Just booked our flights to go home to Oregon for Christmas

..we are leaving on the 16th....of course we are taking our new baby, Beckham home to meet his Schnauzer brother Kobe and his other Yorkie sister Chelsea, should be great..I am really nervous to travel with him though...never taken an animal on a plane before.. I have been on DogJaunt already, it is great site...
My question at the moment is ( I am sure I will have more to come)... which carriers have you all used and which carriers do you like the best... and the worst??? Beckham is, I guess, what is called a "teapot"

..he weighs 12 lbs at 5 months...I really want him to be ok during the flights and am worried about his comfort.... thank goodness we are on nonstop flights going to Oregon AND coming back to Kansas...I am reading about all different carriers and getting all confused, there are so many...
I would apreciate any advice you have... thanks!