At Delta Airlines, passengers can travel with their pets. However, there are certain rules and restrictions that passengers have to follow to bring their pets inside the cabin. Delta also offers passengers the choice to check in with their pets. The Delta Airlines Pet Policy is comprehensive and covers all aspects of international and domestic pet travel. It has separate guidelines for emotional support animals and military pet travel requirements that we will be exploring in this blog. So, let’s get started.
Delta Airlines Pet Policy for Travel Inside the Cabin
Delta Airlines allows travelers to bring their pets as carry-ons inside the cabin. There are certain rules that travelers have to follow for smoother boarding. Here are the major highlights of Delta Airlines Carry-on Pet Policy.
- Small Dogs, Cats, and household birds are eligible to travel inside the Delta cabin.
- The pet fee will be collected at the check-in counter. Delta Airlines Check-in Policy does not allow web check-in for passengers with pet reservations.
- The carry-on pet must fit inside a soft-sided container. Also, the container should fit beneath the seat in front of the passenger.
- As per the Delta Airlines Baggage Policy, travelers can bring one carry-on and one personal item. So, as per norms, Delta will count pets in the container as one carry-on item.
- Passengers traveling with their carry-on pet cannot sit on flatbeds or Delta One seats. They cannot choose any bulkhead seat, emergency exit seat, and no stowage seat. Therefore, flyers must check the aircraft before reserving a seat with Delta Airlines.
Delta Airlines Carry-on Pet Age Requirements
- The pet traveling inside the cabin should be eight weeks old for travel within the U.S.
- On the other hand, the age of the pet must be 15 weeks for Delta flights to the European Union.
- Additionally, for flights originating in the US to any other country except for the European Union, the pet should be 16 weeks old.
Delta Airlines Pet Carrier Requirments
This Airlines is very strict about the size of the carrier. It suggests that the pet must remain inside the container throughout the journey. Here are a few points that travelers should read to learn the kennel requirements on Delta.
- The pet container must have ventilation from three sides on domestic travel and from four sides on international travel.
- The pet should easily lie, stand, and turn inside the cabin.
- Also, the kennel must be leakproof and soft-sided.
- Delta recommends the maximum size of the container to be 18” x 11” x 11”.
- According to Delta Airlines Pet Policy, one kennel can contain one pet only. However, there are some exceptions.
- Delta permits one cat or dog with their litter. The litter should be between eight weeks to six months years old.
- Two pets of the same breed and small in size can travel inside one kennel. They should also be between eight weeks and six months years old.
- So, if two pets travel inside one cabin, Delta will charge for only one pet.
Delta Airlines Route Restrictions for Pet Travel
Delta Airlines restricts the number of pets inside a cabin. So, travelers must reserve a spot for their pets early. Delta Airlines serves on a first-come-first-serve basis.
| Ticket Class | Total Number of Pets Permitted Inside the Cabin |
| Main Cabin – Domestic and International | 4 |
| International Business Class and Delta One | None |
| International First Class | 2 |
| Domestic Business Class and Delta One | 2 |
| Domestic First Class, including US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Canada | 2 |
| Delta Premium Select | None |
As per Delta Airlines Pet Policy, pets are not allowed to travel as carry-ons inside the cabin to the following destination:
| New Zealand | UAE | United Kingdom |
| Australia | Barbados | Dubai |
| South Africa | Jamaica | Iceland |
| Hawaii | Dakar | Hong Kong |
- However, service animals can fly inside the cabin on Delta flights to South Africa, Hong Kong, or the United Kingdom.
- Delta Airlines Pet Policy prohibits pet travel to Hawaii.
- Also, travelers can bring household birds only on domestic US flights except on flights to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Hawaii.
Delta Airlines Carry-on Pet Fees
Delta Airlines charges a flat fee for bringing pets inside the cabin. The fee varies according to the destination.
| To/From Destination | Pet Fees Each Way |
| International | $200 |
| Brazil | $75 |
| US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands | $125 |
How to Make a Carry-on Pet Reservation on Delta?
Passengers flying on Delta Airlines can also make reservations for their pets. Since it follows a first-come-first-serve policy, travelers need to be quick. They can call the Delta Airlines Reservation Department and ask the executive to make the booking. Flyers need to share the details of their carrier with the Delta staff on the phone.
Travelers should carry the necessary pet travel documents at the time of check-in. At the check-in counter, travelers with pet reservations must arrive early. The agent will check the size of the pet container. Passengers have to pay the pet fees at the check-in counter and the agent will provide a cabin pet tag.
After that, travelers need to move to the security checkpoint, where the security personnel will examine the pet and kennel. After the examination, travelers can move to the boarding zone.
Delta Airlines Pet Cargo Policy
Presently, Delta Airlines does not offer a pet cargo facility globally. The pet cargo facility is only available for US Active Duty Military members or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers traveling with permanent transfer orders.
- Travelers cannot book cargo travel for their 14 days before departure.
- The airline does not take the guarantee to ship the pet on the same flight as the passenger.
- Passenger must check in their pet 4 hours before an international flight. On the other hand, the check-in deadline for domestic flights is 2.5 hours.
- According to Delta Airlines Pet Policy, puppies or kittens of the same litter can travel together inside the container. A single container can have a maximum of three litters. They must not be more than six weeks old. The weight of each pet must not be more than 14 kg.
- Animals weighing more than 14 kg need to be shipped individually.
- Delta Airlines does not accept any snub-nosed dogs or cats in cargo.
- The dogs and cats must be 12 weeks old to travel in Delta Cargo.
- Delta recommends passengers use the container approved by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. It must contain two dishes (one for food and one for water).
Delta Airlines Document Requirements for Cargo Travel
- Delta Airlines requests the owner of the animal to ensure that they are medically fit. They must provide a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
- It must be issued within ten days of travel. For international travel, an international health certificate is necessary.
- Passengers need to provide vaccination details, animal identification, and also the shipping address.
- Also, they need to provide an airway bill based on your booking confirmation and emergency contact number.
Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air travel via cargo from a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within ten days of travel. When traveling internationally, an international health certificate is required, and it must be signed and/or endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within ten days of travel.
Weather Requirements
Delta Airlines’ pet policy also considers temperature and weather variations during travel. It does not allow pets in cargo under extreme weather conditions.
As per the Delta Airlines pet policy for cargo travel, if the temperature rises above 80˚F (27˚C) or falls below 20˚F (-7˚C), then the airline will not transport the pet. The owner of the pet has to submit the Certificate of Acclimation if they want the pet to fly when the temperature is between 20˚F (-7˚C) and 45˚F (7˚C).
Restricted Breeds on Delta Cargo
Delta Airlines does not permit the following breed to travel as cargo regardless of their age and weight.
Dogs
| Mastiff | American Bully | American Pit Bull Terrier |
| Burmese | Pekingese | American Staffordshire Terrier |
| Affenpinscher | Bull Terrier (all breeds) | English Toy Spaniel |
| Boston Terrier | Lhasa Apso | Chow Chow |
| Japanese Chin | King Charles Spaniel | Pit Bull Himalayan |
| Pug (all breeds) | Shih Tzu | Bulldog (all breeds) |
Cats
| British Shorthair | Scottish Fold | Persian |
| Burmese | Exotic Shorthair | Himalayan |
How to Make Cargo Pet Booking?
You have to make a separate cargo booking for your pet apart from your Delta flight reservation.
- You can visit the deltacargo.com to book a slot for your pet.
- You can also call +1-800-352-2746 and reach out to the Delta Cargo agent for pet booking.
- Since, only active military members and FSO can ship their pet with Delta Cargo, they have to provide copy of transfer orders.
- Delta Airlines will provide you with a quote.
- You must visit the Delta cargo bay to drop off your pet.
Delta Military Pet Travel Policy
As discussed above, Delta only approves checking pets for military personnel and foreign service officers. As per the policy, passengers need to book for their pets as checked baggage at least 48 hours before departure.
The crate requirements, health certificates, restricted breeds, and weather criteria are similar to pet travel as cargo.
Animals Acceptable as Checked Baggage
- The airline accepts cats and dogs (except snub-nosed) on all available routes, i.e., international and domestic.
- Delta only accepts household birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits on domestic routes.
Delta Airlines Checked Pet Fee
Delta Airlines charges the following fee for pets as checked baggage. The airlines do not apply overweight and oversized baggage fees.
| To/From Destination | Pet Fees Each Way |
| International/Canada/Caribbean | USD 200/CAD/EUR |
| Brazil | $150 |
| US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands | $200 |
However, Delta Airlines does not permit the pet to be checked as baggage on the following aircraft:
- Boeing 767
- A330-200
- Boeing 757
Also, Delta will not accept the pet as checked baggage if the itinerary contains more than one connection. They are also not acceptable on flights with more than 12 hours duration.
Rules for Trained Service Animals on Delta
Delta provides the privilege of service animals to its disabled passengers. According to Delta Airlines Pet Policy, dogs will be considered as trained service animals who are available for the assistance of the disabled passenger. Qualified travelers can bring service animals inside the cabin if only they follow certain norms.
- Only dogs are acceptable as trained service animals.
- Delta Airlines does not consider emotional support animals as service animals.
- The service animal cannot occupy a seat on the aircraft. They must sit below the seat of the passenger or on their lap.
- As per the Delta Airlines Pet Policy, the size of the animal should not be more than the “footprint” of the passenger’s seat.
- A qualified passenger can bring up to two service animals. The preboarding option is available to the passengers.
- Delta does not allow passengers to bring a domestic pet inside the cabin if they are traveling with a service animal.
- The trained service animal should behave properly and does not cause any discomfort to the fellow passengers. If the airlines finds that animal is growling, barking, biting, jumping, or relieving in cabin, then they will refuse to transport the animal.
Documents Required
Passengers need to fill out the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form.
- If they have made a reservation 48 hours before departure, travelers need to submit the above form by navigating to the Accessibility Service Request Form in Delta Airlines Manage Booking section. It will save the time of the traveler.
- However, if the reservation is made less than 48 hours before departure, passengers have to submit the form at the check-in counter.
- Vaccination certificate, including the rabies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can you bring pets on a Delta flight?
Ans. Yes, you can bring pets on a Delta flight. As per the Delta Airlines Pet Policy, passengers can carry small dogs, cats, and household birds inside the cabin. They have to pay additional charges.
Q. How much fee does Delta charge for carry-on pets?
Ans. Delta Airlines imposes a fee for bringing carry-on pets. The cost depends on the route. On flights to the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands, the fee is $125. For flights to Brazil, passengers will have to pay $75 whereas for other internatinal flights the fee is $200.
Q. Can a dog sit on your lap on a Delta flight?
Ans. Delta Airlines does not allow domestic cats, dogs, or birds to sit on the lap of the passenger. Delta strictly states that the pet animal must remain inside the kennel throughout the journey.
Q. Can I take a 25-pound dog on a Delta flight?
Ans. Delta Airlines permits only small dogs inside the cabin that can easily fit in a kennel. If the dog is heavy, then you can choose to ship it through Delta Cargo.
Q. What should be the size of a dog to fly on Delta?
Ans. Delta Airlines recommends that the size of the container should be 18 x 11 x 11 inches. The size of the dog traveling in the cabin should be such that it can fit inside this container.
Q. What documents do I need for my pet on Delta?
Ans. Delta Airlines requests passengers to provide a pet health certificate issued within ten days of departure. Passengers must submit vaccination proofs and necessary forms required for their destination.
Q. Does Delta demand a health certificate for pets to fly?
Ans. Delta Airlines requests passengers to ensure that their pet is medically fit. The airline demands a health certificate approved by a USDA-accredited veterinarian that is issued within ten days of travel.
Q. Does Delta Airlines have a weight restriction for dogs?
Ans. Dogs on Delta Airlines can fly as long as they can fit inside the kennel. There are no weight restrictions for dogs on Delta. If the dog is larger in size they can be shipped through Delta cargo.
Q. What should be the size of a pet carrier on Delta?
Ans. According to Delta Airlines Pet Policy, the pet carrier should easily fit beneath the seat in front of the passenger. So, the size of the container can vary from one aircraft to another. However, Delta recommends that the pet carrier should be 18 x 11 x 11 inches as it can fit on all Delta aircrafts.
Q. What should be the age of the carry-on pet on Delta?
Ans. The age of the pet should be eight weeks on flights within the US and 15 weeks on flights to the European Union. Moreover, they should be at least 16 weeks old for flights to any other destination.
Q. What is a trained service animal on Delta Airlines?
Ans. Delta Airlines Pet Policy considers only dogs to be trained service animals. Only qualified disabled passengers can travel with a trained service animal on a Delta flight.
Q. Does Delta Airlines accept emotional support animals?
Ans. No. According to Delta Airlines Pet Policy, it does not accept emotional support animals. Passengers can either bring normal small dogs, cats, and household birds, or they can book a reservation for a trained service animal.
Q. What are the rules for trained service animals on Delta?
Ans. A passenger can bring up to two trained service animals on Delta Airlines. They must sit below the seat of the passenger or on their lap. They must behave calmly and not cause any inconvenience to the passengers.
Q. Can I ship the pet through Delta Cargo?
Ans. The pet cargo facility is only available for US Active Duty Military members or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers traveling with permanent transfer orders. It is not available to any other passenger including DeltaSky members.
Q. How many pets does Delta Airlines allow in a cabin?
Ans. Delta Airlines allows two pets in a domestic first class, business class, and Delta One cabin. It accepts four pets in the main cabin on domestic and international flights. The airline does not accept any pets in Delta Premium Select.
Q. What documents does Delta need for trained service animals?
Ans. Delta Airlines requests passengers to complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form and submit it online through the My Trips section. If the booking is made less than 48 hours before the scheduled take-off, they have to submit the form at the check-in counter. They also need to submit any vaccination certificate required at the destination.
Q. Does Delta Airlines accept pets on flights to Hawaii?
Ans. Delta Airlines does not accept pets to travel inside the cabin on flights to Hawaii. They are only accepted as checked baggage. The travelers have to provide health certificates and vaccination proofs that are not older than ten days before departure.
Q. On which routes does Delta prohibit pets as a carry-on?
Ans. Delta Airlines does not accept pets inside the cabin on flights to New Zealand, UAE, United Kingdom, Australia, Barbados, Dubai, South Africa, Jamaica, Iceland, Hawaii, Dakar, and Hong Kong.
Q. How much is the checked pet fee on Delta?
Ans. On Delta Airlines, the one-way fee for checked pets on flights to the US, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, and the Caribbean is 200 USD. On the other hand, for flights to Brazil, travelers will have to pay $150.
Q. Which animals does Deltas accept as checked baggage?
Ans. Delta Airlines accepts cats and dogs (except snub-nosed) on all international and domestic routes. On the other hand, it also accepts household birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits only on domestic routes.
