If you’re planning to fly with your pet on Delta Air Lines, the rules look very different today than they did just a few years ago. The COVID-19 era brought major changes to how (and whether) Delta moves pets, and many of those changes are still in place. This guide walks through Delta’s current pet travel options, who qualifies for each, and the documentation you’ll need before you book.
Last updated: May 2026. Policies change frequently. Always confirm the latest details directly with Delta before you travel.
The Big Change: Delta Cargo No Longer Ships Pets for the General Public
The most important update for anyone researching Delta and pet travel: Delta Cargo’s pet shipping service is closed to the general public. Delta implemented an embargo on all Pets in Hold (AVIH) bookings during the pandemic and has not lifted it. There is no announced end date.
This means that if you are a typical pet owner who needs to move a medium or large dog to a new home, Delta is no longer an option for you, as it used to offer this service through its “Delta Pet First” cargo program. You will need to work with a professional pet relocation company that has access to other commercial carriers and cargo networks.
Who Can Still Ship Pets in the Hold
Delta has carved out a narrow exception. According to Delta’s official agency policy page, pets in hold are accepted only for:
- Active U.S. military members with change-of-assignment (PCS) orders. Please be sure to inquire if you qualify.
- Active U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) with transfer orders to or from a U.S. embassy, consulate, or mission
- Spouses of the above, traveling under those same orders
To qualify on the day of departure, the traveler must be able to produce:
- A government-issued active U.S. military ID or active U.S. foreign service personnel ID/official passport
- Change-of-assignment orders from the military, or transfer orders to/from a U.S. embassy, consulate, or mission
The flight itself must be less than 12 hours in duration, with no exceptions to that ceiling. Change-of-gauge flights count as two separate flights when calculating the 12-hour maximum.
Delta In-Cabin Pet Fees
Military and FSO customers can transport up to two kennels per flight (giant-sized kennels still must move as cargo). Delta’s current pet-in-hold fee structure:
- Within the U.S. (or between the U.S. and Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico): $150 USD
- Between the U.S. and Canada/Caribbean/other international destinations: $200 USD/CAD/EUR
- Between the U.S. and Brazil: $200 USD for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025
Fees are charged each time the pet is checked in, including at stopovers, and are subject to change.
Pets in the Cabin (PETC)
Cabin travel is still open to the general public for small dogs, cats, and household birds with several conditions.
Size, Age, and Kennel Requirements
- The pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel that slides under the seat in front of you without touching or protruding.
- Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel no larger than 18″ x 11″ x 11″, which fits most aircraft types. Maximum dimensions vary by aircraft, so confirm with Delta Reservations before booking.
- The kennel must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least two sides.
- The pet must remain in the kennel, with the door secured, while in the boarding area, in any Delta lounge, and onboard.
- Age: at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel. For international travel, a dog must be at least 6 months old when entering the U.S. from another country, a cat must be at least 16 weeks old, and pets traveling to the European Union must be at least 15 weeks old.
- One pet per kennel, with limited exceptions for a mother and her unweaned litter, or two same-breed, same-size pets between 8 weeks and 6 months that fit comfortably in one kennel.
- Household birds are allowed in the cabin on domestic U.S. flights only.
Seating Restrictions
A pet in cabin limits where you can sit. Per Delta, customers traveling with a carry-on pet may not sit in:
- Bulkhead seats
- Emergency exit rows
- Seats designated as “no stowage”
- Flat-bed seats
- Rows 46–51 on the A330-200, or rows 54–59 on the A330-300
- Center seats on the B757-200
- Row 1 or window seats in First Class on the B737-900ER (no under-seat stowage)
- Delta One® or Delta Premium Select seats
Pets are not allowed in Delta One, Business Class, or First Class on any international flight, or on any domestic flight equipped with a flat-bed seat. Delta does make an exception for Business and First Class on international flights when the aircraft is not configured with flat-bed seats.
Where You Cannot Take a Pet in the Cabin
Delta does not allow pets in the cabin to or from the following destinations (service animals excepted):
- Australia
- Barbados
- Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic (origin embargoes — see below)
- Hawaii
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
There are also active PETC embargoes on flights originating in the Dominican Republic (since January 24, 2025) and in Brazil and Colombia (since June 7, 2021). Customers who originated travel in the U.S. can complete the return leg if all CDC requirements are met, but new outbound pet travel from those countries is not accepted.
Booking and Fees
Pets in the cabin are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and Delta caps the total number of pets per flight. Call Delta Reservations in advance to add a pet to your itinerary. The in-cabin pet fee is a one-way charge collected at check-in; current fees by region are published on Delta’s Pet Travel page.
CDC Requirements for Dogs Entering the U.S.
Since August 1, 2024, the CDC has enforced updated requirements that apply to every dog entering the U.S. — including pets in cabin, pets in hold, service animals, and dogs handled via Delta Cargo. Every dog must:
- Be at least 6 months old
- Be microchipped and appear healthy
- Be accompanied by a valid CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Carry the appropriate vaccination or veterinary documentation based on the dog’s travel history
Additional paperwork applies if the dog has been in a CDC-designated high-risk rabies country in the previous 6 months, or if the dog was vaccinated outside the U.S. Dogs vaccinated abroad and traveling from a high-risk country must enter the U.S. through one of six approved airports (ex: ATL, LAX, MIA, JFK, IAD, or PHL) and have a confirmed reservation at a CDC Animal Care Facility.
You can find current requirements at the CDC Dog Importation page.
Seasonal and Temperature Restrictions
Even before the AVIH embargo, Delta restricted pet travel based on weather. Those rules still apply to military and FSO bookings as well as Delta Cargo shipments.
For tickets issued on or after July 24, 2018:
- No pets are accepted as checked baggage if the forecast high temperature at any point on the itinerary (origin, transit, or destination) is below 20°F (-6.5°C) or above 80°F (26.5°C).
- Summer embargo: Delta does not accept pets as checked baggage on Delta- or Aeromexico-operated flights between May 15 and September 15.
- Winter embargo: Delta does not accept pets as checked baggage on flights to or from Sun Valley, ID (SUN), Twin Falls, ID (TWF), or Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) between November 1 and March 31.
There are no exceptions to the temperature restrictions, not even for military.
Aircraft Restrictions
Pets, including military and FSO pets in hold, cannot fly as checked baggage or cargo on the following Delta-operated aircraft:
- Boeing 767: systemwide, no exceptions
- Boeing 757: on routes to and from Europe
- Airbus A330-200: systemwide, no exceptions
These restrictions are absolute and apply to all customers, including military.
Delta Breed Restrictions
Delta does not accept snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats as checked baggage or via cargo. These breeds, including pugs, bulldogs, Persians, Himalayans, and others, are at heightened risk of respiratory distress in flight. There are no military exceptions for restricted breeds.
Delta maintains the current list of restricted snub-nosed dogs and cats on the Delta Cargo Restricted Animals page. Breed lists change from time to time, so always check the official list before booking.
Kennel Requirements at a Glance
- In-cabin kennels must be leak-proof, ventilated on at least two sides, and fit under the seat in front of you. Soft- or hard-sided is fine.
- Checked baggage/cargo kennels must meet USDA guidelines: rigid construction, room for the pet to stand without its head touching the top, and room to turn around and lie down naturally.
- All kennels need a Live Animal Checklist (with feeding and watering instructions), Live Animal label, and directional arrows.
- Approved kennels are sold at most pet supply stores. Delta does not sell kennels at ticket counters, but Delta Cargo locations sometimes carry them. You must call ahead.
Service and Support Animals
Trained service animals are accepted in the cabin under separate rules and are not subject to the PETC embargoes. Delta’s current service-animal documentation requirements live on Delta’s Service and Support Animals page. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are no longer treated as service animals by Delta or by most U.S. carriers. They fall under standard pet rules.
What This Means If You’re Relocating a Pet
If you came here looking to ship a dog or cat with Delta because you’re moving (domestically or internationally) the short version is: Delta is no longer set up to help you directly. Cargo pet shipping is closed to civilians, and in-cabin travel is limited to small pets, certain routes, and a handful of breeds.
That doesn’t mean your pet can’t get where you’re going. It does mean you’ll need to plan further ahead and work with a professional pet relocation specialist who can:
- Identify carriers that still accept pets as manifest cargo
- Handle USDA-accredited veterinary paperwork, microchipping, and rabies titers
- Navigate CDC entry rules, destination-country import permits, and quarantine requirements
- Book IATA-compliant kennels and coordinate ground transport at both ends
This is exactly what we do at Animal Land Pet Movers. If Delta is your starting point, request a price quote from our team, and we’ll map out the options available for your route.
This article was originally published in 2014 and was substantially refreshed in May 2026 to reflect Delta’s current policies, including the ongoing Delta Cargo AVIH embargo, updated CDC requirements effective August 1, 2024, current destination embargoes, and current temperature and aircraft restrictions. Always verify policy details directly with Delta before booking pet travel.
