Delta Air Lines Pet Travel Policy (2026 Guide)
Delta Air Lines permits small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most domestic and selected international flights. Pets must remain inside an approved carrier under the seat in front for the entire duration of the flight.
Can I fly with a pet on Delta Air Lines? Yes. Delta Air Lines allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin provided the pet and carrier weigh no more than the under-seat allowance kg and fit in a compliant carrier. Larger pets may travel in the cargo hold.
Carrier Sizing & Dimension Mandates
Varies by aircraft; recommended soft kennel 18 × 11 × 11 in (45 × 28 × 28 cm)
Must be waterproof, bite-proof, ventilated on at least 3 sides, and capable of stowing completely under the seat in front of you without compressing your pet.
Rigid plastic or fiberglass with metal bolts and nuts
Wooden crates and plastic side-latches are strictly rejected. The crate must feature 4-sided ventilation, attachable two-compartment food/water dishes accessible from the exterior, and allow the pet to stand fully upright with at least 5 to 7 cm (2–3 in) of ear clearance.
Delta Air Lines Boarding & Flight Regulations
- ✓In-cabin carry-on pets count as the passenger’s single personal carry-on item.
- ✓Minimum pet age is 10 weeks for domestic US flights and 16 weeks for international travel.
- ✓Pets are not permitted in-cabin on flights to the UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, or Hawaii due to local quarantine laws.
- ✓Only one pet per kennel is permitted, with exceptions for female cats/dogs with unweaned litters under 6 months.
- ✓No checked baggage pets accepted; commercial passengers cannot book pets as checked baggage.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) & Restricted Breeds
Due to elevated risks of respiratory failure, heatstroke, and anatomical airway obstruction during flight changes in cabin pressure, airlines maintain strict breed restrictions:
Step-by-Step Booking Checklist for Delta Air Lines
Book your passenger itinerary online or via the Delta app.
Immediately call Delta Reservations (1-800-221-1212) to request pet space; capacity is strictly capped per cabin (usually 2 in First Class, 4 in Main Cabin).
Ensure kennel fits within your specific aircraft seat footprint (A321, B737, A350 have different under-seat clearances).
Pay pet carry-on fee at the airport special assistance check-in counter on travel day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Delta Air Lines
How much does Delta charge for an in-cabin pet?
Delta charges $95 each way for flights within the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and $200 each way for eligible international routes.
Can I buy a seat for my dog on Delta?
No. You cannot buy a passenger seat for a dog. The pet must remain fully enclosed inside an airline-compliant soft carrier under the seat in front of you throughout the flight.
Does Delta fly dogs in the cargo hold?
Delta Cargo Pet First is restricted exclusively to active-duty U.S. military personnel and U.S. State Department Foreign Service officers traveling on official permanent change of station (PCS) orders.
Airport Layover Station
Dedicated pet relief areas at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), Salt Lake City (SLC), Minneapolis (MSP), and Detroit (DTW) post-security.
Check IATA Crate Sizing
Airlines inspect crates at check-in with strict mathematical formulas (Snout-to-tail length + half leg height).
Launch Free Compliance Check→Upload Pet Documents
Upload vaccination records, microchip paperwork, or rabies titer certificates to check if they fulfill destination country laws before paying airline cargo deposits.
Instant OCR Document Scan↓