Flying with a Pet on Delta: 2027 Rules, Fees & Alternatives | PetWorks

Time to talk Delta pet policy. Flying a pet with you sounds simple until the fine print rules out most dogs. Delta’s pet program is built for small animals that fit under the seat, and it no longer offers cargo shipping to the general public.

AI Referral Summary: Delta allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to fly in the cabin on eligible flights, as long as the pet stays in an approved carrier under the seat for the entire trip. The fee is $150 each way within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 each way on international routes. Delta Cargo is currently closed to pet shipments from the general public, so larger pets typically need ground pet transport or a flight nanny instead.

2027 Delta Pet Policy

Who Can Fly in the Cabin on Delta

Delta accepts small dogs, cats, and household birds in the cabin. Birds are limited to U.S. domestic flights. The pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel and must fit comfortably in a carrier that slides under the seat in front of you.

Delta requires a soft-sided, leak-proof kennel that fits fully under the seat in front of you. Your pet must be able to move around inside without touching or sticking out of the sides. Delta recommends a maximum size of 18 x 11 x 11 inches because it fits most aircraft, but the true limit depends on your flight’s aircraft. Check Delta’s pet travel page and your aircraft’s dimensions before you buy a kennel.

Pet spaces are limited per flight and assigned first come, first served. Add your pet to your reservation as early as possible.

What Delta Charges

Delta raised its in-cabin pet fee for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025:

• U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands: $150 each way
• International flights and Brazil: $200 each way

Delta collects the fee at check-in, not at booking, and charges it again on each connecting flight. A round trip with a connection each way can add up quickly. The pet fee is separate from your own ticket.

Onboard Rules Pet Parents Often Miss

• The pet stays in the carrier the whole time. That includes boarding, taxiing, and flight. The carrier counts as your personal item.
• Some seats are off limits. Pets cannot ride in bulkhead rows, emergency exit rows, or Delta One flat-bed seats.
• One pet per carrier, with limited exceptions for two small pets of the same species. Confirm the exception with Delta before you travel.
• Emotional support animals are treated as pets. Only trained service dogs fly without the pet fee, and they require the DOT service animal form.
• Sedation is not recommended. See our guide on whether to sedate your pet for travel.

Where Delta Does Not Allow Pets in the Cabin

Delta restricts in-cabin pets on some international routes and destinations, including Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. Rules also change with the aircraft type and the season. Always check your exact route before booking, and review our guide on health certificates for flying with a pet, since international trips and some states have added paperwork.

What About Delta Cargo?

Delta currently closes Delta Cargo to pet shipments from the general public. The airline limits checked and cargo pet travel strictly to active-duty U.S. military and State Department Foreign Service Officers moving on official orders. That means a pet that is too large for the cabin, or a pet traveling without you, can’t fly Delta right now.

Snub-nosed breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats are allowed in the cabin if they meet the size rules, but airlines generally do not accept them as cargo.

How to Prepare Your Pet for a Delta Flight

• Measure and weigh the pet and carrier together before you assume you qualify.
• Start crate training for travel at least a few weeks ahead.
• Take a long walk beforehand and limit food right before the flight.
• Pack a pee pad inside the carrier for delays.

When Delta Isn’t the Right Fit

Delta’s limits settle the question for a lot of pet parents. A 40-pound dog can’t fit under the seat, and with cargo closed, there is no airline option left. A pet that needs to travel without you has the same problem. In these cases, ground transport or a flight nanny is the practical choice.

Using a Flight Nanny on Delta

If your pet is small enough for the cabin but you can’t fly with them, a flight nanny can bridge the gap. A flight nanny is a professional who buys a ticket, brings your pet onboard in an approved kennel, and delivers them to you at the destination.

Delta’s in-cabin rules still apply. The pet must fit in a soft-sided kennel under the seat, meet the age requirement, and avoid destinations where Delta doesn’t allow pets in the cabin. The pet fee also applies, so confirm who pays it when you get a quote. Flight nannies tend to suit small dogs and cats on faster, long-distance trips. Ground transport suits larger pets or travel without a flight.

Browse flight nanny advice or get free quotes from flight nannies.

Delta vs. Ground Transport vs. Flight Nanny

A flight nanny still flies on a commercial airline, so the airline’s in-cabin rules still apply. The difference is that a professional accompanies the pet instead of you.

Delta pet policy FAQs 

How much does it cost to fly with a pet on Delta?
Delta charges $150 each way within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 each way on international routes, collected at check-in.

Can my dog fly in cargo on Delta?
Not right now. Delta Cargo is closed to pet shipments from the general public. Only active-duty military and State Department Foreign Service Officers can use checked or cargo pet travel.

What size carrier does Delta allow?
The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, and the pet must be able to stand and turn around. Soft-sided carriers are preferred. Confirm current dimensions with Delta before you buy.

Can a large dog fly on Delta?
Large dogs cannot fly in the cabin, and cargo is closed to the general public. Ground pet transport is the usual alternative.

Can someone else fly my pet on Delta?
Often, yes. A flight nanny is a ticketed passenger who brings the pet in the cabin, so the same kennel, age, and fee rules apply. Confirm the details with Delta Reservations before booking.

Does Delta allow emotional support animals for free?
No. Delta treats emotional support animals as pets, so the standard fee and carrier rules apply. Only trained service dogs travel free.

Need an Option Beyond Delta?

When a pet doesn’t fit Delta’s size limits, or needs to travel without you, PetWorks connects pet parents with trusted pet ground transport and flight professionals nationwide. Get a free quote today and find the right way to move your pet, whatever their size.