Delta Airlines Pet Policy

Traveling with your pet on Delta Airlines is easy and safe. Pets are allowed in all cabins (First Class, Business and Premium), including Basic Economy cabins. According to the Delta Airline Pet Policy, you can keep your pet in the cabin or carry-on, depending on the size of the animal. Find all the information about flying pets, delta pet fees, pet policies, and some frequently asked questions about pet travel on Delta Air Lines.

 Flying with a pet on Delta

Delta Air Lines recently reduced the cost of pet cargo. For tickets purchased by February 1st. As of December 28, 2022, the cost of flying a pet on Delta is $95 for flights within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. For previously purchased flights, the cost is $125. However, if you are traveling abroad, the cost is slightly different. For all international flights - except to or from Brazil - the price is much higher, at $200. However, flying with a pet on Delta to or from Brazil is only $75.

For Pets in the cabin

Delta Air Lines accepts passengers with small pets (dogs, cats and pet birds) in cabins on select flights in the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Pets are not allowed on flights to Hawaii. To travel indoors, your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat in front of you. Pets must have at least 10 weeks for domestic travel, 16 weeks for travel to the United States from other countries, and 15 weeks for travel within the European Union. Passengers may bring 1 pet per flight, except on US domestic flights where a female cat or female dog may travel with her litter if they are between 10 weeks and 6 months old . There is no limit to the number of animals that litter the sea. The cost of bringing your pet indoors varies depending on your travel plans. Flights to/from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands incur a $95 pet fee, flights outside the United States incur a $200 pet fee; and flights to Brazil incur a $75 pet fee.

For Pets in cargo

Larger animals that cannot be carried indoors or transported separately from their owner may be transported as cargo by Delta Cargo. Pets can be checked in on Delta flights only 14 days prior to departure. Pets are not guaranteed to be carried on the same flight as their owner. Pet shipments need to be dropped off at the Delta Cargo location at least 3 hours prior to departure. 

Carrier Guidelines

For pets traveling in cabins, cabin allowances are determined by your airline. You should contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate lounge size. However, an 18" x 11" x 11" (45cm x 28cm x 28cm) soft carry case is recommended as it will fit most Delta flights. Pets must stay in 'to the carrier in the airport area, at the time of check-in and throughout the duration of each flight. For pets traveling with Delta Cargo, carriers may have one of the following dimensions (provided the pet fits snugly inside): 27" x 20" x 19" (68 cm x 50 cm x 48cm); 32" x 22" x 23" (81cm x 55cm x 58cm); 36" x 24" x 26" (91cm x 61cm x 66cm); 40" x 27" x 30" (101cm x 68cm x 76cm); and 48" x 32" x 35" (122cm x 81cm x 89cm) The lounge must be on a solid surface, have adequate ventilation and at least 3 on the domestic side or 4 on the international flight world, with a solid door, and nuts and bolts fixing the loose parts. The cage should be large enough for the animals to stand, turn and lie down comfortably. Carriers should include food and water bowls placed inside and absorbent material on the floor.

Other restrictions

Delta does not accept brachycephalic breeds including American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Chinese Pug, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Lhasa. Apso, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel (chin), Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel; and cats, such as Birmans, Exotics, Himalayans and Persians.

Pets allowed:

Small cats, dogs and domestic birds travel on flights within the United States (except Hawaii), Canada, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Pets are not allowed in First Class, Business Class or Business Elite on international flights. This restriction may apply to some domestic flights.

Required age:

Pets must be at least 10 weeks old to move into a home in the United States. If you enter the United States on an international flight, they must be at least 16 weeks. If they are traveling in the European Union, they must have at least 15 weeks. 

Route Restrictions:

Delta will not transport domestic pets to or from the following destinations: Australia, Barbados, Dakar, Dubai, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates . Only service animals may travel domestically to or from South Africa, Hong Kong or the United Kingdom. 

Check-In:

You have to enter the garage because animals are not checked at the entrance. Fees will be collected at check-in. Your flight pet will count as carry-on baggage.

Service and Emotional Support Animals

Service animals are allowed to travel with their disabled passengers free of charge inside the cabin. Passengers must have at least 48 hours with the airline. Delta no longer accepts reservations for emotional support animals.

Banned Breeds

Delta will not transport the following dog breeds or short-nosed breeds as checked baggage or baggage:

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds (dogs): Affenpinscher, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Douge de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles), Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds except Great Danes), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tibetan Spaniel.

Other animals

All animals and birds are warm-blooded, including show or show animals. Delta Cargo will not transport dangerous or aggressive animals, unhealthy animals, or domestic animals of restricted areas.