Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Carrier — 18 × 10.5 × 11 in, Charcoal Ash

Cats get out of carriers. Not through the door — through a zipper they push open with their head while you are looking at the departures board. The Gold Series uses self-locking zippers that cannot be pushed open from the inside. That is the entire reason to pay more for a carrier than for a piece of hand luggage.

This is the fixed-shape Gold Series. It does not expand. If you want the one that opens out for more room once you land, that is the Gold Series Expandable in Deja Blue — same 18 × 10.5 × 11 in footprint and height, so it flies on the same airlines.

The measurements

• 18 in long × 10.5 in wide × 11 in high, exterior. Clears the published under-seat footprint of five of the nine U.S. airlines in our guide: American, Delta, United, Frontier and Allegiant. It does not clear Alaska and Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest or Breeze — Southwest publishes 8.5 inches of height and this bag is 11.
• The interior is slightly smaller than the exterior because of fabric and padding. That is true of every soft carrier, and most listings do not say it.
• Recommended for pets up to 15 lb, and best for pets around 16 in long lying down.
• Weighs 2.9 lb empty, so nearly all of your allowance is your pet.

What it does well

• Premium self-locking zippers. No fragile plastic clasps, and the bag cannot be pushed open from the inside.
• Faux fleece padding over a plywood base insert — it holds its shape under weight instead of sagging onto your pet.
• Large open-air mesh windows on the top and all sides.
• Roll-away fabric privacy cover, for a pet who settles better in the dark.
• Top-loading luggage strap slides over a suitcase handle.
• Zippered mesh pocket for treats, medication and health papers.
• Padded shoulder strap with thick metal connectors, plus a hand carry handle.
• Wipe-down composite nylon with vegan leatherette detailing.
• Name tag holder, leash tether and seat-belt attachments.
• Leak-proof design and materials. Includes a storage pouch.
• Charcoal ash.

Sizing: measure your pet lying down, nose to the base of the tail, and add 2 inches. Then measure standing, floor to the top of the head. Your pet must be able to stand up and turn around inside — that is the rule every airline writes, and the one gate agents actually check.

Before you book: airlines publish their own maximum under-seat dimensions and they are not the same. Compare the measurements above against your airline's published limit before you buy — our airline size guide has all nine side by side.