Delta Pet Policy – Travel the World With Your Pets

It is impossible to leave your pets at home, especially when traveling for many days. Most airlines have rules that passengers must understand to travel with their pets safely. Delta Airlines allow their passengers to carry their pets on the flight.  If passengers wish to travel with their furry companions, they should know Delta pet policy for a comfortable journey.

Bring your pets along with you to travel the world. Some pets can travel in the cabin or can be shipped on cargo, depending on the size of the pet. Let’s discuss the pet policy of Delta Airlines.

Understand Delta Pet Policy

According to delta airlines’ pet policy, passengers can bring their furry friends on the flight. The airline allows pets to travel in the cabin or ship as cargo, depending on the size of the pet. However, pets are not allowed in the checked baggage of the aircraft. Pets are welcome for all cabin class on domestic flights, whereas on international routes, pets are not permitted on delta airlines first-class, business class, and business Elite.

Some of the guidelines for Delta Pet Policy

• Small dogs, cats, and household birds can travel in the cabin with passengers on domestic flights.
• Delta does not accept pets as checked baggage after covid-19 in the aircraft, except for active-duty military personnel and state department foreign service officers.
• On international flights, only cats or dogs are eligible to fly.
• Delta Airlines regulates pet carrier requirements according to the route.
• Service dogs can travel in the cabin with passengers free of cost.
• Larger breed pets can travel as cargo. However, it is not confirmed that the pets will travel on the same flight as their owners.
• Passengers must book in advance, as pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve flight.
• Health certificates may not be asked for pets traveling in cabins on domestic flights, but a health certificate is mandatory for pets shipped as cargo.

Delta in-cabin pet policy

Delta Airlines allows small cats, dogs, or household birds to travel in a cabin with their owners. Although, the pet must fit comfortably in a small-ventilated carrier that can be adjusted under the seat. Before booking, check with Delta for the carrier requirements, as this depends upon the aircraft. Thus, pet carriers will be considered as passengers’ carry-on baggage.

Some of the restrictions for pets in a cabin on Delta

• Pet must be at least 10 weeks old if traveling on a domestic flight within the US.
• If traveling in the European Union, a pet should be 15 weeks old.
• The pet age should be at least 16 weeks if traveling from the US to another country.
• Eligible pets include small dogs, cats, or household birds, within the US (except Hawaii), Canada, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
• A pet should remain inside their carrier at all times, during the flight, at the airport, and boarding area.
• 2 pets can travel in one carrier at one 1 pet charge, with the following conditions
• They are of the same species and size.
• The pet age is between 10 weeks to 6 months old.
• Both can sit comfortably in one carrier.
• In-cabin pets are not allowed to have a seat on particular seats like:
• Emergency exit rows
• No stowage seats
• Delta One/flat beds
• Household birds are only permitted on domestic flights within the US.
• Some pets, except service animals, must travel as cargo for many countries like:
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• United Arab Emirates
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Iceland
• Hong Kong
• Dubai
• Barbados

Dimensions of In-Cabin Pet Carrier on Delta Airlines

The pet carrier size depends on the flight. Thus, contact Delta for details before booking. The airline suggests soft-sided pet carriers with most dimensions not exceeding 18*11*11 inches. The weight of the pet, including the carrier, should not exceed 8 kg.

The pet should be able to stand, move around, and lie down inside the carrier. Therefore, the pet should be small enough to fit in the carrier

Pet carrier fee for in-cabin

Delta Airlines Pet Cargo Policy

Delta cargo is for larger pets who cannot fit in a cabin on the flight. Pet cargo booking for international flights must be made via an IPATA agent. The airline offers cargo to the United States, Canada, Latin America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Highlights of Delta cargo pet policy

• Only live pets can travel on Delta cargo routes.
• The United Kingdom allows the transfer of live animals, including cats, dogs, live fish, ferrets, and insects.
• Also, aggressive animals or with dangerous behavior might be denied shipping.
• Some animals are prohibited on Delta cargo, like elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo hunting trophies, and rhinos.
• Some cats and dogs are for research purposes.
• Pets on domestic routes transfer be made from 14 days to 24 hours before departure.
• It is not confirmed that the pet and its owners will travel on the same flight.
• Passenger should drop their pets at least 3 hours before departure for domestic flights and 5 hours before departure for international flights.
• The pet owner must provide a health certificate from a licensed, USDA- accredited vet within 10 days of travel.
• To know the Delta pet cargo fee, passengers must contact the airlines.

Pet Carrier Requirements on Delta Cargo

• The carrier must comply with the USDA and IATA LAR regulations.
• If transporting animals other than dogs or cats, a passenger must provide the animal’s familiar and scientific name.
• Pet carriers with plastic latches, doors, and fasteners are prohibited. Threaded nuts and bolts must connect it.
• The carrier should be open from 3 sides for ventilation on domestic flights. However, international flights should be available from all 4 sides.
• If the carrier has wheels, it should be tapped together or removed.
• Also, carriers with double doors are not allowed.
• Above 300 series carriers or customized exceeding 24 inches in height are not accepted.
• Litter boxes for cats are prohibited.

Trained Service Animals on Flight

Delta Airlines also allows trained service animals on all flights. It considers only dogs as service animals. However, the service dog should be trained to help passengers who have a disability. The airlines allow each passenger with a disability to travel with 2 trained dogs in the cabin for free.

Essential documents

• Fill and submit the US DOT service animal air travel form 48 hours before departure.
• If passengers have booked late, show the form at the check-in or departure gate.
• Also, passengers must submit one more form if the flight exceeds 8 hours- a DOT Relief Attestation Form.

General requirements of the pet

• Pet should be 16 weeks or older.
• Also, it should fit on the floor space within the passenger foot space.
• Always stay with the passenger.
• Also, it does not occupy a seat or other passenger’s foot space.
• The dog’s behavior should be under the passenger’s control.
• Also, the pet should not bark, bite, or growl.
• Never consume food from the tray.

Read More on Official Website of Delta Airlines

Frequently Asked Questions

What size pets can fly on Delta?

Pets traveling in a cabin with their owners should be at most 8 kg in weight, including the carrier weight. However, larger pets must fly as air cargo, as Delta does not allow pets as checked baggage.

 What is Delta’s pet policy?

According to delta airlines’ pet policy, passengers can bring their furry friends on the flight. The airline allows pets to travel in the cabin or ship as cargo, depending on the size of the pet. However, airlines do not permit pets as checked baggage on the aircraft. Pets are welcome for all cabin class on domestic flights, whereas on international routes, pets cannot travel on first-class, business class, and business Elite.

What are the pet carrier requirements for Delta cargo?

Some of the requirements of Delta cargo for pets are:

• Pet carriers with plastic latches, doors, and fasteners are prohibited. Threaded nuts and bolts must connect it.
• The carrier should be open from 3 sides for ventilation on domestic flights. However, international flights should be available from all 4 sides.
• If the carrier has wheels, you should remove them.
• Airlines do not allow carriers with double doors.

What is Delta’s pet policy for checked pets?

After the covid-19, delta airlines are not accepting pets as checked baggage in aircraft. However, military personnel on active transfer orders can ship pets as checked baggage. Pets that cannot travel in a cabin must travel as air cargo on selected aircraft.