Many crates marketed as "airline approved" appear acceptable, but most do NOT meet the IATA LAR CR#1 standards required for safe air transport. Double-door designs, weak hardware, and incorrect ventilation are the most common reasons pets get denied at check-in.

Where "Airline Approved" Crates Fail

• Double doors that compromise structural integrity
• Plastic latches or snap closures instead of required metal hardware
• Doors that flex or bow when the pet pushes against them
• Thin plastic walls that deform under cargo handling
• Sizing based on pet weight instead of natural standing height, length, and width
• Ventilation openings that are not nose-proof or paw-proof, increasing escape and injury risk

These crates are designed for short trips and household convenience — not aviation safety.

What a True CR#1-Compliant Crate Must Have

• Rigid, reinforced construction that withstands handling and stacking
• All-metal bolts and hardware securing top and bottom halves
• Single, heavy-duty metal door that will not flex under pressure
• Ventilation on all four sides, meeting required opening sizes:
  
  • Dogs: 1" × 1" maximum
  • Cats: ¾" × ¾" maximum
• Food and water dishes attached to the inside of the door, accessible from outside
• Size determined by the pet's natural standing posture — height, length, and width

These features prevent escape, injury, and structural collapse during air transport.

Bottom Line

"Airline approved" is a marketing term, not a safety standard.
IATA LAR CR#1 is the actual aviation requirement.

If a crate has double doors, plastic hardware, oversized ventilation openings, or weight-based sizing, it can fail airline acceptance — and your pet will not fly.