When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Delta Airlines allow pets on my route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Delta Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Delta Airlines? All your answers related to Delta Airlines pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No (Military on PSC Orders Only)
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Delta Airlines based?
Delta Airlines is based out of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta has a vast network of destinations; however, most layovers in routes that Delta operates will occur in this airport.
What countries does Delta Airlines fly pets to?
Delta Airlines is a pet-friendly commercial airline with a vast network of worldwide destinations. Due to crate restrictions, they specialize in transporting small to mid-sized pet dogs and cats.
Delta Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas. Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia (inbound only), Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Czech Republic, Danmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Breede, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom and United States. See Route Restrictions below.
Delta Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Delta Airline’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required for a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown on Delta Airlines in the cabin
Small cats, dogs and household birds traveling on flights within the United States (excluding Hawaii), Canada, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Reservations
After you have made your reservations, contact Delta customer service at least 48 hours prior to departure to make a reservation for your pet.
Age restrictions
Pets must be at least 10 weeks old to travel in the cabin within the United States. If entering or leaving the United States on an international flight, they must be at least 16 weeks of age. If flying to the European Union, they must be at least 15 weeks of age.
Pet carrier requirements
Carrier dimensions will depend on the type of aircraft serving the route. Average maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” will likely fit on any Delta aircraft.
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 sides (international)
One pet per carrier is permitted. Exceptions: unweaned litter between 6 months of age flying with their mother or 2 pets between 8 weeks and 6 months of the same breed and size known to each other. Both pets must fit comfortably in the carrier.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms Required
A health certificate is not required for travel within the United States. For international travel, a health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all other permits and forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Aircraft Restrictions
Pets are not permitted in International Business Class, International Delta One, or Delta Select on any flights. Pets are also not permitted on flights with There may be certain domestic flights where this restriction applies.
Maximum number of pets in Economy Class on any airline is four.
A total of two pets per flight are allowed in International or Domestic (US) First Class, Domestic (US) Delta One or (US) Domestic Business Class.
Route restrictions
Delta will not transport pets in the cabin to or from the following destinations: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Dakar, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.
Pets are not permitted on flights to Hawaii, even in the cargo hold. Pets are not permitted on flights originating from Brazil or Colombia.
Check in
When arriving at the airport, you will need to visit the Special Service Counter to check-in with your pet. After inspection, you will be issued a special pet tag for the carrier. Then you will proceed to the security check point where you will need to remove your pet from its carrier. The carrier will pass though the x-ray machine and you will either lead or carry your pet through the scanner. After clearing security, you will need to return your pet to its carrier.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost (one-way)
US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands: $95.00
International: $200
Brazil: $75
Service dog pet policy
Service dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin with their disabled passenger without charge. Passengers should provide notice to the airline at least 48 hours in advance. One or two Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted to Delta Airlines.
Service dogs must be fully vaccinated for rabies and wait for 30 days before flying. They must meet all requirements of their destination country including transit permits for countries that require those. If transiting the European Union, they must meet those requirements as well.
They must be able to sit at their passenger’s feet and not interfere with cabin operations or other passengers. If your service dog is large, check with Delta Airlines about purchasing an extra seat to accommodate your dog’s size.
Service dogs must not display any type of aggressive behavior at any time.
As of July 10, 2024, no Pitbull breeds will be accepted as service or support dogs. Additionally, only one service dog will be permitted per passenger.
Delta is no longer accepting bookings for emotional support animals.
Related: Flying with a service dog
Delta Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will normally be transported as checked baggage if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
However, Delta is currently only allowing the transport of pets for active U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Offices (FSO) traveling with active permanent change of station orders as checked baggage. Military and State Department personnel should contact Delta customer service to make a booking.
Delta Airlines Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal.
Delta Cargo serves United States, South America, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Canada, Australia, Asia and Africa. All international transports must be booked through an IPATA agent. If you are traveling internationally with Delta Cargo, we can help find you an agent to book your pet’s transport. Email us at info@pettraveltransport.com with details or complete this simple form for a free quote for transporting your pet.
Pets allowed as air cargo
Delta Airlines flies all sorts of healthy animals as air cargo: cats, dogs, birds, zoo animals, reptiles, rabbits, sugar gliders, chinchillas and more (no horned animals accepted). Delta Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive animals, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.
All pets must be flown in containers compliant with regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Reservations
All bookings must be made with agents belonging to the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. If you need assistance with either domestic or international pet travel, we can assist you.
Age requirements
Pets must be at least 12 weeks of age to fly as air cargo on Delta Airlines. They must be fully vaccinated for rabies and completed a 30-day wait before departure.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy
Pet crate requirements
Delta Cargo will not accept any crates over 24 inches (61 cm) in height with the exception of Service Animals (when they cannot fly in-cabin) and military bookings.
Delta will permit 2 dogs or cats of the same size and species to fly in the same crate as long as they are under 6 months of age and do not weigh more than 20 pounds each. There must be adequate room in the crate for both animals.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Route or aircraft restrictions
Delta policy limits all live animal shipments to one connection during the routing. All transports should be direct or with a maximum of one layover.
Temperature Restrictions
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Delta Airlines will not permit the transport of live animals when temperatures at any point of the itinerary exceed the following temperatures anywhere on the route including origin, layover and destination airports:
- 80°F (27°C) Maximum for live animal shipments
- 20°F (-7°C) Minimum for live animal shipments (acclimation certificate required)
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets. Consider an airline acclimation certificate for dogs and cats that are accustomed to cooler temperatures.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Delta Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Delta requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
More Information: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Breeds Banned by Delta Airlines
Delta will not ship the following dog breeds or any crosses with a short snout as checked baggage or cargo:
Snub Nosed (Brachycephalic) Breeds (Dogs): Affenpinscher, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier,
American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffin, Bulldog (all breeds), Chow Chow,
Douge de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles), Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso,
Mastiff (all breeds except Great Danes), Pekinese, Pit Bull, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tibetan Spaniel.
Snub Nosed Breeds (Cats): British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian and Scottish Fold
If your dog or cat is one of these breeds (or a mix), then you will need to find another airline or consider ground transport. Find a free quote for ground transport within the United States.
Pet-Friendly Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
Delta Cargo will not accept pets who have been sedated to any degree. No food should be given to your pet within 4-6 hours of transport. Water should always be available.
Delta will no longer transport live animals under their Delta DASH program.
The information published here is a guideline for Delta Airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with Delta Airlines? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Delta Airlines pet policy.
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