Petsfit Expandable Cat Carrier Dog Carriers,Airline Approved Soft-Sided Portable Pet Travel Washable Carrier for Kittens,Puppies,Removable Soft Plush mat and Pockets,Locking Safety Zippers

We have a 16lbs Jack Russel Terrier and fly extensively between the US and Europe and within Europe with our JRT in cabin. We have also used this bag on European train rides. In most cases, cases pet travel for free in Europe as long as they fit in a bag. Most expandable pet carriers have 4 expansion panels, one on each side. While this looks great on paper, the reality is that only one panel can be open during a flight due to space restrictions. The 3 other panels stay closed and take up space inside the bag (and add weight). This bag is one of the few that only has one expansion panel which is all that is really needed. We hesitated quite a bit between the medium size bag (our dog did fit but it was a bit tight) and the large version which quite frankly is palacious for a 16 lbs dog. The dimensions of the large bag are 12X12X19. On its website UNITED states: "The recommended maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Soft-sided pet carriers can exceed these dimensions slightly because they are collapsible and able to fit underneath a seat without blocking the aisle". Most airlines have this approximate language in their policy. Others have stated in their review that in order to fit the large bag under the seat, you will need to remove the 2 rods that provide rigidity to the top side of the bag. If you do that, this bag will fit under a normal airline seat. US airlines go by bag dimensions as opposed to weight. European airlines are more generous in terms of dimensions (as long as the bag fits under the seat) but will theoretically limit cabin access to dogs of 8kg (18lbs) or less including the weight of the bag. From a practical point of view and after many flights, I never had a situation where the ticket agent either measured my bag nor put it on a scale... The only issue when the two top rods are removed is that the top of the bag tends to sag. It is not a real issue as the dog will lie down in his bag anyways. I was considering getting an additional carbon fibre rod (available on Amazon) that I would cut a bit shorter than the original rods to allow some movement from the sides of the bag. I would place it on the side facing me (as opposed to the side under the seat) to keep the sagging of the bag to a minimum. This would be an improvement but it is not a requirement. I find the quality of this bag to be excellent including the zippers. It is also amongst the lightest which is a plus in the unlikely event a ticket agent decided to weigh the bag. Please note that the bag must be opened to slide the top rods from their pockets. My only wish is that the rods could be removed from the outside with the bag closed. This would allow me to keep the rods in place until the last minute when the bag has to be pushed under the seat. At present I keep the rods in and remove them from the bag right before boarding. I have photos taken on a plane with the rods still in place. you can tell that the bag does not fit entirely under the seat. Once the rods are removed, the bag does fit under the seat but does sag a bit but again this is definitely not a showstopper.

The media could not be loaded. This is our Review of the Petsfit Soft-sided Expandable and Foldable Pet CarrierThe Petsfit Expandable Carrier comes in several sizes, I purchases the largest which is 19 x 12 x 12.Will say I love this unit and have not purchased a 2nd one sense we have multiple cats.Heres a youtube vidoe to check out more of the details. I wish I had this before when shopping.https://youtu.be/yWnnLx_zR2UThis unit is also kitty approved. Our guys love it so much, I leave one out all the time for them to use like a bed.Ok here are some of the great benefits1. It folds up very small for storage2. Its easy to put together, zip up the 2 sides and your done3. Its very sturdy and it does allow you to compress it a bitfor air travel4. The expanding side easily zips out and/or up. It has a liner inside that keeps this part from pushing in on the pet when closed, a very handy feature. Plus it helps prevent escapes while setting it up5. The bed liner is very nice, its zips off for cleaning and there is a fold out part that goes into the expanding side6. A convenient tie is inside for clipping onto the pets collars7. The zippers are of very nice quality and zip up with no hassle8. There are 2 different ways to carry, you have the hand straps on each side and a shoulder strap that’s removable and can also be used to secure in your vehicle by placing it behind your head rest.9. It’s a very high quality, well designed unit that we highly recommend over the other available on the market.We personally love it and so do our kitties.UPDATE FROM THE REVIEW...I increased my stars from 4 to 5 because the carrier is turning out to be more useful than I could image. Im now using it not only for traveling, which on long rides my kitties are enjoying the ride so much more with the extra room. They are just more comfortable.BUT Im also using it to help our one skiddish kitty adjust more to the outside so when we do have to take him on a trip, its not traumatizing. I take him out on the patio in the carrier and open up the expanded side, he has gone from scared to comfortable and sunning himself thru the tented area. He is so much more relaxed now outside in the this carrier and any other. Normally he would hide in the back, but now he is stretched out and looking around. It really is a great tool to assisting in helping those kitties adjust to different environments.GREAT PRODUCT!