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 to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Not accepted
Snub-nosed breedsAccepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-08-19
Snub-nosed breeds banned Noverified 2026-10-23
Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-08-26
Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-10-12
Max pets per passenger1verified 2026-07-20
Booking methodcontact Delta Reservationsverified 2026-08-12
Embargoed routesAustraliaBarbadosBrazilColombiaDominican RepublicHawaiiHong KongIcelandJamaicaNew ZealandSouth AfricaUnited KingdomUnited Arab Emiratesverified 2026-10-12
Sedation allowed Noverified 2026-08-12
Sedation needs vet approval Yesverified 2026-08-14
Carrier size46 × 28 × 28 cmverified 2026-10-12
Crate must have/behard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrierverified 2026-10-12

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-12
Cargo: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-12

Health & documents

Health certificate required Noverified 2026-10-23

Service & assistance animals

Esa noteEmotional Support Animals (ESAN) confirmed and approved prior to Jan. 11, 2021, will be allowedverified 2026-07-20
Fee waived Yesverified 2026-08-04
Recognized Yesverified 2026-10-12
Cabin allowed Yesverified 2026-08-16
Forms required
  • DOT Service Animal Air Travel form
verified 2026-10-12
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-10-12
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.
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!
Get YOUR personalized plan for Delta Air Lines →

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.