If you go to Ceuta once a week, make him a EU citizen by getting a Spanish EU pet passport for him there (at any vet or animal clinic). That will make travel within and especially entering the EU a lot easier for him in the future.

Foam pads are OK. Pretty much the only thing you should not use to line the crate on intercontinental travels is straw or other organic material (for biosecurity reasons), but from newspapers to towels anything is accepted.

Basically, it's all a ton of experience. I happen to travel a lot, both for business and pleasure. Also, I try to act as flight companion for animals every time in addition to taking my [service] dog along.