require international travel, airlines tend to offer more options compared to domestic carriers. Some let slightly larger pets ride in the main cabin with you, provided you purchase an extra seat for your pooch. While pricey, it ensures your fur baby’s safety, security and comfort joining you abroad.
On long haul flights especially, the calming presence of their owner is arguably more important to pets than short hops. International carriers from places like Malaysia, Thailand or India have permitted me to bring dogs on up to 18 pounds before in-cabin as extra ticketed “passengers”.
Just be sure to check policies very carefully for immunization paperwork, size limits, advance booking needs and any quarantine regulations upon arrival to your destination country. Planning takes work but the trip experiences have always been worth it!
Preparing Mentally And Physically For Flight
Whether your pup rides below or joins you as carry-on, successful air travel starts with proper desensitization training well in advance. Get them used to noises, being confined and handled in their crate through short practice sessions with treats. Consider calming aids if they get stressed, but introduce these gradually too to avoid dependence.
On flight day, exercise them fully beforehand and provide favorite chews/toys for entertainment. For long hauls over 5 hours, discuss sedatives with your vet who knows your particular pooch best. A relaxed ride is safest for all. Finally, don’t forget documents, food/water, pads, paper towel and a leash for arrival – being prepared will leave you feeling less harried.
With diligent preparation and due diligence on regulations, many owners find flying with dogs under 10 pounds or small breeds up to 15 pounds works well. Just ensure safe, comfortable transportation is top priority when considering travel plans with your furry family member. Hopefully this guide has addressed all dimensions of your question and concerns!
Please let me know if any part of the decision-making process remains unclear. I’d be honored to share more candid lessons from my own adventures ferrying Fido aboard planes over the years. Safe travels to you both!
Dog Size Recommendations for Traveling by Airplane
| Dog Breed | Average Weight (lbs) | Fit Under Seat? |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4-7 | Yes |
| Chihuahua | 3-6 | Yes |
| French Bulldog | 20-28 | Potentially |
| Labrador Retriever | 55-80 | No, bring in carrier |
| Great Dane | 110-200 | No, bring in carrier |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 110 | No, bring in carrier |
FAQ
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What size dog fits under an airplane seat?
Generally speaking, dogs under 20 pounds can sit in the cabin under the airplane seat in front of you. However, some airlines allow slightly larger dogs of about 25 pounds.
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How big can a lap dog be to fly in the cabin?
Most airlines state that a dog must be able to fit on your lap with its head sticking out. So lap dogs like Chihuahuas or toy poodles that are around 10 pounds or less are usually fine. But occasionally an airline will let a medium sized dog of 15-20 pounds sit on a person’s lap.
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Will a French Bulldog fit under the seat?
French Bulldogs usually weigh between 18-28 pounds. So a French Bulldog on the smaller side, around 18 pounds, may squeeze under the seat depending on its shape and how squished it allows itself to become. A bulldog closer to 25 pounds would be too big for cabin travel in most cases.
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What size crate is needed for under the seat?
The standard size crate that fits under most airplane seats measures approximately 17x11x7 inches. You want to get a soft-sided crate that size or a bit smaller. Any larger and they won’t fit without sticking out into the aisle.
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Can I bring my Beagle on the plane?
The average Beagle weighs between 25-35 pounds. Which means sadly for most flights, a regular Beagle would be too big to travel under the seat in the cabin. You’d have to check the dog and put it in the cargo hold. Of course, some smaller Beagles around 20 lbs may squeeze under depending on the specific airline rules.
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What if my dog is slightly over the weight limit?
Some airlines have a one or two pound leeway if a dog is nearly under the limit. It basically comes down to the size of the pup and the staff’s judgment that day. You may get lucky, but don’t count on it. Safer to check the overweight pooch or see if you can stuff it into a smaller approved crate under the seat. Hey, it’s worth a try!
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What size dog fits under an airplane seat?
Typically, a dog that’s around 20 pounds or less can travel in the passenger cabin under the seat in front. However, this basically means basicallymeans the pooch needs to fit on its owner’s lap with its head peeking out.
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How big can a lap dog be to fly in the cabin?
Even though some airlines let dogs up to about 25 pounds fly as a lap pet, most state that lap dogs should be around 10 pounds or less. Medium mini dogs kind of around 15-20 pounds occasionally get permitted on a person’s knees if they’re really cuddly and well-behaved though.
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Will a French Bulldog fit under the seat?
While Frenchies commonly weigh in the range of 18 to 28 lbs, a small one around 18 pounds might manage to squash down below the chair. But a bulldog closer to 25 pounds would probably be too chunky to cram underneath in most cases.
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What size crate is needed for under the seat?
An ideal-sized crate to squeeze in there measures roughly 17 by 11 by 7 inches. You’d want a soft-sided carrier around that measurement or even a bit smaller. Anything larger ain’t gonna fit without sticking out into the walkway.
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Can I bring my Beagle on the plane?
Since regular Beagles range from 25 to 35 pounds usually, most flights won’t let them travel in the cabin unfortunately. You’d have to check them into cargo. Nevertheless, a really petite Beagle around 20 lbs might sneak by under certain airline rules.
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What if my dog is slightly over the weight limit?
You may get lucky if a pup is nearly under the maximum, as some lines give a pound or two of leeway. Yet overall, it’s up to the crew’s judgment. Safer to check the overweight woof or see about squeezing them into a smaller approved crate under the seat. Who knows, it could work!