Flying with a cat or dog on Delta Air Lines
Every rule below is Delta Air Lines's own policy, quoted word for word from its website. It applies only to Delta Air Lines flights. Government entry rules for your destination still apply separately.
Last reviewed 2026-10-13.
Pets in the cabin
Applies only to Delta Air LinesMinimum age, domestic travel
Please review the following requirements to ensure a safe and healthy flight with a small pet traveling in the cabin: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel.
Minimum age, travelling to the U.S. from another country (Delta's own rule)
Your pet dog must be 6 months old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and a pet cat must be at least 16 weeks old.
Kennel size
The maximum in-cabin kennel dimensions are determined by the aircraft dimensions of your flight, as the under-seat space varies by aircraft. Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18" x 11" x 11" since this fits most aircraft types.
Pet fee each way: U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands (tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025)
$150 USD/CAD* for tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025
Pet fee each way: Brazil (tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025)
$200 USD for tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025
Pet fee each way: International
$200 USD/CAD/EUR*
Some destinations don't accept pets in the cabin; check Delta's list before booking.
* Fee footnote
CAD amount will be charged to exit Canada, while EUR amount will be charged to exit Europe. These fees are established by the contract of carriage in effect at the time of ticket issuance.
Pets shipped with Delta Cargo
Applies only to Delta Air LinesWho can ship a pet with Delta Cargo
Until further notice, we are only allowing the shipment of pets for active U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Offices (FSO) traveling with active permanent change of station orders. To make an active U.S. Military or FSO pet booking, please contact the Delta Cargo Customer Service Center at 1-800-352-2746 (dial 711 for relay services). Keep in mind that you will be required to provide a copy of your permanent change of station orders.
Booking window
Pets shipped via cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure.
Health certificate
Your pet must have a health certificate deeming it medically fit for air travel via cargo from a USDA-accredited veterinarian or veterinary authority within 10 days of travel.
Snub-nosed breeds
Breed: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights.
Flights to or from the United Kingdom
Applies only to Delta Air LinesPets
When traveling to or from the United Kingdom, Delta will not accept any live animals as checked or carry-on baggage.
Service Dogs Traveling to London (Heathrow & Gatwick) or Manchester
Applies only to Delta Air LinesService dogs only
Delta will transport service dogs to London (Heathrow & Gatwick) and Manchester with the proper documentation and compliance with U.K. guidelines.
Pre-approval letter
Obtain a pre-approval letter from your destination Animal Reception Center to verify that your service animal has the appropriate documentation, microchip etc.
Trained service animals
Applies only to Delta Air LinesEligibility
Your service animal must: Be a dog fully-trained to assist a person with a disability (service animals in training are not eligible) Be up-to-date on all vaccinations Fit within the foot space ("footprint") of your seat and not intrude into the aisles or space of other customers
Narrow exception: Service animal in training with a professional trainer
In most cases, a service animal in training does not qualify as a recognized service animal. However, a service animal in training may travel with a professional trainer en route to the owner.
Where the service animal may sit
Service animals may not occupy a seat or encroach upon another customer's space in any way. They are allowed on your lap, in your foot space or in a neighboring foot space if you purchased an additional ticket for your animal (if seat is vacant).
Emotional support animals
Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals.
DOT forms
The DOT requires the Service Animal Air Travel form for all service animals. Flights that are 8 hours or more also require the Relief Attestation form. Submit completed forms and a service request to Delta at least 48 hours before departure.
Vaccination and minimum age (Delta's own rule)
All traveling service animals must be fully vaccinated and at least 4 months old. (Puppies may be vaccinated for rabies at 3 months old, and then a 30-day wait period must apply for the vaccine to become fully effective before they're allowed to fly at 4 months).
Expired rabies vaccination
If the dog is older than 15 months and previously vaccinated for rabies, but the vaccination has since expired, they are allowed to fly immediately following a rabies booster shot without a 30-day wait period.
Seating
You may not sit in an exit row when traveling with a service animal.
Fees
We don't charge fees for transporting trained service animals or their assistive devices, even if they are checked.
More than one service animal
A maximum of 2 service animals are permitted to travel.