Airline pet carriers for dogs and cats

Quick carrier sizes: Vueling and Iberia

**Checked 7 October 2026.** Always re-check your specific flight on the airline’s official site before buying.

Check the airline before buying

There is no universal airline carrier size. Each airline sets its own cabin dimensions, weight limits and hold policy. Aena recommends notifying the airline well in advance because the number of pets accepted can be limited.

Vueling currently publishes a maximum carrier size of 45 × 39 × 21 cm and 10 kg including pet and carrier for animals accepted on board, and does not carry pets in the hold. Iberia publishes 45 × 35 × 25 cm for cabin carriage, with a maximum combined dimension of 105 cm and 8 kg including the carrier. Always re-check your specific airline before purchase.

Cabin carriers

The carrier normally needs to fit under the seat. IATA guidance says the animal should be able to stand, turn and lie naturally. Soft carriers must not lose ventilation when compressed under the seat.

Look for ventilation on several sides, secure closures, a leak-resistant base, absorbent bedding and enough room for natural posture.

Hold containers

Hold travel generally needs a rigid, strong, ventilated container. Iberia requires enough room for the animal to stand naturally, turn around and lie down. IATA Container Requirement 1 uses the animal's body measurements to estimate minimum internal container dimensions.

IATA pet container guidance ↗

Prepare before travel

Introduce the carrier well before the journey. Confirm the pet booking, weigh the pet and carrier together, check microchip and rabies documentation and make sure the destination's requirements are met.

IATA advises against routine sedation or tranquilization for air travel. Medication should only be used under veterinary direction and the airline should be informed.

Travel documents

Aena states that dogs, cats and ferrets travelling within the EU generally need identification, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. Some destinations impose extra requirements.

Aena guidance for travelling with pets ↗

What not to buy blindly

Do not rely only on labels such as “IATA approved” or “airline approved”. IATA does not certify individual commercial carrier brands. Avoid products without clear external dimensions, poor ventilation, weak zips, insufficient internal space or excessive empty weight when the cabin limit includes the carrier.

Ask us before buying

Send Mia-Pets your airline, your pet's weight and dimensions, cabin or hold, and approximate travel date. We can help you check the type of carrier to look for before you buy.

Ask on WhatsApp ↗