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Make your travel plans with your pup a walk in the park.

Contributor for HuffPost Books and Editor of The Lit Drop

This Gorilla Grip carrier is for smaller pets with a weight limit of 15 pounds, but it fits within the specifications of some airlines that offer in-cabin pet travel. Measuring at 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 11 inches in height, it takes the guesswork out and anxiety out of whether or not you'll have a persnickety flight agent with a ruler. And despite the bag being on the lower price point side, the Gorilla Grip carrier doesn't use a cardboard base, but a sturdy plastic one along with padded fleece inserts that are easy to remove and wash. It's also highly reviewed on Amazon, with over 1,000 reviews and 4.6 stars.

Promising review: "I love that the design is 3 of the 4 sides are mesh and the top is mesh too- so our little Yorkie can see out without worry. The zippers are easy to use, and I love that there is access through the top. The length of the strap is sufficient and you can use either the shoulder strap or the handles to grab onto for ease of traveling. Quality seems to be good- the inside has the removable hard surface which is covered in a soft carpet for comfort. The carpet cover can come off to wash. If there are any issues, I’ll update my review. But overall I’m happy with the purchase for my travel needs while flying." —JennySaysSo

Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in three colors).

Reviewers loved the multiple door zip options with this carrier from Chewy, and its price. The Jespet soft-sided carrier is one of the more reasonable options you can find, but that doesn't mean it lacks in quality, according to shoppers. Many of the reviewers on Chewy pointed out the carrier is sturdy and secure, and that the padded straps are well-constructed. It comes in two sizes, but the small/medium option is the only one that fits within most airline regulations for in-cabin carriers, at 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 11.5 inches high. Promising review: "Great for Air Travel. I got this carrier for a cross-country flight with two cats. This carrier performed very well. It made it easier to handle 18 lbs of cat through many different situations in the airport. The frame is surprisingly sturdy and made a good armrest as well. Overall I was very pleased and definitely recommend this carrier for flights."  —Lucy

Get it from Chewy for $25.99 (originally $34.99).

This adorable premium pet carrier by PetAmi comes in several color options to best match your pup's look. The carrier isn't just all about aesthetics either – it also comes with a collapsible bowl attached to the bag, safety straps to help prevent any sky-high escapes, a place for a visible name tag and more thoughtful designs that make this an easy choice for pet travel. The carrier has soft fleece bedding and is designed to have plenty of ventilation and ways to interact with your pet safely while still inside their carrier. 

Promising review: "Collapsible and well made. Flexible and could fit easily under various airline seat heights. Solid construction and lots of mesh as well. There are pockets which make keeping treats and a waterbowl nearby easy. The only thing that would make this bag better would be an additional zippered top opening." —Katrina

Get it from Chewy for $28.99+ (available in two sizes).

Sold at Wayfair, this soft-sided collapsible pet carrier for smaller dogs looks super functional. It also comes in several colors so you can match to Fido's collar. Reviewers remarked the pet carrier is slightly smaller than expected, but that the quality is precisely as described and well-made. It has mesh panels at the top and upper sides for ventilation and viewing, and external pockets to store treats, doggie bags and a few toys for your flight. It's also made with 600-denier Oxford fabric for durability and longevity of use, and a removable fleece travel bed. (Note that it's available in two sizes, and we recommend the smaller one for your flight – depending on the airline, of course.)

Promising review: "Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Smaller than expected but works well. It’s well made and I like that it has a small zipper on the side that you can use to slide your hand in and pet."  —MaureenMarlborough

Get it from Wayfair for $33.99+ (originally $35.99+; available in two sizes).

When you want to strut into the airport with some Parisian flair that doesn't sacrifice function for style, then snag this Amazon hidden gem that looks like just a designer bag. It might not be Hermès-made, but it is a pretty chic little carrier that adheres to most airline flight requirements for in-cabin pets. There are several colors in faux leather to choose from — even an imitation crocodile pattern — and each bag comes with a color coordinated leash, mesh sides and a removable base pad. 

This is truly a bag only meant for petite Chihuahuas or similar tiny pups, since the carrier is light weight and designed to only hold up to 8 pounds. 

Promising review: "6 pound Pomeranian fits well! I got this purse for my new Pomeranian puppy. It’s probably one of my favorite purchases for my pup. The bottom pad to hold it open and keep it clean is perfect. She is comfortable inside and it’s easy to take her with me. I wish it had a better outside zipper pocket. It’s not as wide as I’d like. I bought the “grey” purse but it’s definitely a blue grey not a solid grey, but it’s a nice color." —Lokiwan

This deluxe carrier is a part of their Guaranteed On-Board (GOB) program, which truly takes the stress level down in finding the most appropriate and airline approved carrier for your travels. Once you've purchased the bag you need to follow the instructions on the packaging to verify the carrier is within your airline's specifications. And if your pet for some reason is not allowed to board due to the carrier size, then the brand will refund you and your pet's travel fee. But be sure to check the instructions carefully, because some restrictions and limitations do apply and the GOB program is only valid for select major airlines or domestic flights in US and Canada. 

The carrier is a frequently reviewed and preferred choice on pet sites and Facebook groups for pet flying. It has three mesh panels for optimal ventilation and a removable machine liner that's washable faux lambswool wrapped around the bottom base. The carrier measures at 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 10.5 inches in height, and it weighs three pounds. 

Promising review: "Great carrier! Very well ventilated with enough viewing scope for the pet inside which was critical in our case as my dog is not comfortable at all in enclosed spaces. The flexible frame is very important coz even though the Large size carrier exceeds allowable dimensions on most flights, the flexible frame allows to adjust to fit below the plane seat. The look is simple and classy and carrier is pretty light weighted. The chain on top is extremely vital as I could have my dog pop his head out from inside while I carry him or even during the flight to check on him. Not all carriers have this design. I have a 15lb Shih Tzu that fit well in this carrier. "  —JenilP

This is the bag I’ve been eyeing and we'll likely snag for Coconut. It’s one of those options that meets all of the TSA requirements, comes well reviewed and is chic — something you don’t always find when it comes to a functional dog carrier. The Buddy's Best soft-sided carrier has ample mesh paneling on three sides to let you pup sightsee and look around, and keep things well ventilated. And despite the soft sides, it’s designed to be durable enough to keep its shape underneath the seat without collapsing. It can also easily be strapped to the top of any rolling suitcase to free up your shoulders from carrying the extra bag. The durable carrier is designed for dogs up to 24 pounds, and comes with resilient shoulder straps and sturdy handles. There are also several different strap options to go with the camo print design. 

And in case of any spills or accidents, the padding at the bottom is easy to remove, and the waterproof base helps to keep the carrier usable for more than just a one-way flight. It also bears a striking resemblance to this small Roverlund carrier, which retails for $128 right now.  

Promising review: "Great quality, perfect for plane travel. The quality of this carrier is excellent! My pup did his first flight on Thanksgiving; the airport was chaotic, but he felt safe in his carrier. He had plenty of room to turn, nap, and look out on the mesh panels. When we weren’t in motion, I unzipped the top so he could poke his head out and see. The neon orange is great because it’s so bright, and the handles are very sturdy. The strap pad on the crossbody part is comfortable, and the carrier is lightweight. I’d recommend a small blanket to pad the bottom to make it comfier for your pet. This carrier is half the cost of another pet carrier company, and made even better. I flew American Airlines and had no issues firing this under the seat, or checking him on the plane with me." —Amazon customer

Get it from Amazon for $30.55+ (available in two colors).

If you're more of the hiking sort, or coveted Taylor Swift's cat backpack, then check out the PetAmi expandable pet backpack carrier. It's still within most airline pet carrier specifications at 12.5 inches in length, 10.2 inches in width and16.3 inches in height with a weight limit of 18 pounds. The backpack carrier is available in several colors at Target, and even includes a poop bag dispenser (because you are a responsible pet owner) and additional pockets for storage. There's thick padding at the shoulder straps for your comfort and straps that buckle at the waist and chest for secure support. The backpack carrier also has a zipper on the side that provides expandable room for your dog once you're seated for a flight. 

Promising review: "Great carrier for the pups! I really like this for on the go day trips with the pups. The extension allows for more room for either one of them to move around. We have two pups so I think we will be ordering one more!"  —GN Faustino

Get it from Target for $46.99 (originally $51.99).

Your pup can roll into their gate like they have a boarding pass for first class in this 360-degree rotating pet carrier from BEBANG. And no worries about the extra weight on your pet’s weight limit, the chassis and wheels are removable, so no need to go on a treat-diet. The carrier is made with the durable material 600D Oxford material, which is a synthetic textile usually used for tough backpacks and outdoor bags. The material is one of the design elements reviewers mention and like, holding it's durability even if you have a dog that likes to chew on things. 

The dimensions on this fit most airline requirements at 16 inches in length, 12 inches in width and12 inches in height. Travellers who are worried about width specifications can take their bags to cobblers or tailor to see about altering the bag slightly. 

Promising review: "Excellent Travel Carrier. Good product, lightweight but sturdy for cabin travel. The rolling cart was a godsend through airports. Impressed Walmart delivered when they promised." —anonymous

Get it from Walmart for $69.99 (originally $110.99).

It’s important to remember not every airline has the exact same dimension or weight requirements for pet travel. Most airlines require you to make an additional reservation for your dog over the phone, according to Conde Nast Traveler, so be sure to ask for specifications on carriers. Don’t assume you’ll be automatically permitted to add your pup to the flight — it can be dependent on how many pets are already booked in-cabin with other passengers, breed-related restrictions, and the weight of your dog. And definitely don’t assume because you’ve found an airline that allows in-cabin dogs that you can show up the airport without a pet reservation, or a carrier that isn’t going to fit beneath the seat.

Most of the airlines we researched for this article — Delta, Air France, United, KLM, and Lufthansa — require a soft-sided pet carrier that measures roughly 17 inches in length, 11 inches in width and 9.5 inches in height. (Because every airline is slightly different in in its size and weight requirements, you may see a few options on the list ahead that are close but don’t exactly match these dimensions. Always confirm directly with the airline before committing to a carrier.)