Can You Fly with Pets on Delta Air Lines?

Yes. Delta Air Lines allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, and both dogs and cats can be shipped via cargo. However, the rules differ significantly depending on how your pet travels, and some destinations are completely off-limits.

The key takeaway: cabin travel is the safest and most practical option for most pet owners, but it's limited to small animals and requires advance booking. Cargo is available for larger pets but involves stricter regulations and higher costs.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee (domestic): $95 (tickets issued before April 8, 2025); $150 (April 8, 2025 onwards)
  • Cabin pet fee (international): $200 USD/CAD/EUR
  • Cabin pet fee (Hawaii): $75 (before April 8, 2025); $200 (April 8, 2025 onwards)
  • Max carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
  • Max combined weight (pet + carrier): 10 kg (22 lbs)
  • Pets per passenger: 1
  • Pets per flight: 4 (first-come, first-served)
  • Advance booking required: 24 hours minimum
  • Minimum pet age: 8 weeks (cabin); 10 weeks (checked baggage)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure

Cabin Travel: The Best Option for Most Pets

If your dog or cat weighs 10 kg (22 lbs) or less and fits in a small soft-sided carrier, cabin travel is your best bet. Your pet stays with you in the main cabin, avoiding the stress and temperature risks of cargo holds.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be:

  • Soft-sided (hard-sided carriers are not permitted in the cabin)
  • Maximum dimensions: 45.7 cm long × 27.9 cm wide × 27.9 cm high
  • Maximum weight (pet + carrier combined): 10 kg
  • Properly ventilated with mesh or breathable panels
  • Lined with absorbent material (pee pads, puppy pads, or absorbent mats)
  • Labeled with "Live Animal" stickers (required by international regulations)

The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Your pet cannot roam the cabin or sit on your lap during flight.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Dogs & Cats

Delta bans the following breeds from cabin travel due to respiratory risks during flight:

Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.

If your pet is on this list, contact Delta directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions; others do not. Do not assume your breed is automatically banned — verify first.

Age & Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old
  • Health certificate: Required, issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted
  • Animals in heat: We're still verifying this — contact Delta Air Lines directly
  • Sedation: Strictly prohibited. IATA regulations forbid sedating pets during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet.

Destination Restrictions

Delta does not allow cabin pets on flights to the following destinations:

If you're flying to any of these destinations, you'll need to explore cargo options or alternative airlines.

Cargo Travel: For Larger Pets

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you're flying to a restricted destination, Delta offers cargo shipping through its dedicated pet transport service.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Absorbent liner inside the crate
  • "Live Animal" labels with orientation arrows on all sides

Temperature Restrictions

Delta will not accept pets for cargo if temperatures exceed:

  • Heat embargo: 26.7°C (80°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.1°C (21°F)

These restrictions apply at both the origin and destination airports. If weather is too extreme, your pet will be refused. Plan cargo travel during mild seasons.

Brachycephalic Breed Ban

Snub-nosed breeds are banned from cargo entirely due to severe respiratory risks. This includes all the breeds listed above for cabin travel.

Booking & Advance Notice

  • Advance booking required: 14 days (336 hours) minimum
  • Booking method: Phone only — 1-800-352-2746
  • Arrival time: Your pet must arrive 6 hours before international departure; 4–6 hours before domestic departure
  • Acceptance cut-off: 4 hours before international flights; 2.5 hours before domestic flights

Health & Age Requirements

  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old
  • Health certificate: Required, issued within 10 days of departure
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted
  • Sedation: Prohibited

Checked Baggage: Limited Availability

We're still verifying whether Delta allows pets in checked baggage. Contact Delta directly to confirm current policy. If available, expect:

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate: Required
  • Temperature restrictions: Heat embargo 29.4°C (85°F); cold embargo -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Carrier requirements: Ventilation, water bowl, absorbent liner, and "Live Animal" labels required

Health Certificate & Documentation

A veterinary health certificate is mandatory for all pet travel on Delta. This is not optional.

  • Issued by: A licensed veterinarian
  • Valid for: 10 days before departure
  • What it covers: Confirms your pet is healthy, vaccinated (if required), and fit to fly
  • When to get it: As close to your departure date as possible, but no more than 10 days before

For international travel, check destination-specific requirements. Some countries require additional permits or government-endorsed certificates. See our pet travel documents checklist for details.

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

  • ☐ Check your pet's breed: If your dog or cat is on the brachycephalic list, call Delta at 1-800-352-2746 before booking to confirm eligibility.
  • ☐ Verify your destination: Confirm your destination is not on Delta's cabin pet embargo list. If it is, explore cargo or alternative airlines.
  • ☐ Schedule a vet visit: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure. Do not travel without one.
  • ☐ Book your pet in advance: Cabin pets require 24 hours' notice; cargo requires 14 days. Book early — only 4 cabin pets per flight.
  • ☐ Get the right carrier: For cabin: soft-sided, max 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm, max 10 kg total. For cargo: hard-sided IATA-compliant crate.
  • ☐ Prepare the carrier: Add absorbent liner, ensure ventilation, attach "Live Animal" labels.
  • ☐ Arrive early: Domestic: 4–6 hours before departure. International: 6 hours before departure.
  • ☐ Bring documentation: Health certificate, booking confirmation, and any destination-specific permits.
  • ☐ Do NOT sedate your pet: Sedation is prohibited by IATA and Delta regulations.

Costs: What to Budget

Pet fees on Delta vary by route and ticket issue date:

  • Domestic cabin: $95 (before April 8, 2025); $150 (April 8, 2025 onwards)
  • International cabin: $200 USD/CAD/EUR
  • Hawaii cabin: $75 (before April 8, 2025); $200 (April 8, 2025 onwards)
  • Cargo: Pricing not published — contact Delta at 1-800-352-2746 for a quote

Cargo is typically more expensive than cabin travel. Budget for a health certificate ($50–$150) and a suitable carrier if you don't already own one.

Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals

We're still verifying Delta's specific policy for service animals and emotional support animals. Contact Delta directly for current requirements and documentation needed.

Final Tips

  • Book early: Only 4 cabin pets are allowed per flight on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't wait until the last minute.
  • Call ahead: If you have any questions about your specific pet, breed, or destination, call Delta at 1-800-352-2746 before booking.
  • Prepare your pet: Take your pet on short car rides to acclimate them to being in a carrier. Anxious pets are harder to travel with.
  • Avoid peak travel: Flying during off-peak times increases the chance your pet will be accepted if the flight is full.
  • Consider alternatives: If your destination is embargoed or your breed is restricted, explore United Airlines, American Airlines, or Southwest Airlines to compare policies.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you have everything in place before your flight.

This guide is based on verified data from Delta Air Lines' official pet travel policy (last updated April 10, 2026). Policies change frequently. Always confirm directly with Delta at 1-800-352-2746 or visit delta.com/pet-travel before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 09, 2026