Take off with your favourite friend, even if they have fur. Some pets can travel as a carry-on or be shipped as (very special) cargo, depending on their size.
Trained service animals
Service animals are accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability. Delta accepts only trained service animals that are dogs. Customers traveling with a trained service dog(s) must complete the required DOT form(s) available on this page. Delta no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals.
We understand how important it can be to travel with your service dog safely. For more information, please call at 404-209-334 (dial 711 to receive relay services).
A Temporary Suspension was issued by the CDC for dogs from high-risk countries who are entering the U.S.
The CDC has an ongoing temporary ban that prohibits dogs and service animals from high-risk countries to enter the United States. Opens in a new Window Dogs from high risk countries must be healthy and microchipped.
They also need to be at least six months old. Please refer to the CDC's guidelines on importation for dogs who have travelled in high-risk areas.
Guidelines for traveling with your trained service animal
On Delta flights, trained service animals are expected to be seated in the floor space below a customer’s seat or seated in a customer’s lap - they are not permitted to occupy seats.
Trained service animals and their associated items travel for free. The size of the animal must not exceed the “footprint” of the passenger’s seat.
You can purchase a blanket, a kennel or other similar items.
NOTE: Please contact a Complaint Resolution Officer (CRO) if you have any concerns with your service animal at the airport or aboard.These Delta representatives are trained to help passengers with accessibility issues and protect your rights while you travel by plane.
Trained service animals
Only dogs that are specifically trained to aid people with disabilities are considered service animals. Two service animals may be brought along by customers. Service animals that are trained must be well-groomed and free from foul doors.
The U.S. Customer Service Animal Air Travel Form must be submitted by customers. For validation of their flight, customers must submit the U.S.DOT Service Animal Air Travel form attesting to the animal’s behaviour, training, and health.
Delta Air Lines requires that all dogs, including service animals, are current with all vaccinations to protect the public's health. Dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies by Delta Airlines at least 12 weeks (3 months) old. The vaccine will not take effect until 30 days after that.
Customers must submit documentation 48 hours before departure for travel booked through the Accessibility Request Form located at My Trips.
Customers may present the U.S. Travel Form if they book travel less than 48 hours before departure. DOT Service Animal Air Travel form at check-in or departure gate
Customers must submit a Relief Attestation Form for flights lasting 8 hours or longer. This attests that the dog is not able to relieve itself in an aircraft, or can do so in a clean manner.
Inappropriate animal behaviour
We understand how important your animal is to you. We will only refuse transportation of a trained service animal if it engages in disruptive or aggressive behaviour such as:
Growing
Biting
Jumping on customers, flight attendants, or staff
Relaxing in the cabin or gate area
Excessive barking is not a response to distress or a handler's need
Setback tray tables for eating
The U.S. Service Animal Air Travel Form must be completed by all customers who travel with a service dog. The U.S.DOT Service Animal Air Travel form must be submitted 48 hours before your flight to validate the dog's behaviour, training, and health. You may bring the Service Animal Air Travel Form to the departure gate or check-in counter if you have booked a flight less 48 hours before departure. You must submit a DOT Relief Form if your flight is for more than 8 hours.
You should choose a seat that allows for the animal if you are traveling with a trained service. Service animals that are trained must not be seated on the floor below a seat or on a customer's lap. Customers or animals are not permitted to use seats.
We may have to re-accommodate customers who have multiple service animals or larger trained service dogs. If the animal is too close to other customers or extends into aisles it could be considered a violation of FAA regulations.
Pre-boarding can be arranged to allow you additional time to board the aircraft. You should arrive on time at the gate to meet with the gate agents before you depart.
Remember that certain locations, such as Hawaii, U.K., and other island countries, may have additional requirements, quarantine law may not allow the entry or transit. Call us at (404-209-3434) or visit the consulate of the local government to find out the requirements for transit points and your destination.
Customers who travel with a service animal trained may not be allowed to bring their pet along.
Pets that can be carried on
Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee, collected at check-in. They must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Please review these requirements for small pets flying as a carry-on to ensure a happy, safe and healthy flight.
Domestic travel requires that your pet be at least 10 weeks of age
If your pet is traveling to the U.S.A from another country, it must be at least 16 weeks old.
With the exception of these, one pet is allowed per kennel.
If the litter is between 10 and 6 months old, one female cat/dog can travel with her litter.
There is no limit to the number of litter animals
Two pets of the same breed or size may travel in one kennel provided they are compatible and small enough to fit into the same kennel.
Your one item of carry-on luggage will be the pet in the cabin kennel. You can bring one personal item along with the kennel.
Carry-On Kennel Requirements
Your pet must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements:
You should be small enough to fit comfortably into a kennel, without touching the sides or protruding beyond the walls.
The kennel should fit under the seat in front of you
For international travel, the soft- and hard-sided kennels should be leak-proof with ventilation openings on three sides.
Your flight determines the maximum carry-on kennel dimensions. Because of the differences in space under seats, we recommend that you use a soft-sided dog kennel measuring 18" x11" x 11, as this will fit most aircraft types.
Your flight determines the maximum dimensions of your carry-on kennel. Please check your flight's instructions. aircraft dimensions To ensure that your kennel is fit for purpose
Before contacting us, we recommend that you measure your pet's kennel.
Your pet must be kept in the kennel with the door locked, while at Delta boarding (during boarding or deplaning), Delta airport lounges and onboard the aircraft.
Enjoy an onboard experience with your pet
Customers with carry-on pets may not sit in the following areas:
Bulkhead seats
An emergency exit row
Seats designated as “no stowage”
Flat-bed seats
Rows 30-35 on the A330-200 aircraft
Rows 30-43 on the A330 -300 aircraft
Centre seats on the B757-200 aircraft
Delta One® seats
Your pet must remain inside their closed/zipped up carrier for the entire flight
Book Your Carry-On
Pets are accepted onPet a first-come, first-serve basis. If your pet meets the above requirements, please contact Delta Reservationsin advance to arrange bringing your pet on board.
For flights operated by our airline partners, please check directly with the operating carrier for their Delta Airline Baggage policies regarding bringing animals in the cabin on international flights.
When contacting us, be sure to have the dimensions of your kennel (length, width, and height) available.
Delta restricts the number of pets allowed per flight to ensure comfort for all customers.
Checking in with your Carry-On Pet
When you arrive at the airport, you will need to head to the Special Service Counter to check-in with your pet. At check-in, a Delta agent will ensure your pet and kennel meet the necessary requirements for your trip and collect the required pet fee. Remember to allow extra time at check-in for us to ensure your pet is ready for take-off!
After you have checked in, and received your cabin pet tag you can go to security. You will need to remove your pet from their kennel at the security checkpoint.
Except for security checks and relief areas, your pet must be kept in the kennel at the airport.
Delta Sky Club(r) Pets
Keep in mind if you visit a Delta Sky Club with your carry-on pet, our Delta Airlines pet policies are the same as if you’re on board the aircraft.
Your pet must stay in its appropriate carrier with the door secured while in the Delta Sky Club for the comfort and safety of your pet and our other Delta Sky Club guests. One of our representatives can assist you in locating a pet relief area, which is available at most airports to travelers with pets and trained service animals .
Shipping your pet
If your pet doesn’t fit in a carrier in the seat in front of you, you can ship your pet with our special shipping service Delta Cargo, opens in a new window . Remember, special exceptions apply for passengers traveling with service animals and U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Offices
Delta Cargo temporarily suspends all PET shipments until further notice due to changes in flight schedules as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All live animals that are transported in cargo with the PET product code within the domestic and international networks will be subject to the embargo. Customers whose businesses are affected will be proactively notified.
Delta Cargo - Ship Your Pet
Our specialized shipping service Delta Cargo provides safe, reliable, year-round transportation, with service to address the needs of all pets that are shipped without their owners. Review the following before booking:
You will need to make a separate booking for each flight. Additional fees and charges could apply
A pet being shipped domestically via Delta Cargo cannot be booked before 14 days before departure
Pets cannot be guaranteed to be shipped on the same flight as the customer or according to their flight schedule.
To ship a pet, you must drop it off at a Delta Cargo location at least 3 hours before departure at a separate location from passenger check in.
You can also pick up your pet at a Delta Cargo. This opens in a new window.
Delta Cargo accepts only international pet shipments from well-respected shipping companies. International customers must use a shipper. This opens in a new window approved by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. The shipper would then require customers to accept the shipping procedure.
You must have a good health.
Understanding the Risks
Animals can experience stress when being transported by cargo. Each animal is different and can be exposed to people, unfamiliar places, and movements. This could cause illness, injury or even death.
Talk to your veterinarian about the potential risks associated with air travel while you are obtaining a medical certificate. You should consider your animal's age, medical history, and/or anxiety disorders, as these may be affected by travel.
Age of an animal: Because life expectancy is different between breeds, there's no age limit for air travel. Older animals can be affected by impaired vision, hearing, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, senility, or other medical conditions. Your veterinarian should be consulted about the impact of traveling on older pets and how it affects them.
Breed: Brachycephalic, (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixtures are not allowed on Delta Connection or Delta flights. For a complete list of embargoed cat and dog breeds, see Delta Cargo.
Certificate of Health
For pets being shipped as cargo or checked as baggage, such as those with the U.S. U.S. State Department Foreign Service Office member or Military. The U.S. veterinarian. Department of Agriculture opens in a new tab. The Department of Agriculture in your destination state might also provide more information.
A health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the transport. It must contain:
Name and address of the shipper
Animals are assigned tags or tattoos
Age of the animal being shipped. USDA regulations require that animals are at least 8 weeks-old (10 weeks to transport in a cabin), fully weaned before they travel domestically, at minimum 16 weeks before traveling to the U.S.A from other countries, and at most 15 weeks for European travel.
Statement that the animal's health is good. If the shipper is aware that the pet is pregnant it must be noted on the health certificates.
When applicable, list of inoculations that were administered
Signature of the veterinarian
Date of the certificate
Live Animal Checklist/Confirmation of Feeding
You will need to fill out a checklist for live animals when you check in your pet. This checklist will confirm that your pet was given food and water within four hours of checking in. You must provide 24-hour watering and feeding instructions on the checklist. You must also provide food if in-transit feeding is required.
Tranquilizers
It is not possible to use pet tranquilizers in high altitudes. You must obtain written permission from your veterinarian before you attempt to sedate your pet. The information must be attached with the crate. It is against the law to sedate household pets such as cats and dogs. Delta agents are not allowed to administer any medication.
Weather requirements
To keep your pet safe, we observe seasonal restrictions on pet travel. For your pet’s safety, we don’t ship pets during extreme weather. This includes if the temperature exceeds 80ËF (27ËC) or if the temperature falls below 20ËF (-7ËC) while the animal is on the ground at any point in the routing. A Certificate of Acclimation is required when temperatures fall between 20ËF (-7ËC) and 45ËF (7ËC).
International Pet Travel
If you’re traveling internationally with your pet, be prepared by knowing the strict regulations governing international pet travel. Remember to make arrangements in advance and note that Delta and Delta Cargo have a temporary embargo on all pet shipments effective until further notice.
The embargo applies to all live, household animals (small dogs, cats and household birds) transported in the cargo hold underneath the aircraft throughout the domestic and international network. Exceptions apply for customers traveling with service animals and those in the U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Offices .
These steps will help you be prepared before you travel.
To determine the pet travel regulations for your destination country, contact the consulate or embassy.
All documentation (such as medical certificates and documentation), regarding your pet's trip are required
For more information, contact your veterinarian.
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APHIS has information about international export regulations for animals. Opens in a new window
Be aware that there may be additional charges and fees
The pet owner or shipper will be responsible for any additional charges such as customs clearance fees, terminal handling fees, veterinarian services, and/or storage fees. These fees are added to shipping rates.
Before your p is released, all fees and charges must first be paid in full
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Domestic travel with litter is allowed by Delta Airlines. The litter can be used by any number of animals.
Yes. An additional personal item can be brought along with one pet kennel. Your flight class will determine the dimensions of your personal item.
Your pet should be at least 10 weeks old to travel within the U.S.A
No. Delta does not accept a checked-pet. Small pets can only be carried on pets. Delta Cargo can ship pets to larger pets.
Pets traveling with bags
These are considered checked baggage They must be kept in kennels of a certain size. It is expected that you check in with your pet at the airport early and then pick them up once the flight has landed.
Crate Requirements
Delta will allow two dogs or cats of the exact same breed and size to fly in the same cage as long as they are less than 6 months old and not more than 20 lbs.
Service and emotional support dogs
Service dogs are allowed to travel free of charge and are exempted from restrictions on crate size. They must be at the feet of the passenger or on their laps during flight. One service dog per person is allowed. Pit Bulls, even when used as service dogs, are not permitted on flights.
You must allow them to fit under your seat with a small, ventilated pet carrier. One pet per kennel is allowed with the following exceptions A female cat/dog can travel with her litter that is less than 10 weeks old.
All United States airports must provide an area designated for animal relief. Delta Air Lines does not provide care, food, supervision, or care for the animals in these areas. However, we can help identify the location and assist customers with getting to the relief area.
A service animal in training is not qualified to ride in a cabin and can't be used in most situations. A service animal in training can travel with a professional trainer on the way to its owner.
