All kennels must follow the requirements below:

The kennel must be constructed of rigid

plastic, wood or metal. The roof must be

solid with no doors or ventilation

openings.

The kennel needs to have ventilation on

three sides for travel within the 50

United States and Puerto Rico. The

kennel must have ventilation on four

sides for travel to and from all other

destinations and for short-nosed

dogs traveling to any destination.

The kennel must be large enough for

your pet to freely sit and stand with its

head erect, turn around and lie down in

a normal position.

Your pet's head or ear tips, whichever is

higher, cannot touch the top of the crate.

If your pet’s kennel does not provide

enough room for your pet to stand and sit, without the head touching the top of the container,

you will need to purchase a larger kennel before your pet can fly. Approved kennels may be

available for sale at some United Cargo

locations, in addition to many pet supply

stores.

United requires an additional three

inches of height clearance when

transporting your pet to and from any

destination outside the U.S. and Puerto

Rico. Short-nosed dogs require a kennel

one size larger.

The kennel door must be made of metal.

Plastic and Fiberglas™ doors, including

side plastic latches, are prohibited

because they are not strong enough to

protect animals during normal handling. 

All kennel hardware must be secure and

in good working condition. A metal nut

and bolt must be secured in each

hole that is in place to connect the

top and bottom of the kennel. Please

note that it’s common for kennels to

have nuts and bolts that are metal and

covered with a plastic coating on the outside, and those are acceptable.

Snap-sided kennels or kennels with plastic side latches will not be accepted, unless you have

drilled additional holes and added metal nuts and bolts to secure the kennel.

Kennels using twist locks to secure the top and bottom halves of the kennel will not be

accepted.

Two dishes (one for food and one for water) must be attached to the inside of the kennel but

also be accessible from the outside of the kennel so they can be filled from outside the kennel

without opening the door.

The door must close securely. In accordance with federal regulations, animals must be

accessible in the event of an emergency.

Regulations require that any wheels must be locked or otherwise rendered inoperable. Kennel

wheels must be either removed or taped to prevent the kennel from rolling in transit.