Delta Airlines Pet Policy — 2026 Guide for In-Cabin & Cargo Travel

Published on August 28, 2025

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Please Note: WorldCare Pet does not coordinate or advise on in-cabin pet travel or reservations. Pet parents are responsible for confirming any in-cabin options directly with their airline for their pets. Our services focus on door-to-door international pet transport, including air cargo logistics and handling.

Delta has paused pet cargo shipping for the general public until further notice. This option is currently limited to active-duty U.S. Military and State Department Foreign Service Officers on PCS orders and their spouse. If you’re relocating with a pet, WorldCare Pet Transport can handle your cargo shipment directly as an IPATA-approved shipper, routing through an airline that still accepts general public pet cargo. Get a custom quote.

If your pet is small enough to fly in-cabin with you, here’s what Delta currently allows.

Quick overview

Dogs traveling to Mexico must have a New World Screwworm (NWS) Inspection Certificate

This must be from a USDA-accredited vet, issued within 5 days of arrival (effective August 3, 2026). Dogs arriving in the U.S. from NWS-affected countries need similar documentation. See our Mexico pet travel guide for details.

In-cabin (small dogs & cats; household birds on U.S. domestic flights only)

• Fees (each way): U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI: $150 (tickets on/after April 8, 2025) or $95 (before); International: $200; Brazil: $200 (on/after April 8, 2025) or $75 (before).
• Space is limited; reserve by calling Delta Reservations.
• On select routes, in-cabin travel outside the U.S. may be permitted if all documentation, health, size/age, and kennel requirements are met. Some destinations do not allow in-cabin pets.

Checked/baggage compartment

• Not available to the general public.
• Eligible only for active U.S. Military or U.S. State Dept. Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and their spouse traveling on active transfer orders; fee is $200 each way for all destinations, including Brazil (tickets issued before April 8, 2025 were $150 to/from Brazil).
• Must be booked at least 48 hours before departure.
• Up to two kennels per flight (giant-sized kennels must ship as cargo).

Cargo (shipping without you)

• Temporarily limited to active U.S. Military/FSO with PCS orders; general-public shipments are paused “until further notice.”
• International cargo requires an IPATA-approved shipper such as WorldCare Pet Transport.

Carrier size (in-cabin)

• Soft-sided carriers recommended up to 18″ × 11″ × 11″; leak-proof, well-ventilated, fits fully under the seat.
• Pets must remain secured inside the carrier at all times.

Destination limits (in-cabin)

• No cabin pets to/from Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and other restricted locations (see full list below).

Brachycephalic breeds

• Not accepted in cargo. In-cabin may be permitted if all size and policy requirements are met.
• No sedation is permitted for cargo travel.

Service animals

• Trained service dogs only; no fee. Submit the DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form.
• Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals by Delta.

For safety, Delta Air Lines closely follows its pet travel policies. Please ensure full compliance; otherwise, your pet’s travel may be denied and future bookings could be affected.

What’s New 

• New World Screwworm (NWS) inspection requirement (effective August 3, 2026): Dogs entering Mexico need an NWS Inspection Certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, issued no more than 5 days before arrival. Dogs entering the U.S. from countries affected by NWS need documentation confirming the dog is free of screwworm or was treated and cleared before departure.
• Carry-on pet fee change (effective April 8, 2025): U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI increase to $150 each way (previously $95 for tickets issued before Apr 8, 2025). Brazil: $200 each way for tickets issued on/after Apr 8, 2025. 
• CDC dog entry rules (effective August 1, 2024): All dogs entering the U.S. must be microchipped, at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, and have a CDC Dog Import Form submission receipt; additional documents vary by travel history and rabies-risk status.

In-Cabin Pets (Dogs & Cats; household birds on U.S. domestic only)

Fee (each way)

• U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI: $150 (tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025) or $95 (issued before April 8, 2025)
• International (other): $200
• Brazil: $200 (tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025) or $75 (issued before April 8, 2025)

Flight limits & seating

• Per-cabin limits: up to 2 pet kennels in Domestic First (no flatbeds); up to 4 in Main Cabin/Comfort; 0 in Business/Delta One/Premium cabins
• No bulkhead, exit rows, “no-stowage” seats, flat-bed/Delta One; plus aircraft-specific row restrictions noted by Delta.

Carrier size & setup

• Soft-sided, leak-proof, ventilated (3 sides domestic / 4 sides international)
• Recommended max 18″ × 11″ × 11″; must fit fully under the seat

Pet age & behavior

• Minimum age: 8 weeks (domestic)
• To the U.S.: dogs 6 months, cats 16 weeks
• To the EU: 15 weeks
• Pet must remain fully inside the carrier at all times

In-cabin destination exceptions (not allowed; cargo required or prohibited):

• Australia
• Barbados
• Brazil/Colombia/Dominican Republic (no pet travel if originating there)
• Hawaii (no pet travel to HI), 
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• United Kingdom
• United Arab Emirates.

Always confirm current airline and government rules as they can change.

Pets as Checked Baggage (Military/FSO Only)

Availability

• Not offered to the general public.
• Eligible only for active U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and their spouse traveling on active transfer orders.
• Must be booked at least 48 hours before departure.
• Up to two kennels per flight (giant-sized kennels must ship as cargo).

Fees (each way)

• $200 within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean, or other international destinations
• Brazil: $200 for tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025 ($150 for tickets issued before that date)
• Fees are charged at each stopover point and are subject to change.

Route restrictions

• Not accepted on itineraries with more than one connection.
• Not accepted on any Delta-operated flight segment longer than 12 hours.
• Cannot be checked through to other airlines, except SkyTeam partners with prior confirmation from Delta Reservations.

Weather limits

• Not accepted if temperatures exceed 80°F or drop below 20°F at any point along the journey.
• A certificate of acclimation is required for 20–45°F.

Crate standards

• Use IATA-approved, hard-sided kennels by size series 100–500.
• Size 700 (giant) is not accepted as checked baggage.

Breed safety

• Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats are not accepted, with no military exception. See Delta Cargo’s accepted animals list for specific breeds.

Policies can vary by carrier and are subject to change.

Shipping Without You (Delta Cargo)

Current status

• Available only to active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) on PCS orders “until further notice.”
• General-public pet shipments are paused.
• A copy of PCS orders is required.

Booking & timing

• Book through Delta Cargo.
• Your pet is not guaranteed to travel on your same flight.
• Earliest booking: 14 days before departure.
• Drop-off at cargo: 4–6 hours before domestic travel; 6 hours before international travel.
• Acceptance cutoffs: 2.5 hours (domestic) / 4 hours (international).
• International shipments must be arranged through an IPATA-approved shipper.

Weather & sedation

• Temperature limits: 80°F high / 20°F low.
• No sedation permitted for cargo travel.
• Brachycephalic dogs/cats (and mixes) are not accepted.

Service Animals

• Only trained service dogs are recognized
• no fee and they don’t count toward carry-on limits.
• Submit the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form before travel.

How to Prepare Your Pet for Delta Flights

• Measure and weigh your pet and carrier to confirm in-cabin fit (recommended max 18″ × 11″ × 11″) and comply with cabin limits.
  
• Reserve early by calling Delta; in-cabin spots are limited.
  
• Gather documents: CDC/USDA APHIS requirements and destination import rules (e.g., the CDC Dog Import Form for U.S. entry). Not sure which documents you need? Your pet relocation counselor can guide you.
• Carrier prep: leak-proof liner, ample ventilation, and crate-training in advance. Do not sedate your pet for air travel.

Day-of-Travel Checklist

• Arrive early and check in at the Special Service Counter with your pet.
• Exercise your pet before arriving at the airport; take a final relief break just before boarding.
• Skip large meals (a small meal is okay about 4 hours before the flight); offer small sips of water.
• Keep your pet fully inside the carrier at all times, in the terminal, lounges, and on board. Ensure everything is set up in the carrier beforehand.

Your Pet Doesn’t Meet Delta’s Requirements? Here’s How WorldCare Pet Transport Can Help

At the moment, Delta only flies pets for active-duty military travel. If you’re a pet parent in the general public, we’ll rework your route and airline choice so your move stays on track. Here’s what we can do:

Route engineering (beyond one airline).
We compare multiple carriers, aircraft types, and hub combinations to find a safe, compliant itinerary—cabin, checked-as-baggage (where allowed), or specialized cargo.

Airline matching & confirmations.
Each airline’s rules differ. We match your pet to carriers that allow their size/breed, confirm lanes in advance, and secure space on pet-friendly flights.

Right-sized kennel & training.
We advise on IATA-compliant kennel sizing (standing, turning, lying comfortably) and share crate-training tips so your pet is calm and ready to fly.

Weather-safe planning.
To avoid heat/cold embargoes, we adjust dates, departure times, and hubs, and, when available, book climate-controlled transfers.

Paperwork & vet timeline.
We map out vaccines, health certificates, and any export/import steps so timing doesn’t disqualify your pet at check-in.

First/last-mile solutions.
Door-to-door ground transport, pet-nanny assistance for in-cabin routes, and vetted handling partners at origin, transit, and arrival.

Live monitoring & updates.
We track flight status and coordinate with airport teams so you get updates while your pet travels.

Important: We don’t sedate pets for air travel (airlines generally prohibit sedation). Instead, we rely on correct kennel fit, conditioning, and routing.

What you can do now

1. Measure your pet and current kennel (length, height, width) and note weight.

2. Gather vaccine records and your preferred travel window.

3. Request a custom plan—we’ll propose safe airline options and routes tailored to your pet.

Ready to move your pet safely to your destination? Get a custom pet relocation plan from our team. Request a Free Quote.

FAQ for Pet Travel on Delta

How much is it to fly with a pet on Delta?

$150 each way within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (tickets issued on/after Apr 8, 2025; $95 if issued earlier); $200 for other international routes; Brazil is $200 on/after Apr 8, 2025 ($75 if issued earlier).

What size carrier fits under the seat?

A soft-sided carrier is recommended, up to 18″ × 11″ × 11″. It must be leak-proof, well-ventilated, fit fully under the seat, and provide enough space for your pet to rest comfortably.

How many pets are allowed per flight/cabin?

Up to two kennels are allowed in Domestic First and up to four in Main Cabin/Comfort. Pets are not permitted in Business, Delta One, or Premium cabins. Please call to reserve.

Are short-nosed breeds allowed?

Not in cargo. In-cabin may be allowed if they meet size/carrier rules and route restrictions. 

Does Delta allow pets as checked baggage?

Delta has paused pet cargo shipping for the general public until further notice. Checked baggage and cargo options are currently limited to active-duty U.S. Military and State Department Foreign Service Officers and their spouses traveling on active transfer orders. The fee is $200 each way for all destinations, including Brazil for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025.

Any routes where cabin pets are not allowed?

Yes, Hawaii, U.K., Australia, New Zealand, UAE, South Africa, and other listed destinations require cargo (or prohibit pet travel).

Looking for more airline pet travel policies? Explore our related guides:

• Alaska Airlines Pet travel Policy: Everything You Need to Know
• American Airlines Pet Policy 2025: What Pet Parents Need to Know
• Which Airlines Ship Cats? A Pet Parent’s Guide to Feline-Friendly Flights (U.S. Edition)