Questions about airlines kennel size

[uglomera]

Hello everybody,

Our black lab Kenji is about to take his first plane trip to the US and back to Europe (Spain). Seems his only choice is to travel as checked baggage. We are looking to purchase an appropriate kennel for him. There are many for sale, but the airline and IATA regulations are a little confusing. We hope to find some guidance here.

Standing up, he measures 90 cm nose-to-butt and 79 cm toe-to-ears. IATA regulations say he has to be able to freely stand up in the kennel. So we are told by the airlines when we call them. However, all sites selling labrador-size kennels (extra large sizes) measure up to 76 cm. The next size (giant) goes up to 90 cm but that just seems excessive, he is not a great dane or a german shepherd.

We are looking for advice on kennel size from people who have flown their labs across the ocean. Airlines considered are United, Delta, American, Lufthansa, Spanair, British Airways, or Air France. Many airlines have different regulations going US->Europe and Europe->US. We have read all the airline information sites, but none are specific about him being too tall (and too cute ).

Thanks!

[kassabella]

A month ago we flew Gemma the border collie from N.Z. to US. I am sorry I can't remeber the exact size, but it had to be bigger than the crate she used at home so went in the big one we used for Tessa and Erns. She would have rattled around in that, but they need to be able to stand up.
From what I understood from air New Zealand the 90cm would be the one to get.

She flew across the states with Continental/United co share. We looked at a lot of the airlines and decided this one the best and have temp control. Continental is one of the few, if only, carrier that has a separate pet tracking system. The rest of them simply tag them like baggage. Some didn't look good at all.

Good luck.

Edited to add airline.