Traveling with dog in cabin

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to fly from Germany to the New England area (either New York or Boston) and I’m trying to bring my dog with me in the cabin if possible. I’ve been reading airline rules but I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually done this.

My dog is about 52 cm long, around 42 cm high (including his head), and weighs about 8–9 kg. From what I’ve seen, many airlines say the limit is around 8 kg including the carrier, which makes me a bit unsure if it will work.

I have a couple of questions:

First, about the carrier. Is it usually okay if the dog lies down comfortably in the carrier while it’s zipped closed, even if he can’t fully stand up inside it unless the top is open? Or do airlines actually check that the dog can stand up normally while the bag is fully closed?

Second, does anyone have recommendations for a good soft carrier that works for a dog around this size but still fits under the seat?

And finally, which airlines flying from Germany to NYC or Boston tend to be the most realistic about letting dogs in the cabin? I’m especially wondering how strict they are about weight and carrier measurements. For example, do they actually weigh the dog plus the bag at check-in, or is it more about whether the carrier fits under the seat?

If anyone has experience flying transatlantic with a dog around 8–9 kg, I’d love to hear how it went and which airline you used.