In-depth review
Petmate Sky Kennel Review (2026)
A research-based review of the Petmate Sky Kennel: IATA compliance, assembly, ventilation, and why it is a travel crate, not a home crate.
Petmate Sky Kennel
The airline-approved travel crate.
Our verdict
The Sky Kennel is the travel standard because airlines say so. Buy it if you fly with your dog or want maximum containment for car travel, the IATA-compliant design and steel door are the point. Skip it if you want a daily home crate: the dark interior, two-piece assembly, and bulky storage make it a poor living-room resident compared to any wire crate.
What we like
- Meets IATA/ATA live-animal transport requirements
- Heavy-duty plastic shell with steel wire door
- Ventilation on all four sides
What to watch out for
- Dark interior compared to wire crates
- Bulky to store, does not fold flat
- Two-piece assembly with wing nuts for travel
Who it is for
Owners who fly with their dogs and road-trippers who prioritize containment.
Airline compliance
The Sky Kennel meets the IATA Live Animals Regulations that govern pet cargo travel: rigid plastic shell, ventilation on four sides, a steel wire door with a secure squeeze latch, and food/water dishes attachable inside. This is not marketing, it is the checklist cargo agents use. Wire crates are rejected for cargo. If you fly with your dog in cargo, this or an equivalent compliant kennel is mandatory, not optional.
Assembly and hardware
The two shell halves join with wing nuts and bolts around the perimeter, plus metal side latches. Assembly takes 10 to 15 minutes the first time and the hardware is the security system: for airline travel, the wing nuts must be metal, not plastic, and many owners add zip ties through the door latch holes as the airlines recommend. Keep the assembly tool in the travel kit.
Ventilation and interior
Four-sided vents meet the regulatory minimum and then some, but the interior is undeniably darker than a wire crate. Anxious dogs often prefer this den-like darkness; social dogs that want to see the room do not. The plastic floor is easy to clean and accepts the absorbent pads airlines require.
How it stacks up
Against the MidWest iCrate, the Sky Kennel loses as a home crate on every dimension except containment: darker, bulkier, harder to access, no divider. But the iCrate cannot fly, so the comparison is moot for travelers. Against the Diggs Revol, the Sky Kennel is strictly the travel tool while the Revol is strictly the home tool; owners who do both often own both. Against the Amazon Basics crate, the Sky Kennel costs more and does less at home, but does the one thing the wire crate cannot: get your dog on a plane.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Meets most airline requirements for travel
- Tough plastic shell with a secure steel door
- Good ventilation on all sides
Common complaints
- The plastic can crack if mishandled or dropped
- Bulky to store when not travelling
- Screws and wing nuts are fiddly to assemble
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Sizes
- 21" to 48" lengths
- Compliance
- IATA/ATA airline requirements
- Shell
- Heavy-duty plastic, two-piece
- Door
- Steel wire with squeeze latch
- Ventilation
- Four-sided vents
Also consider
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door
The wire-crate standard every trainer recommends.
- Sizes: 18" to 48" lengths
- Doors: Double door (front + side)
Diggs Revol Collapsible Crate
The premium crate that collapses in one motion.
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L (up to ~32 inch length)
- Collapse: Single-motion flat fold
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
What size Sky Kennel for a 50 lb dog?
The 36 inch Sky Kennel typically fits dogs up to 50 lbs, but airlines measure the dog, not the weight. The dog must stand without touching the roof and turn around freely. When between sizes, size up: cargo agents can and do reject kennels they judge too small.
Do I need to add anything for airline travel?
Airlines require: metal wing nuts (not plastic), food and water dishes attached inside the door, an absorbent pad on the floor, and a live-animal sticker on the kennel. Bring zip ties for the door. Check your specific airline's pet cargo page, requirements vary slightly by carrier.
Can I use it as an everyday crate?
You can, but it is a compromise. The dark interior and single door make daily in-and-out less convenient than a wire crate, and it does not fold flat for storage. Most owners keep the Sky Kennel in the garage for travel and a wire crate in the house.