Delta Pet Policy: Fly with your Dog and Cat Safely

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Traveling with your furry friends can be a joyous experience, but it also requires careful planning and consideration. Delta Airlines offers accommodating options for those who wish to fly with their pets, ensuring safety and comfort for your dogs or cats throughout the journey. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of Delta pet policy, helping pet owners understand how to best prepare for air travel with their animal companions.
General Guidelines for Pet Travel on Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin for a fee on most flights within the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Pets that meet the specified criteria can also travel internationally. Here’s what you need to know:
In-Cabin Pet Travel

• Eligibility: Pets traveling in-cabin must be small enough to fit comfortably in a travel carrier under the seat in front of you. The pet carrier counts as your one carry-on item.
• Carrier dimensions: The carrier must be leak-proof and ventilated on at least two sides. Delta provides specific dimensions on their website, but generally, the carrier should not exceed 18 inches x 11 inches x 11 inches.
• Age requirements: Pets must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel and 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from other countries.
• Fees: The fee for domestic travel ranges from $75 to $125 each way, but it can vary based on the destination.

Checked Pets
Due to capacity limitations and environmental considerations, Delta has certain restrictions and bans on pet travel as checked baggage:

• Seasonal restrictions: Pets are not accepted as checked baggage during extreme weather conditions (too hot or too cold temperatures).
• Breed restrictions: Delta does not accept snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats as checked baggage.
• Fee and conditions: Where applicable, the fees and conditions for checked pet travel can be accessed directly from Delta’s customer service.

Service and Emotional Support Animals
Delta allows service and emotional support animals to travel in the cabin at no extra cost under certain conditions:

• Documentation: Passengers must provide current documentation (no older than one year) on letterhead from a licensed mental health professional or doctor who is treating the passenger’s disability.
• Behavior: Animals must behave properly and must be on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

Preparing Your Pet for Travel
Booking Your Flight

• Advance notice: It’s crucial to notify Delta in advance about your intent to travel with a pet due to limitations on the number of pets per flight.
• Check health and vaccination requirements: Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date and you have all necessary health certificates, especially for international travel.

Day of Travel

• Feeding: Feed your pet a light meal 2 to 3 hours before departure. Do not feed your pet right before the flight to avoid nausea.
• Exercise: Give your pet some exercise before heading to the airport to help them calm down for the journey.
• At the airport: Arrive at the airport early to deal with any additional inspections or procedures.

In the Air

• Comfort: Make sure your pet’s carrier has a familiar blanket or toy to help soothe them.
• Hydration: Provide a small water dish in the carrier that attaches to the door to prevent spills. Offer water at times if possible.

After Arrival

• Immediate needs: Once you arrive at your destination, give your pet some time to adjust to the new environment. Provide them with food and water, and take them for a walk as soon as possible.
• Health monitoring: Keep an eye on your pet’s health and behavior for a few days after travel to ensure they are adjusting well.

Flying with pets on Delta Airlines can be a hassle-free experience with proper preparation and understanding of the rules. By following these detailed guidelines, you can ensure that both you and your pet have a safe and comfortable journey.