I am looking for truly airline approved pet carriers, for in-cabin and/or Cargo Bay?

A soft sided kennel is used in the cabin, a hard sided one is used in cargo. If they say airline approved, then they are. All bags are about the same. Find an airline where he can be in the cabin the whole time, I don't think he'd even be allowed in cargo with a soft-sided, a bag would shift and you'd have a pancake dog. Pay the extra money for convenience and safety of your dog. Also make sure you know all the rules before you fly (vacinnations, vet documents). Your vet can also give you medication for your dog to relax him (a seditave or something). It might be good to have along if the ride becomes long for him.

DID YOU CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE ? MAYBE THEY COULD ADVISE YOU. HOW ABOUT A LOCAL VET? ALSO CHECK WITH THE AIRLINES YOU ARE FLYING ON. RULES FOR PETS ON BOARD VARY AND I BEIEVE THAT DOES IN THE CABIN ARE NOT ALLOWED EXCEPT FOR SEEING EYE DOGS. CHECK GOOGLE OR LIBRARY FOR INFO ON AIRLINE TRAVEL WITH PETS. I UNDERSTAND THE CARGO HOLD IS PRESSURIZED BUT NOT ALTOGETHER HEATED TO A COMFORTABLE TEMP(NOT FREEZING THOUGH}