Delta Airlines Pet Policy

Delta Airlines Pet Policy | Guide About Pet

For pet owners, leaving their furry companions at home is the hardest thing ever. But there are many restrictions on traveling with pets. Most hotels, malls, and restaurants don’t allow pets. So, they have no choice but to go on vacations alone. But they are constantly worried about how their pets are doing in their absence. What if you get a chance to explore the world with your four-legged friend? Delta Airlines allows travelers to board flights with certain pets. Here’s everything you need to know about flying in a stress-free manner with your pet on a Delta aircraft.

What is the pet travel policy of Delta Airlines?

Delta Airlines allows passengers to fly with certain pets. Depending on their sizes, you can keep your pets in the cabin with you or ship them. Irrespective of your fare type, you can board a domestic flight with your pet as they are allowed in all cabins. On international flights, you cannot take your pet in Business Class, Business Elite, or First-Class cabins. Pets are also not accepted as checked baggage on Delta’s flights. How much will you have to pay as pet fees? What rules do you need to follow? Go through the sections below to get all information on traveling with pets on Delta Airlines. You will also find some FAQs on the pet policy of Delta Airlines to clear your doubts.

Delta Airlines: Major highlights on flying with pets

Here is an overview of the pet policy of Delta Airlines as well as the pet travel rules and restrictions.

• Small cats, household birds, and small dogs can travel in the passenger cabin on most domestic flights. Your pet needs to be small enough to be kept comfortably in a basket/ carrier beneath your front seat.
• Delta does not allow pets to fly as checked baggage – except for State Department FSOs (Foreign Service Officers) and active-duty army men.
• On international flights, only dogs and cats are permitted in the cabin.
• The size of the pet carrier on Delta Airlines is determined based on your route. As a conscious pet owner, make sure your pet isn’t uncomfortable inside the carrier.
• Delta doesn’t charge anything for service dogs. They can travel for free and accompany their owner in the cabin.
• Delta doesn’t allow emotional support animals to travel for free anymore.
• Delta does not accept cat/ dog breeds with snub noses as cargo or checked baggage.
• It is possible to ship large pets as cargo through Delta Cargo. However, the airline doesn’t guarantee the animal will be on the same flight as the passenger.
• You have to reserve in advance as Delta accepts pets on a first come, first serve basis.
• The maximum number of pets that can travel in a single flight is as follows: 2 in first class, 4 pets in the main cabin, and 2 pets in business class. Most flights stick to this number.
• On most domestic flights, health certificate is not mandatory for pets flying in the cabin. But if the animal will be shipped as cargo, you have to provide a health certificate to the airline. The certificate is a declaration that it is safe for your pet to travel by air. The health certificate should be issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of the flight. For international trips, you have to meet the documentation and health requirements of the destination country.

In-cabin pet policy of Delta Airlines: Flying with birds, cats, dogs

Pets in-cabin on Delta Airlines

As per the in-cabin pet policy of Delta Airlines, your household bird, small dog, or small cat can stay in the cabin with you during the flight. The only requirement is that your pet should be small enough to stay relaxingly in a small carrier that fits the space under the front seat. The carrier has to be well-ventilated, and its maximum size depends on the aircraft on which you will travel. So, you should check this matter with Delta Airlines before you plan a trip. The pet carrier will be considered your carry-on thing. So, other than the kennel/ pet carrier, you have permission to bring 1 personal object/ item onboard.

Delta Airlines: travel requirements for your pet flying in the cabin

Here’s an overview of the ‘Pet Travel Policy’ of Delta Airlines:

• Pet Reservations

Call +1-844-933-2065 or the toll-free number of Delta in your city. You should call in advance to make arrangements for a hassle-free flight with your pet.

• Pets Allowed

Within the United States (excluding Hawaii), U.S.V.P, Canada, and Puerto Rico: small cats, dogs, and household birds are allowed.

• Maximum number of pets permitted

The number of pets that can fly in one airplane is as follows:

• International: Business Class, First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One: Zero
• Domestic flights: Delta One, Business Class: 2 pets
• Main Cabin: 4 pets on both international and domestic flights.
• Age Limitations
• If boarding a domestic flight within the US, the minimum age limit for pets is 10 weeks.
• If flying to the EU (European Union), the pet’s age should be at least 15 weeks.
• If the pet is less than 16 weeks old, it won’t be allowed to travel on a Delta flight from the US to a different country.
• Fee for pets traveling in the cabin
• For in-cabin pets, you can pay the per-way fee during check-in. The fees for different regions are as follows:
• From/ to Canada/ U.S. Virgin Islands/ the U.S./ Puerto Rico
• For flight tickets issued after/ on Feb 28, 2022: USD/ CAD 95
• For flight tickets issued prior to Feb 28, 2022: USD/ CAD 125
• From/ to international places: CAD/ USD/ EUR 200
• From/ to Brazil: USD 75

Note: Delta Airlines will charge CAD from you if you exit Canada and EUR if you exit Europe.

Dimensions of pet carrier for carry-on pet animals

• The size of the carrier you will have to take depends on the aircraft/ flight. Hence, you must find out the details from Delta Reservations. However, Delta requests passengers purchase soft-sided carry-on carriers. The maximum dimensions of it should be 18 x 11 x 11 inches, and this size easily fits most planes.
• The weight of the pet (including kennel/ carrier) must not be more than 8 kg/ 18lb. One passenger cannot carry more than 1 pet on a Delta Airlines flight.
• Your pet must not be too big for the kennel/ container as it will cause discomfort. No body part of your pet should touch or protrude from the carrier.
• Make sure your pet can sit/ lie down/ and turn around inside the container/ carrier without facing any trouble.
• You have to keep the kennel under that seat that’s directly in front of your seat. So, it needs to fit that place.

Other points to remember for pet owners

• You must keep the pet inside the carrier at all times – in the lounge, at the boarding zone, and during the journey. This is necessary for its safety and the convenience of other passengers.
• You can carry only 1 pet in 1 container. Exception: If a female dog is flying with its un-weaned babies between 10 weeks and 24 weeks old, the mother dog and the puppies can travel inside the same carrier. There is no restriction on the litter’s number.
• You can take 2 pets in 1 kennel/ container and pat for just 1 pet under the following circumstances:
• Both pets are of the same size and species.
• Both are between 10 weeks and 24 weeks old.
• The space in the carrier is enough to accommodate both pets.

Travel restrictions for pets on Delta Airlines

• DC Restrictions exist for pet travel taking place in high-risk rabies countries. From June 10, 2022, Delta Airlines doesn’t permit dogs to board a flight if they have been to a country (in the past 6 months) where the risk for rabies is high. The airline has extended this restriction till January 2023. Visit the CDC website to learn about it in detail:
• Seating Restrictions:

Carry-on pets will be rejected in-

• Emergency/ bulkhead exit rows
• On B757- 200s, center seats
• Seats that are “no stowage”
• On A330-200s: Rows 30- 35
• On A330-300s: Rows 30- 43
• Flat-bed seats/ Delta One seats
• Regional Restrictions:
• Your pet will not be allowed in the cabin on flights bound for Hawaii.
• You can take household birds only if it is a domestic flight and if you are traveling within the United States. Household birds cannot be carried on domestic flights in places like Puerto Rico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

If you are boarding a flight from/ to any of the following countries, pets (other than service dogs) must travel only as cargo:

• Australia
• Iceland
• Dubai
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• Jamaica
• United Arab Emirates
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Hong Kong
• Barbados
• Dakar

Pet Policy for Checked Pets on Delta Airlines

Delta doesn’t allow passengers to transport pets as checked baggage. However, only US Military personnel flying on active transfer orders can transport pets in the form of checked baggage. If pets are too large, the only option is to transport them on select aircraft as air cargo.

Pet Travel Policy for Military Personnel – taking pets as checked baggage

Active duty FSOs (State Department Forest Service Officers) and U.S. Military personnel and their spouses have permission to carry pet dogs/ cats as checked baggage. If they want Delta Airlines to allow their pets as checked baggage, they must inform them 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight.

1. Pets allowed include:

• Dogs (other than snub-nosed dog breeds) are permitted on international and domestic flights.
• Cats (other than snub-nosed cat breeds) are allowed on international and domestic flights.
• Hamsters, guinea pigs, household birds, and rabbits are accepted only on domestic flights inside the U.S.

2. You have to comply with the updated federal regulations and take care of proper documentation as per prevailing policies and procedures.
3. For military pet travel, the pet fee is as follows:

• From/ to U.S.V.P/ the United States/ Puerto Rico: USD 200
• For international flights (including the Caribbean and Canada): USD/ EUR/ CAD 200
• USD 200 for Brazil

Note:

• Giant-sized crates meant for big dogs must be shipped in the form of cargo.
• Additional restrictions might apply, based on the service class and the aircraft.
• Animals not mentioned above (including reptiles and primates), need to be shipped only as cargo.
• Delta charges pet fees from pet owners each time they check in at an airport.
• Pets are not considered baggage allowance.
• If routes have connections that exceed 6 hours, there can be some exceptions.
• Excess weight or size fees do not apply.

Pet Cargo Policy of Delta Airlines

What is the Pet Cargo Policy of Delta Airlines?

According to the Pet Cargo Policy of Delta Airlines, you can ship larger animals via Delta Cargo as air cargo. Delta Cargo generally flies to Canada/ the United States, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and South America.

These are the key highlights of Delta’s Pet Cargo Policy:

1. Animals accepted

All types of live animals are accepted as cargo, subject to certain restrictions:

• Live animals are permitted on Delta Cargo routes only.
• Cats, live fish, insects, dogs, and ferrets are the live animals you can transport to the United Kingdom. Delta doesn’t accept other animals.
• Delta will allow non-human primates to travel as cargo only when they are shipped between wildlife preserves, rehabilitation centers, and zoological organizations. Private parties are prohibited from shipping such animals. Non-human primates must be completely weaned and have to be at least 2 years old.
• Animals found to engage in dangerous or aggressive behavior may be rejected.
• Transporting DASH-critical animals is not allowed.
• Delta Cargo bans the shipment of specific animals, namely:
• Cats for the purpose of research
• Leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo hunting trophies, and lions

2. Pet shipment on domestic flights

Within the United States of America, the pet shipment can be made between 14 days and 24 days before the flight’ departure date. Note that:

• The airline doesn’t guarantee that the pet’s shipping schedule will be the same as the flight schedule of the passenger.
• Delta Cargo will not allow warm-blooded animals to fly as cargo if the average time duration of the flight exceeds 12 hours. Shipment won’t be possible if the flight segments are more than 2. Between connecting flights, the stopover must be of 2 hours.

3. Age requirements

• 8 weeks is the minimum age limit for cats and dogs, and they must be weaned.
• The age restriction varies from one animal to another. Call 1-855-738-3598 to know the age requirements for other warm-blooded animals.

4. When should you drop your pet animal at Delta Cargo’s location?

• For domestic flights, you should drop off your pet animal at least 3 hours in advance as the check-in is closed 2 hours before the flight’s departure.
• For international travel, drop the pet off 5 hours before the flight timing as check-in stops 4 hours before its scheduled departure.

Pet owners have to pick up their pets from a Delta Cargo location.

5. Temperature Restrictions on Delta Cargo

Delta Cargo accepts cats and dogs for shipment only if the temperature forecast at all locations of the journey (origin, destination, and transfer – remains between -7 degree Celsius and 80 degree Celsius. Pet owners must provide a ‘Certificate of Acclimation’ if the temperature is more than 80 or falls below -7 degree Celsius while the pet is on the ground.

Note: These restrictions in temperature do not apply for chicks, poultry, birds, and cold-blooded animals (such as live seafood and fish) as well as mice/ rats used for research purposes (unless someone is transporting them as personal pets).

6. Additional rules

• For international shipments, using a pet shipper that’s IPATA-approved is recommended by Delta Cargo.
• Snub-nosed cats and dogs as well as hybrids will not be allowed.
• The owner must take the dog/ cat for a check-up and collect a Health Certificate from a USDA-approved and licensed vet. You must acquire the certificate within 10 days of the date of travel. Digitally signed health certificates are accepted.
• Read the booking guide of Delta minutely to make sure you are complying with all the prerequisites.
• If you have any queries, call the customer service of Delta Cargo. The toll-free number is 1-855-738-3598.

Pet Carrier Requirements on Delta Airlines for pets flying as Cargo

The Pet Cargo Policy of Delta Airlines requires the kennel/ carrier/ container to meet certain restrictions:

• The pet carrier should comply with the IATA LAR and USDA regulations.
• The pet carrier must be spacious enough for the pet to stand, sit, die down, and turn around normally.
• Kennels made of welded mesh, wicker, collapsible materials, or cardboard are not allowed.
• For cargo pets, the kennel must have 2 containers to give water and food to the pet. They must be fixed to the carrier’s inside but accessible from the outside.
• The carrier must be labeled properly.
• The kennel door should be of metal and not fiberglass or plastic.
• If there are wheels on the container, they must be removed or taped together.

What paperwork must I submit to fly with my pet on Delta Airlines

Travel documents and health certificates are the two things you will need.

If it is a domestic flight within the US, most flights allow passengers to travel with their pet in the cabin without paperwork or health certificate. But a health certificate is necessary if you plan to ship your pet as cargo. Make sure a licensed veterinarian has issued the certificate, within 10 days from your journey date.

If you will board an international, you have to carry your pet’s vaccination records and other significant travel documents. Make sure to

• Take the original paperwork on the date of travel.
• Attach a tag to the kennel/ carrier along with a phone number and other contact details.
• Write the name of the pet on the side of the kennel/ container.

Travel documents

• Health certificate as per requirements
• Pet passport (if mentioned)
• Highly recommended that the owner attaches copies of the documents to the carrier

To know which documents you should take and the rules you must follow, reach out to the consulates and embassies of the country you will be visiting. You can also check the US regulations and the international regulations online.

Pet Fee on Delta Airlines

Delta’s pet fee (for one-way) that you will pay at the airport’s check-in counter to take your pet in the cabin with you:

• From Canada/ U.S. Virgin Islands/ the U.S.A/ Puerto Rico: CAD/ USD 95 (for tickets booked after/ on Feb 28, 2022; for tickets booked prior to Feb 28, 2022- CAD/ USD 125
• USD/ EUR/ CAD 200 for international flights
• USD 75 for flights from/ to Brazil

To know the Delta Cargo pet fees, you have to call 1-855-738-3598, the customer service number of Delta Cargo.

What to do before departure?

• Give training to your pet for a week to help it get used to being inside its kennel for hours.
• Don’t feed anything to your pet within 2-3 hours of the flight’s departure.
• Take your pet for a short walk before boarding the flight.
• Unless an accomplished vet advises, never try tranquilizing your dog.
• Be at the airport ahead of time and be at the check-in counter.

How to fly with an ESAN (Emotional Support Animal) on Delta Airlines

The ‘Emotional Support Animal Policy’ on Delta Airlines is slightly different.

• Delta doesn’t accept emotional support animals for free. If passengers want to travel with their emotional support animals, they have to make reservations as per the airline’s Pet Travel Policy.
• If you have made a reservation to fly with your emotional support animal before/ on January 11, 2021, you can travel as planned. But the airline isn’t accepting new bookings now.