Can You Fly With Pets on Delta Airlines? Policy Explained

Dreaming a destination vacation with your furry friend on Delta Airlines? But don’t know the regulations. Delta Airlines' Pet Policy offers a wide range of options for your pet travel. It allows your domestic small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin. However, large animals have other regulations for traveling with delta. Understanding various policies and restrictions will help you have a smooth and cherished journey with your furry companion. So, come on and let’s explore various guidelines and travel rules for your pet in this blog.

Is it Allowed to Carry Pets With You While Traveling Delta Airlines? 

Per Delta Airlines pet policy, pets can travel with the passengers. However, pets may have to meet the airline requirements. The regulations are different for service animals than for regular pets. 

Pet rules may depend on the size of the pet, the type of flight, and the departure location. It also differs according to the in-cabin and cargo requirements. Some of the regulations for cargo and in-cabin pets are: 

In-Cabin Pets:

As per the Delta Airlines Pet Regulations, small dogs and cats are permitted inside the cabin. Besides, little feathery creatures are permitted to accompany the travelers as their pets in the cabin. The animals, however, should conform to specific standards regarding age, health, size, and kennel. This rule applies to the domestic routes. For the international routes, rules may differ. 

Cargo Pets: 

Larger pets that meet the eligibility criteria and don’t fit in the cabin as carry-on can travel in cargo. These pets are not accompanying the travelers and are also not being released at the airport. They have been assigned a different Delta cargo drop-off point for their safety and security.

What are the Delta Airlines' In-Cabin Pet Policy Rules? 

Only small animals can travel as carry-ons inside the cabin. But some rules need to be followed inside the cabin, as per the Delta pet policy. Here are some of the In-cabin regulations: 

1. All the animals need to fulfill the age, size, Kennel, and health requirements. As instructed by the airline authorities. 
2. In domestic flights, a one-way fee will be collected at the check-in counter. 
3. For international flights, pets are allowed if the passenger provides all the necessary documents of their pet. It also varies according to the departure destination and the country of origin. 
4. Pets on a Delta flight must be 8 weeks old for a domestic flight. 
5. In the case of traveling to the U.S. from other countries, a dog has to be 6 months old,
6. A cat 16 weeks old at the very least. 
7. Your pet must be 15 weeks older, if travelling to a European country. 
8. Only 1 pet is allowed per kennel. 
9. The Kennel must be made up of soft fabric and well-ventilated.
10. In-cabin 1 personal, and 1 carry-on item is allowed per passenger. 

Delta Seating Arrangements with Pets: 

Tourists travelling with pets inside the cabin are not allowed to select the following seats: 

• Emergency Exit Row 
• Seats that are marked as “No Stowage.” 
• Bulkhead seats
• Delta One Seats or flat-bed seats 
• Rows 46-51 on the A330-200 aircraft 
• Rows 54-59 on the A330-300 aircraft
• Center seats on the B757-200 aircraft

In-Cabin Kennel Requirements: 

• The kennel of the pet must be fitted under the passenger seat or in front. 
• The Kennel must be leak-proof and have 3-sided ventilated openings for domestic travel, and 4 for international. 
• The dimensions of the kennel must not exceed 18x11x11. 

What is the Carry-On Pet Fee in Delta? 

It is somewhere expensive when you are travelling with your pet. Passengers may have to pay a certain amount at the check-in counter. So, be ready with your cash or credit cards to pay the amount if you are traveling with your pet. The fee structure of Delta Airlines is as follows: 

Note: CAD amount will be charged while exiting Canada. And EUR will be charged while exiting Europe, as per the Delta Airlines pet policy. 

What is Delta Airlines' International Pet Policy? 

According to the Delta Airlines pet policy international, different countries have different regulations while travelling with your pets. For international travel, you may have to take a lot of documents with you. Below is a list of Important documents to be taken while travelling internationally: 

• Always check the destination requirements. Some countries require microchipped identification. 
• All health certificates are mandatory to ensure the safety of your pet. 
• Vaccination certificates are also essential to make sure that your pet is rabies-free.
• As per the Delta pet travel policy, some destinations, such as Australia and New Zealand, do not permit dog travel. 
• In the above case, the pet must travel through the cargo. 
• Please check the destinations that permit the pet travel with Delta before booking the flight. 

International Destinations that Restrict Pet Travel: 

• Australia 
• Barbados
• Columbia
• Brazil 
• Dominican Republic 
• Hawaii 
• Iceland
• Hong-Kong 
• New Zealand 
• Iceland 
• Jamaica 
• South Africa 
• UAE & UK. 

How to Book Your Pet Slot with Delta Airlines? 

As per the Delta Airline pet rules, only 6 slots are available per flight. If you arrive late, then you lose the chance to take your pet on vacation. So, it is important to book your pet slot before it's too late. Below are some simple steps through which you can make your pet reservation with Delta: 

1. First, book your own ticket through the official website of Delta. 
2. Then, to book your pet slot, call the Delta Reservation Department. 
3. Provide all the essential details of your pet like size, weight, age, and location. 
4. Also, provide the carrier details , like size and model. 
5. After giving all the necessary information, your pet's reservation process is completed. 
6. At last, pay the applicable amount at the airport counter after the inspection.

What are the Regulations for Service Animals on Delta? 

In case the passenger is physically challenged or suffering from any other serious disease, then service animals are there to help you. They can sit beside you inside the cabin, without any kennel. However, as per the Delta Airlines pet policy, passengers have to provide the following documents to prove that they are fully trained: 

1. U.S. DOT form submission is compulsory. It verifies that your pet is a service animal. The submission of this document must be done 48 hours before the flight departure. 
2. A certificate or other document is required to prove that your animal is fully trained. 
3. According to the pet policy on Delta Airlines, it provides various relief centres at the airport for the service animal.

Which Pet Breeds are Prohibited from Flying on Delta? 

Delta Airlines restricts various breeds from flying. It is because of their health and safety concerns. The restricted breeds also include the snub-nose breeds. The following breeds are not allowed to fly on Delta Cargo, as well as in-cabin: 

Restricted Dog Breed: 

• Boston Terriers 
• Shih Tzu
• Bulldogs
• Pugs 
• Boxers 

Restricted Subnosed Cats:

1. Exotic Shorthair 
2. Persian Cats 
3. Himalayan Breed 
4. Burmese Cats 

Important Tips to Keep In Mind: 

If you travel with your pets, then you need more preparation than expected. Here are some valuable tips through which your pet feels safe and relaxed during the entire journey: 

• Try to book your pet slot as soon as possible. As only 6 slots are available per flight. 
• If possible, select the direct flight to your departure destination. It releases the hassle of changing flights with your pet. 
• Make your pet prepared to stay inside the carrier for long journeys.
• Pet feeding before four hours of flight departure is mandatory.
• Try to write down your contact details on the pet carrier before your journey commences. 
• Always carry an extra set of your pet's documents.

Final Words: 

In the end, the Delta Airlines pet policy permits pets to travel, although with a few stringent rules. Pets of small size can be in the cabin during the flight, but the bigger ones have to be in the cargo. Tourists need to go through the whole pet policy regulations and restrictions before making a reservation. The pet policy regulations will help to keep your pet safe and secure, no matter if you are traveling for business or for pleasure.

Read More Related Post: