PetFlightCheck

Delta Air Lines Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. Delta allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights for $150 each way, per pet. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 18 × 11 × 11 in (soft-sided, recommended, fits most aircraft). Pets can't fly in cargo, with rare exceptions.

Last verified against Delta's official pages

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Once you have a reservation, call Delta Reservations as soon as possible to book your pet. Have the kennel's length, width and height ready.
  2. At the airport, check in at the Special Service Counter. An agent checks your pet and kennel and collects the pet fee.
  3. At security, take your pet out of the kennel. After security, keep your pet in the kennel (except in a pet relief area), including in Delta Sky Clubs.

Source: Pet Travel on Delta

Pet fee

$150

U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

each way, per pet

$200

International

each way, per pet

  • The fee is collected at check-in.
  • The fee is charged in CAD when leaving Canada and in EUR when leaving Europe.
  • Two young pets of the same breed and size sharing one kennel are charged as one pet.
  • Brazil: $200 each way for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025.

Source: Pet Travel on Delta

Carrier size and weight

Delta doesn't publish a weight limit for pets in the cabin. What matters is the carrier: your pet has to fit inside it, and it has to fit under the seat in front of you.

Recommended soft-sided kennel

recommended, fits most aircraft

18 × 11 × 11 in

≈ 46 × 28 × 28 cm (L × W × H)

  • Delta doesn't set one maximum kennel size: the limit is the under-seat space on your aircraft, so check your flight's aircraft dimensions. The kennel must be leak-proof, with ventilation on 3 sides (4 for international travel).
  • Your pet kennel plus 1 personal item or 1 carry-on item.
  • Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
  • 1 carrier per passenger, with one pet inside.

Where you can sit

  • Not in bulkhead seats
  • Not in an emergency exit row
  • Not in seats marked "no stowage"
  • Not in flat-bed or Delta One seats
  • Not in rows 46-51 on the A330-200 or rows 54-59 on the A330-300
  • Not in center seats on the B757-200

Source: Pet Travel on Delta

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Pets can't travel in the cabin to or from these places:

  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic: no pets originating there
  • Hawaii: no pets on flights to Hawaii
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • Jamaica
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates

Breeds

Delta's pet shipping page says: "Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights." Delta's in-cabin pet page doesn't mention short-nosed breeds. Confirm with Delta before you book a short-nosed dog or cat.

Also good to know

  • Up to 2 pets in Delta First (domestic) and up to 4 in Delta Comfort or Delta Main. No pets in Delta One, Delta Premium or international Business Class. It's first-come, first-served.
  • Dogs flying to the U.S. from another country must be at least 6 months old (cats at least 16 weeks), microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
  • Pets flying to the European Union must be at least 15 weeks old.
  • Dogs flying to Mexico need a New World Screwworm Inspection Certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, issued no more than 5 days before arrival and checked at check-in.
  • Breaking the kennel rules at the airport or on board can cost you the right to fly with your pet on future flights.

Sources: Pet Travel on Delta, Shipping Your Pet

Cargo and checked pets

Delta doesn't carry pets in the cargo hold, so a dog that doesn't fit in an under-seat carrier can't fly with Delta. Exception: Delta Cargo ships pets only for active U.S. military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers traveling with permanent change of station orders.

Source: Shipping Your Pet

Service dogs and emotional support animals

  • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
  • Emotional support animals fly as regular pets, under the pet rules and fee on this page.
  • Required paperwork: DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form (plus the DOT Relief Attestation Form for flights of 8 hours or more), submitted at least 48 hours before departure.

Source: Trained Service Animals

Other details

  • Small household birds can also fly in the cabin on domestic flights within the contiguous U.S.
  • A mother cat or dog can travel with her un-weaned litter (8 weeks to 6 months old) in one kennel.
  • Service dogs must be fully vaccinated and at least 4 months old.

Before you fly

Delta can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 26, 2026. Confirm the rules with Delta before you book and again before you travel.

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