Booking Delta Airlines Pet Travel

Booking U.S. Domestic vs. International Pet Travel

Domestic pet travel within the United States requires that your pet have a travel kennel and a health certificate within 10 days of travel, at the very least. However, checking your specific destination state's requirements is always a good idea to ensure no issues when your pet arrives.

If your pet travels internationally with Delta Cargo, you must work with an IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) member, like PetRelocation. Regardless, it's important to know the import requirements of moving a pet internationally. Let us know if you need help booking your pet's international travel.

Pets as Carry On

Your pet can travel with you in-cabin for a one-way fee, ranging from $75 USD to USD 200/CAD/EUR depending upon your destination, that will be charged at check-in.

Pets permitted in the cabin include dogs, cats, and household birds. However, household birds are only allowed to travel in the cabin on domestic flights within the US.

The following restrictions apply:

• Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly before you. Your flight determines maximum carry-on kennel dimensions. You must contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate kennel size.
• Your pet must remain inside the kennel (with door secured) in a Delta boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), a Delta airport lounge, and while onboard the aircraft.
• Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel in the US, 16 weeks old if traveling internationally to the US, or 15 weeks old for travel in the EU.
• You may not carry on more than one pet unless you're traveling with a female cat/dog with an un-weaned litter (and the litter is between 10 weeks and 6 months old).
• Your pet in-cabin counts as one piece of carry-on baggage.
• Suppose you're traveling to one of the following locations. In that case, Delta will not accept pets as in-cabin travelers: Australia, Barbados, Dakar, Dubai, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates.

Exception: Two pets of the same type may be allowed in one kennel, for example, two dogs or two cats. They must be small enough to fit in one kennel (provided they are compatible), be of the same breed, and be between 10 weeks and 6 months. They will be charged as one pet.

Also, Delta limits the number of pets per flight to:

Pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Delta at 800-221-1212 to arrange to bring your pet on board.

Pets as Cargo

Delta Cargo addresses the special and delicate needs of shipping live animals worldwide. Delta Cargo offers personalized and safe care for traveling pets through their trained ground handlers, temperature-controlled vans to prevent exposure to extreme temperatures, and kenneling services if a longer layover is required.

Unfortunately, due to health and safety reasons, Delta Cargo no longer accepts dogs and cats that are considered snub-nosed breeds, including mixes. You can check if your pet falls under this list on the Delta Cargo website.

If your pet can travel with Delta Cargo, you must find a travel kennel that meets USDA and IATA regulations. For guidance on finding the right travel kennel for your pet, please visit our pet travel crates page or speak with a PetRelocation consultant. As of March 1, 2019, Delta Airlines will no longer accept travel crates over 24 inches tall. 

Bookings with Delta Cargo must be made within 14 days of departure, and traveling pets must have a minimum two-hour connection to allow time to transfer them to and from each aircraft safely. You can book domestic pet travel using Delta's online booking system or by contacting 1-800-352-2746. As mentioned, if you're booking internationally, you must work with an IPATA member.

PetRelocation is an IPATA member with an account with Delta Cargo, so contact us if you need assistance with your pet's international flight booking.