Okay, Delta fans, listen up! Nala and I love that Delta takes dogs right in the cabin with us, no cargo-hold gamble for our smaller adventure buddies. That in-cabin acceptance is the game-changer, and Sam and I plan every Delta trip around it. Get the details dialed and you're set for takeoff. Let's map this out together, because a good adventure starts with a smart booking.
Delta Air Lines's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Delta Air Lines handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedte furry companion. Depending on their size, some pets can travel in the cabin with you. Note: Failure to comply with all pet po verified 2026-07-20 Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yes46 (dial 711 for relay services). Additional fees and charges apply. Exceptions are made for service dogs that can't be accommodated in the cabin. Pets shipped via cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to… verified 2026-07-20 Minimum age 8 weeks …to ensure a safe and healthy flight with a small pet traveling in the cabin: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking required ✓ Yesignated as “no stowage” Flat-bed or Delta One seats Rows 46-51 on the A330-200 aircraft Rows 54-59 on the A330-300 aircraft Center seats on the B757-200 aircraft Booking Your Pet To ensure the comfort of all customers,… verified 2026-07-20 Max pets per passenger 1 Only one (1) kennel per customer may be carried on the aircraft. verified 2026-07-20 Booking method contact Delta Reservations If your pet meets the requirements for traveling in the cabin and you have a reservation, please contact Delta Reservations as soon as possible to book your pet verified 2026-07-20 Cold-weather embargo 50°C …birds normally kept indoors are at risk if the temperature, at any point on the planned itinerary, is below 50F (10C) be below 10F/ -12C At least three hours before departur verified 2026-07-23 Banned destinations ✗ Yesl on Delta Pet Travel on Delta Embark on a journey with your favorite furry companion. Depending on their size, some pets can travel in the cabin with you. Note: Failure to comply with all pet policies and keep your pet… verified 2026-07-20 Embargoed routes Pet In-Cabin Pet Exceptions For any travel to or from the following destinations pets are not permitted in the cabin:… verified 2026-07-20 Sedation allowed ✗ NoTranquilizers & Sedatives The use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted verified 2026-07-20 Season restrictions Summer Restrictions Summer Restrictions - May 15 through September 15 Delta does not accept pets as checked as baggage on Delta and Aeromexico operated flights verified 2026-07-20 Aircraft restrictions ✗ Yeskennel. Please keep in mind that Delta agents cannot administer medication of any kind. Kennel Requirements Kennel Requirements Pets in the Cabin To transport your pet in cabin either soft- or hard-sided kennels must be… verified 2026-07-20 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoDelta will no longer accept live animals as checked baggage in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR). verified 2026-07-20 Sedation needs vet approval ✓ YesIf you plan to sedate your pet, you must have written consent from the pet's veterinarian verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier BACK TO TOP Kennel Requirements To transport a pet in cabin (PETC) either soft- or hard-sided kennels must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least two sides. verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedTranquilizers & Sedatives The use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Accepteda crate/container that complies with the IATA-LAR, your pet must be acclimated to confinement, which is a process that can take weeks to months. Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesBrachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list French Bulldog English Bulldog American Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Animal Breed Restrictions Snub- or Pug-nosed Dogs Snub-nosed Cats American Bulldog American Staffordshire Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Boston Terrier Boxer Brussels Griffin Bulldog* Chinese Pug Chow Chow Dutch Pug… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 15 weeks the European Union, the pet must be at least 15 weeks old verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPets shipped via cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Max pets per flight 1 Your pet and kennel must also adhere to the following requirements: You are allowed to carry 1 pet kennel on the aircraft verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo -7°C if the temperature exceeds 80˚F (27˚C) or falls below 20˚F (-7˚C) while the animal is on the ground at any point during travel. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Season restrictions Summer Restrictions Summer Restrictions - May 15 through September 15 Delta does not accept pets as checked as baggage on Delta and Aeromexico operated flights verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoAnimal Breed Restrictions Animal Breed Restrictions Delta no longer accepts snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats as checked baggage. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier BACK TO TOP Kennel Requirements To transport a pet in cabin (PETC) either soft- or hard-sided kennels must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least two sides verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesl on Delta Pet Travel on Delta Embark on a journey with your favorite furry companion. Depending on their size, some pets can travel in the cabin with you. Note: Failure to comply with all pet policies and keep your pet… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate validity 10 days Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air travel via cargo from a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel. verified 2026-07-20 Microchip · Required ✓ YesAND Customer must have a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form AND Confirmation of reservation with CDC Animal Care Facility AND The dog’s first point of entry in the U.S. is either ATL, LAX,… verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ Yes(to avoid 28-day quarantine period) Dogs from Rabies-free/Low-risk Country, regardless of vaccination status Customer must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt ONLY. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Issuer a USDA-accredited veterinarian When traveling internationally, an international health certificate is required, and it must be signed and/or endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesIf a health certificate is required, it must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport and must include: Shipper's name and address Tag numbers or tattoos assigned to the animal Age of the animal… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ Yes, an international health certificate is required, and it must be signed and/or endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel. verified 2026-07-20 Microchip required · Microchip required ✓ YesAND Customer must have a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form AND Confirmation of reservation with CDC Animal Care Facility AND The dog’s first point of entry in the U.S. is either ATL, LAX,… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesAND Customer must have a Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination form completed by USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the U.S. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 8 weeks ons: One female cat/dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is a minimum of 8 weeks old to 6 months of age. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination required · Rabies vaccination required ✓ YesAND Customer must have a Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination form completed by USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the U.S. verified 2026-06-19 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days If a health certificate is required, it must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport and must include: Shipper's name and address Tag numbers or tattoos assigned to the animal… verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Minimum age 10 weeks e animal being shipped: USDA regulations require animals be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling domestically, at least 16 weeks old before traveling to the U.S.… verified 2026-07-20 Assistance animals accepted ✓ Yesth a disability is not accompanied by a Personal Attendant or based on the assumption that the passenger may require extraordinary assistance from airline employees in meeting the passenger’s needs. C) Accompanying… verified 2026-07-20 Emotional support animals allowed ✓ YesCarriage of Animals No animals (other than service animals, emotional support animals, and animals owned by members of the U.S. military and their families who are traveling on active transfer orders) will be accepted.… verified 2026-07-20 Service & assistance animals Esa note Emotional Support Animals (ESAN) confirmed and approved prior to Jan. 11, 2021, will be allowed Applies to Emotional Support Animals; however, Emotional Support Animals (ESAN) confirmed and approved prior to Jan. 11, 2021, will be allowed. verified 2026-07-20 Fee waived ✓ YesH) Service Animals Delta will accept for transportation, without charge, a service animal required to assist a person with a disability. verified 2026-07-20 Recognized ✓ YesDelta Air Lines International General Rules Page 1 Last Updated June 14, 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS 0001 GENERAL PROVISIONS 0005 DEFINITIONS 0015 ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE OF PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE 0025 REFUSAL TO TRANSPORT… verified 2026-07-20 Cabin allowed ✓ YesThe CDC has specific documentation requirements and recently provided updated requirements that apply to all dogs, including trained service animals (SVAN), Pet in Cabin (PETC), Pet in Hold (AVIH) and dogs handled via… verified 2026-07-25 Esa recognized ✓ Yesshould have been placed at his disposal (in the case of loss). Every complaint must be made in writing and dispatched within the time aforesaid. Where carriage is not "international carriage" as defined in the… verified 2026-07-20 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedaccept specialty baggage items, accept additional carry-on items, accept unaccompanied minors, accept animals in the cabin or as cargo, and permit later check-in times verified 2026-07-20 Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yes46 (dial 711 for relay services). Additional fees and charges apply. Exceptions are made for service dogs that can't be accommodated in the cabin. Pets shipped via cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to… verified 2026-07-20 Minimum age 8 weeks A pet must be at least 8 weeks old for Domestic travel verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking notice 48 hours If a passenger requests a special service at least 48 hours prior to departure, Delta will, to the extent possible, provide the service. verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking required ✓ Yesignated as “no stowage” Flat-bed or Delta One seats Rows 46-51 on the A330-200 aircraft Rows 54-59 on the A330-300 aircraft Center seats on the B757-200 aircraft Booking Your Pet To ensure the comfort of all customers,… verified 2026-07-20 Max pets per passenger 1 Only one (1) kennel per customer may be carried on the aircraft. verified 2026-07-20 Booking method agent the pet's veterinarian. This information must be attached to the kennel. Please keep in mind that Delta agents cannot administer medication of any kind. Kennel Requirements Kennel Requirements Pets in the Cabin To… verified 2026-07-20 Banned destinations ✗ Yesl on Delta Pet Travel on Delta Embark on a journey with your favorite furry companion. Depending on their size, some pets can travel in the cabin with you. Note: Failure to comply with all pet policies and keep your pet… verified 2026-07-20 Embargoed routes Pet In-Cabin Pet Exceptions For any travel to or from the following destinations pets are not permitted in the cabin:… verified 2026-07-20 Sedation allowed ✗ NoTranquilizers & Sedatives The use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted verified 2026-07-20 Season restrictions seasonal Weather Requirements To keep your pet safe, we observe seasonal restrictions on pet travel and do not ship pets during extreme weather . verified 2026-07-20 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoDelta does not accept pets as checked baggage, but will continue to transport allowable pets in aircraft cabins. verified 2026-07-20 Sedation needs vet approval ✓ YesIf you plan to sedate your pet, you must have written consent from the pet's veterinarian verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier y kind. Kennel Requirements Kennel Requirements Pets in the Cabin To transport your pet in cabin either soft- or hard-sided k verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedTranquilizers & Sedatives The use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Accepteda crate/container that complies with the IATA-LAR, your pet must be acclimated to confinement, which is a process that can take weeks to months. Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesBrachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Persian Himalayan Burmese Animal Breed Restrictions Snub- or Pug-nosed Dogs Snub-nosed Cats American Bulldog American Staffordshire Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Boston Terrier Boxer Brussels Griffin Bulldog* Chinese Pug Chow Chow Dutch Pug… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks A pet must be at least 8 weeks old for Domestic travel verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking notice 48 hours If a passenger requests a special service at least 48 hours prior to departure, Delta will, to the extent possible, provide the service. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPets shipped via cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 10°C isit delta.com for rules applicable to cargo shipments. This rule does not apply to the transportation of service animals pursuant to Rule 107. a) Advance Arrangements Required Advance ar verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe use of pet tranquilizers or sedatives at high altitudes is unpredictable and the sedation of household dogs and cats is not permitted. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Season restrictions seasonal Weather Requirements To keep your pet safe, we observe seasonal restrictions on pet travel and do not ship pets during extreme weather . verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoAnimal Breed Restrictions Animal Breed Restrictions Delta no longer accepts snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats as checked baggage. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Sedation needs vet approval ✓ YesIf you plan to sedate your pet, you must have written consent from the pet's veterinarian verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Kennel Requirements Kennel Requirements Pets in the Cabin To transport your pet in cabin either soft- or hard-sided kennels must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least 2 sides. verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesYour pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air travel via cargo from a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate validity 10 days Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air travel via cargo from a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel. verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Minimum age 10 weeks e animal being shipped: USDA regulations require animals be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling domestically, at least 16 weeks old before traveling to the U.S.… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo pets must reach the Delta cargo facility 4 to 6 hours before scheduled domestic departure. Build that full six-hour buffer into the travel day. Arrive early, check in, and complete the handoff without rushing. Review Delta's pet guidelines before calling to arrange the booking. Set the alarm, pack the crate the night before, and treat six hours as the hard minimum.
Delta requires special handling for snub-nosed breeds. Confirm the airline accepts the specific dog before purchasing any ticket. Cargo pets cannot be booked until 14 days before departure, so lock the travel dates first. Call Delta to arrange transport once the window opens. Verify breed acceptance and the cargo booking timeline together to avoid a rejected reservation at the counter.
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Delta Air Lines? Delta Air Lines allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier. Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Delta Air Lines? Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold. How much does it cost to fly a pet on Delta Air Lines? On flights within Metropolitan France, Delta Air Lines charges from 150 USD in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary. How far in advance must I book my pet on Delta Air Lines? Add your pet to the booking at least 6 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Delta prohibits tranquilizers and sedatives for pets in transit. Sedation at high altitude is unpredictable and not permitted for household dogs. Skip the vet-prescribed calming drugs entirely for this flight. Prepare the dog with crate training and exercise instead. Confirm any medication plan against Delta's no-sedation rule before departure, and choose calming methods that do not violate that policy.
Delta's cabin-friendly setup makes trips with Nala genuinely fun, but every route has its own quirks. Sam and I never wing it, we build a personalized plan for each destination and airline combo. Ready for your own adventure? Let Pawgo's plan-builder create a personalized plan for your exact trip, dog, and route. Grab more water than you think, and let's go make some memories!
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
