Delta Airlines Pet Travel Policy

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By Elena Porter
Updated June 27, 2024 3:35 AM EST

Whether you're a dog person or a cat person, Delta Airlines extends a warm welcome to pets. With their pet-friendly policy, your furry friend can join you on your journey with comfort and care assured. Read on to learn all about Delta Airlines' pet travel services, from in-cabin to cargo options and associated fees.

What is Delta Airlines Pet Policy?

Here's what you need to know about Delta Airlines' pet travel policy:

• Delta Airlines allows small cats, dogs, and household birds as carry-on pets in the cabin, given they follow certain guidelines.
• This policy includes specific requirements, such as pet age restrictions, carrier dimensions, and other rules for safe travel.
• Larger pets or other animals must be transported via Delta's pet cargo service. This service accommodates a variety of species with a few exceptions.
• Pets must always stay in their kennel while in the airport and onboard the aircraft.

Delta Airlines in Cabin Pet Policy

Delta Airlines' pet policy allows passengers to bring small cats, dogs, and house birds to travel in the cabin for a one-way fee. Pets must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel and have enough space to move around without touching or sticking out from the sides.

Pet Age Requirements

• Pets must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel within the United States.
• When traveling to the U.S. from another country, your pet must be at least 16 weeks old.
• Delta pet travel to countries within the European Union requires pets to be at least 15 weeks old.

Delta Airlines Pet Carrier Requirement

• The kennel must be soft-sided, leak-proof, and fit comfortably under the seat directly in front of you during the flight.
• The kennel should have ventilation openings on at least three sides for domestic travel and four sides for international travel.

Delta Pet Carrier Dimensions

The carry-on Delta pet carrier dimensions depend on the measurements of your aircraft, as under-seat space varies.

FlyO Tip: Opt for a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18x11x11 as it fits well in most aircraft types.

Pet Carrier Limitations

Delta's pet policy usually allows only one pet per kennel with these exceptions:

• A female cat/dog may travel with her un-weaned litter (8 weeks to 6 months old) with no limit as long as they fit safely.
• Two pets of the same breed and size (8 weeks to 6 months old) may share one kennel if they fit comfortably and are compatible. They will be charged as one pet.

Delta Airlines Pet Fee for Travel

Traveling with pets comes with a Delta pet fee, which varies depending on the destination:

Note: CAD will be charged for flights departing Canada, while EUR for flights departing Europe.

Delta Pet Check-in Policy

• Upon arrival at the airport, visit the special service counter to check in with your pet.
• A Delta agent will verify that your pet and kennel meet all travel requirements and collect the necessary documents during check-in.
• After completing check-in and receiving your Delta pet policy cabin tag, proceed through the security checkpoint.
• Once past security, keep your pet in their kennel while at the airport unless they are using a designated relief area.

FlyO Tip: Arrive early at the airport to prepare your pet for travel smoothly, allowing time for check-in and adjusting to the new surroundings.

Delta Pet Travel Exceptions

• Passengers with carry-on pets cannot sit in specific areas for Delta Airlines pet travel. These are- bulkhead seats, emergency exit rows, seats designated as "no stowage," Delta One seats, and some other specific rows.
• Household birds are allowed only on domestic U.S. flights, excluding Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
• Pets are not allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Australia, Barbados, Brazil/Colombia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Iceland, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. This excludes service animals.

Pet Limitations on Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines Pet Cargo

If your pet is too large to fit comfortably in a soft-sided kennel or crate, Delta offers a dedicated service called Delta Cargo for transporting pets.

However, until further notice, Delta pet cargo is only available for active U.S. Military personnel or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSO) who are traveling with active permanent change of station orders. You must provide a copy of the permanent change of station orders to use this service.

How to do Delta Pet Reservations?

To add a pet to your Delta reservation, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Call Delta customer service phone number +1-571-378-7016 and provide your travel and pet details.
2. Confirm your pet meets Delta's travel requirements and check availability.
3. Finalize your reservation, pay the fees, and receive your confirmation.

Conclusion

Delta Airlines' pet travel service provides comprehensive solutions tailored to pets of specific ages and carrier requirements. However, like all airlines, Delta has some limitations on seating, destinations, and the number of pets allowed. For personalized assistance with your pet's travel needs, contact FlyOfinder at +1-571-378-7016 to speak with our dedicated team.

FAQ’s

About the author

Elena Porter

Experiences life to the fullest through travel; Elena Porter has been a travel author at FlyOfinder since 2019. She has extensively explored the best of over ten countries, offering unique skills to guide readers in discovering the most remarkable places in each city. Ensuring to provide the best of each destination and make your travel unforgettable.