Delta Airlines Pet Policy 2026: $150 Fee, Cargo Suspended

Delta charges $150 each way to fly with a pet in the cabin on domestic routes — up from $95 before April 8, 2025. International flights cost $200 each way. Dogs, cats, and household birds (birds domestic only) are allowed.

No cargo for civilians. Delta suspended all household pet cargo shipments with no announced end date — the only exception is active-duty military and State Department officers on permanent change of station orders. If your pet doesn't fit in a cabin carrier, Delta can't help you. This guide covers cabin rules, carrier sizes, the booking process, and what actually happens at check-in.

In-Cabin Travel

Delta allows pets in the cabin for $150 each way on domestic flights (U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, USVI). International flights cost $200 each way. The fee increased from $95 on April 8, 2025 — a 58% jump that caught many regular pet travelers off guard.

Your carrier must be leak-proof and fit under the seat in front of you. Delta's consumer site specifies soft-sided carriers, though the travel agent portal (pro.delta.com) states both soft- and hard-sided are accepted. Soft-sided is strongly recommended. Maximum dimensions:

• 18" × 11" × 11" (45 cm × 28 cm × 28 cm)

The carrier needs ventilation on at least 3 sides for domestic flights and 4 sides for international (per delta.com; the travel agent portal says 2 sides minimum).

Delta has no official weight limit. Your pet must fit comfortably inside the carrier without touching or sticking out from the sides. Carrier dimensions are the real constraint — if the carrier fits under the seat and your pet fits in the carrier, you're set.

One pet per passenger. Your carrier counts as one of your allowed carry-on items — travelers report being able to stow another bag in the overhead bin while the carrier sits under the seat.

Per-flight limits by cabin class:

*Exception: Delta's travel agent portal notes that pets ARE accepted in Business and First Class for international travel when the aircraft doesn't have flat-bed seats. No pets in flat-bed cabins, bulkhead seats, exit rows, or Delta One suites.

In-flight rules: Your pet must stay in the carrier for the entire flight. The carrier must stay under the seat in front of you — not on your lap, not on an empty seat. Delta's age minimum is 8 weeks for domestic flights.

Cargo and Checked Pets

Delta has suspended all civilian pet cargo and checked baggage shipments — no end date announced. This embargo has been in effect for years and shows no sign of lifting.

The only exception: active-duty U.S. military or State Department Foreign Service Officers with permanent change of station (PCS) orders. Even military shipments face restrictions — certain international stations (Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Seoul, Tokyo) are embargoed entirely, and aircraft crate compatibility limits which planes can carry pets in cargo.

If your pet is too large for a cabin carrier, Alaska Airlines is one of the few US airlines still offering cargo.

Service Animals

Delta accepts trained service dogs only — no cats, no miniature horses, no emotional support animals (discontinued January 2021). Psychiatric service dogs are accepted.

Service dogs fly free in all cabins, including Delta One and Business Class. You need the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before departure. For flights over 8 hours, you also need the DOT Relief Attestation Form.

Max 2 service dogs per passenger. The dog must be at least 4 months old and fit within the foot space of your assigned seat.

Breed Restrictions

In cabin: None. Delta has no breed restrictions for cabin travel — flat-faced breeds fly in the cabin under the same rules as every other breed.

Cargo: Delta's restricted breed list is one of the longest in the industry. These breeds (and their mixes) are banned from cargo at all times, regardless of age, weight, or temperature:

Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all except Great Dane), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel

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

Since cargo is suspended for civilians, these restrictions only matter for military pet shipments right now. But if Delta reopens cargo, this list will apply.

Required Documents

These are Delta's rules — separate from what your destination may need.

Domestic flights: Delta doesn't ask for a health certificate or vaccination proof for cabin pets. Show up with your pet in an approved carrier and the $150 fee.

International flights: You'll need whatever your destination country requires — typically a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet within 10 days of travel, plus a USDA endorsement for most countries. Delta checks these at the counter.

Returning to the US with a dog (since August 2024): All dogs entering the US need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, an ISO microchip, and must be at least 6 months old. Dogs from CDC high-risk rabies countries face extra requirements and can only enter at 6 airports (ATL, LAX, MIA, JFK, IAD, PHL).

How to Book a Pet on Delta

1. Book your flight first on delta.com or the Delta app.
2. Call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 to add your pet. You cannot add pets online — this is phone only. Have your carrier dimensions (length × width × height) ready.
3. Arrive early. Go to the Special Service Counter at the airport — not the regular check-in kiosks. The $150 fee is collected here, not during booking.
4. Pet spots are first-come, first-served at the airport. Your phone reservation is a placeholder, not a guarantee. If the flight hits its pet limit before you check in, you could be denied even with a reservation.
5. At TSA security: Remove your pet from the carrier, carry them through the metal detector, and send the empty carrier through the X-ray. For cats or nervous pets, ask for a private screening — TSA takes you to a small room instead.

Watch Out

Your phone reservation doesn't lock in your pet's spot. Delta's pet policy is first-come, first-served at the counter. Arrive early — especially during holidays.

Common Mistakes

What Travelers Say

We monitor recent traveler experiences through Reddit, BringFido, and other sources. Here's what keeps coming up.

---

On the fee increase:

"I did not expect them to increase the fee to $150. It's more expensive to take my 7-lb cat on a flight than it is to have my 50-lb carry-on in cargo." — Rachel K., college student

"A nearly 60 percent price increase. That's a $300 extra cost round trip. Enough to make me consider switching airlines." — Mark T., frequent flyer

"After all the changes I still stuck with Delta because they had the lowest pet fee of all the majors. Now that's about to change." — Chris W., business traveler

---

On check-in and enforcement:

"Delta has never given me any trouble. Incredibly nice at Hartsfield in Atlanta. I prefer Delta over American and United for ease." — Melissa R., Yorkie owner, 5 years flying Delta

"The LAX manager said she turns away multiple dogs a day." — Courtney P., nearly denied with 13-lb puppy

"Check-in agents vary with how scrutinizing they are when you have a pet. Most could care less. They don't measure the carrier." — James F., Italian greyhound owner

---

On cargo:

"Delta currently does not put pets of any kind in the cargo hold except for military personnel traveling under PCS orders." — Delta employee, confirmed on Reddit

"I would never put a pet in the cargo hold, especially international. Too many horror stories." — longtime Delta flyer, 182 upvotes

Tips for Flying Delta with Your Pet

Call immediately after booking. Delta limits pets per flight (2 in First, 4 in Main), and spots fill on popular routes. Don't wait — call 800-221-1212 the same day you book.

Atlanta is the easiest airport for pet check-in. Multiple BringFido reviewers and Reddit users single out ATL's Special Service Counter as smooth and pet-friendly. LAX is consistently reported as the strictest — agents there are more likely to scrutinize carrier dimensions.

Soft-sided carriers are the safest bet. Delta's website specifies soft-sided, and they compress to fit under tighter seats. The Sherpa Original Deluxe or similar carriers that fit the 18" × 11" × 11" limit work on every Delta aircraft.

Ask for a private TSA screening with cats. Instead of removing your cat in a busy security line, request a private room. TSA handles the carrier separately while you hold your cat in an enclosed space. Multiple Delta travelers call this essential for anxious cats.

The hidden costs. The $150 fee is just Delta's cut. A carrier runs $30–$80. If you're flying internationally, a vet visit for the health certificate runs $50–$150, plus USDA endorsement fees. Budget the full picture.

International Routes

Delta allows cabin pets on most international flights for $200 each way — but the exception list is long. Pets are not allowed in cabin to or from:

Australia, Barbados, Brazil (originating only), Colombia (originating only), Dominican Republic (originating only), Hawaii (to Hawaii only), Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates

Pets are also banned from Business Class, Delta One, and Delta Premium Select on all international flights. If you're in Main Cabin or Comfort+ on an eligible route, your pet can come.

Delta Connection flights (SkyWest, Endeavor Air) prohibit live animals on all flights outside the U.S. except Canada. If your international itinerary includes a regional connection, your pet may not make it on that leg.

How Delta Compares

Delta's $150 fee ties JetBlue as the most expensive cabin option among these airlines — and it's the only one that requires a phone call to book. The trade-off: Delta's route network is the largest, the carrier dimensions are generous at 18" × 11" × 11", and there's no weight limit. If you fly Delta regularly and your pet fits the carrier, the phone call is worth it. If you're price-sensitive, Frontier at $99 with online booking is hard to beat.

FAQ

Your next step: Call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 right after booking your flight — pet spots are limited and first-come, first-served at the airport.