Delta Air Lines Pet Policy 2026: Dogs in Cabin, Fees & Weight Limits

Quick verdict

Delta is best for small dogs that can travel in the cabin. Your dog must be able to fit comfortably inside the carrier, move around without touching or protruding from its sides and remain secured beneath the seat throughout the flight. The biggest drawback with delta is the absence of a checked dog or cargo program for civilian travelers. If your dog doesn’t quality for in cabin travel, Delta won’t be a practical choice.

• Best for: Small dogs traveling on eligible Delta-operated routes
• Biggest advantage: No published general cabin weight limit
• Biggest limitation: No regular checked or cargo option for larger dogs
• Best cabin choice: Delta Main, Delta Comfort+ or eligible domestic Delta First
• Overall: A strong cabin option when your dog, carrier, seat and complete route qualify

Delta Airlines pet policy summary

Delta Airlines Dog in Cabin Rules

Delta allows small dogs to travel in the cabin on domestic flights and on eligible international routes. Your dog needs to meet Delta’s age, health, destination, carrier, and seating requirements for the entire itinerary.

Delta does not publish a maximum cabin weight limit and eligibility is based on fit. Your dog must be small enough to fit inside the carrier and move around without touching or protruding from the sides of the carrier. The carrier must fit under the seat directly in front of you and your dog must remain secured inside the carrier during check-in, boarding, the flight, and deplaning.

This rule also applies in Delta boarding areas and Delta Sky Clubs, except when you are going through airport security or using one of the airports pet relief areas.

How many dogs can travel in one carrier?

Delta normally allows only one dog per carrier, however there are two exceptions that may apply.

• Domestic travel: At least 8 weeks old
• Entering the United States from another country: At least 6 months old
• Travel to the European Union: At least 15 weeks old

When two young dogs are approved to travel inside one carrier, Delta charges them as one in cabin dog.

Minimum age requirements

The minimum age depends on the route you are traveling.

• Domestic travel: At least 8 weeks old
• Entering the United States from another country: At least 6 months old
• Travel to the European Union: At least 15 weeks old

Note: .Your destination may set a higher minimum age or require additional rabies-vaccination timing. Your dog must meet both Delta’s policy and the destination country’s entry rules.

Seat restrictions

You cannot select the following seats to be eligible for in cabin travel with your dog.

• Bulkhead seats
• Emergency-exit rows
• Seats designated as having no under-seat storage
• Flat-bed or Delta One seats
• Rows 46–51 on the Airbus A330-200
• Rows 54–59 on the Airbus A330-300
• Center seats on the Boeing 757-200

Delta Premium Select seats and certain First Class seats on the Boeing 737-900ER are also restricted because they do not provide suitable under-seat storage.

Delta In-Cabin Carrier Requirements

Delta recommends a soft-sided carrier with maximum dimensions of:

• 18 in long
• 11 in wide
• 11 in high

This converts to approximately:

• 46 cm long
• 28 cm wide
• 28 cm high

These dimensions will fit most Delta aircraft, but they are not a universal rule for every flight.

The carrier must:

• Fit completely beneath the seat
• Be soft-sided and leak-proof
• Have ventilation on at least three sides for domestic travel
• Have ventilation on four sides for international travel
• Allow your dog to move around comfortably
• Keep your dog completely contained
• Remain securely closed in the airport and onboard the aircraft

Your dog has to stay in the carrier for the entire flight. The carrier needs to fit under the seat in front of you and your dog must be able to stand, move, and turn naturally without pressing up against the sides or top. A carrier can look perfect online but still fail at check-in if your dog cannot fit comfortably inside. Before purchasing a carrier for your trip it helps to compare Delta’s rules with our dog carrier size guide so you aren’t relying on just the label.

You may bring one regular carry-on item or one personal item in addition to the pet carrier.

Delta Airlines pet fees

These rates apply to tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025. The fee is charged in each direction and collected during airport check-in.

Dogs in Business Class on Delta

Regular dogs are not accepted in Delta One, Delta Premium Select, or any seat configured as a flat bed. Domestic Delta First can accept up to two dogs in business class when the aircraft does not have fold-flat seating and their is space under the seat for the carrier.

There is also a limited exception for international Business or First Class when the aircraft is not configured with fold-flat seating. Always confirm the exact flight, aircraft and seat directly with Delta before purchasing a premium ticket.

Trained service dogs follow Delta’s service animal policy and can travel in Delta One or other premium cabins. The dog must be able to fit on your lap or stay on the floor in front of your without blocking the aisle or entering another passenger’s space.

Flying with a large dog in cargo

Delta only allows dogs to fly as checked baggage for active U.S. military members, active U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers and their eligible spouses or dependents traveling under active transfer orders. Regular civilians cannot check a large dog with their luggage.

Delta Cargo is also restricted until further notice. Delta only accepts pet shipments for qualifying U.S. military and State Department travelers with active permanent change of station orders.

So if your dog cannot fly in the cabin with you, you will need to choose another airline with an active checked dog or cargo program.

Military & State Department Travel

Eligible travelers may transport dogs as checked baggage when:

• They are traveling under qualifying active transfer orders
• The dog is booked at least 48 hours before departure
• Each Delta-operated flight is less than 12 hours
• The itinerary has no more than one connection
• The dog travels inside an approved rigid crate
• All health and destination requirements are met

Pug-nosed and other snub-nosed dogs and their mixes are not accepted as checked baggage.

Delta Cargo Requirements

For travelers who qualify for Delta Cargo:

• The cargo booking is separate from the passenger reservation
• The dog cannot be booked more than 14 days before departure
• The dog is not guaranteed to travel on the same flight as the owner
• Drop-off and collection take place at a Delta Cargo facility
• International customers must use an IPATA-approved pet shipper
• The dog needs an IATA-compliant travel crate
• A health certificate is required within 10 days of travel
• Snub-nosed dogs and their mixes are prohibited
• Sedation is prohibited

Delta also applies temperature restrictions and does not ship pets when ground temperatures exceed 80°F/27°C or fall below 20°F/−7°C. My cabin vs. cargo guide explains the differences and the additional planning involved when a dog is too large to travel beneath the seat.

Service dogs on Delta Airlines

Delta accepts trained service dogs that are individually trained to assist a person with a disability.

The service dog must:

• Be fully trained to assist a person with a disability
• Be up to date on vaccinations
• Be at least 4 months old
• Fit within the handler’s seat footprint
• Remain outside the aisle
• Avoid entering another passenger’s space
• Remain under the handler’s control
• Behave appropriately in the airport and onboard

Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals. They must travel under Delta’s regular pet policy and meet the same carrier, route and fee requirements as other cabin pets.

Required service dog forms

Delta requires the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Travel Form for every trained service dog. For flights lasting eight hours or longer, Delta also requires the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form.

Delta asks passengers to submit the completed forms and service-animal request at least 48 hours before departure. Separate forms are required for each dog when traveling with two trained service dogs.

Seating with a service dog

A trained service dog may travel:

• On the handler’s lap when small enough
• On the floor within the handler’s seat footprint
• In the neighboring foot space when the handler has purchased the adjacent seat

The dog cannot occupy a passenger seat, block the aisle or extend into another passenger’s space. Passengers traveling with service dogs cannot sit in an emergency-exit row. Delta does not charge a fee for an approved service dog and the dog and its assistive items do not count against the passenger’s normal carry-on allowance.

Delta’s approval does not replace international entry requirements. A destination or transit country can still require veterinary documents, advance authorization or other entry procedures for a service dog.

How to book a flight with a dog on Delta

Purchase your passenger ticket and then contact Delta Reservations as soon as possible to add your dog.

Have the following information ready:

• Passenger confirmation number
• Dog’s age
• Carrier length, width and height
• Complete itinerary
• Operating airline for every segment
• Any partner-airline or codeshare flights

Cabin-pet spaces are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Delta allows up to two regular pets in eligible domestic Delta First cabins and up to four in Delta Main or Delta Comfort+, but operational restrictions can reduce those numbers.

After Delta adds your dog to the reservation:

1. Confirm every segment accepts cabin pets.
2. Check the operating airline for each flight.
3. Confirm the aircraft and seat configuration.
4. Verify that your carrier fits beneath the selected seat.
5. Reconfirm after any aircraft or schedule change.
6. Prepare all destination documents.
7. Arrive early and report to Delta’s Special Service Counter.

Do not wait until the last minute to add your dog to the reservation. Delta can refuse your dog if the flight has already reached its limit for pets.

Routes & restrictions

Dogs in cabin are not accepted for travel to or from:

• Australia
• Barbados
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• United Kingdom
• United Arab Emirates

Additional directional restrictions apply:

• Cabin pets cannot originate in Brazil
• Cabin pets cannot originate in Colombia
• Cabin pets cannot originate in the Dominican Republic
• Cabin pets are not accepted on flights travelling to Hawaii

If your dogs travel began in the United States, they may be allowed to complete the return journey from Brazil, Colombia, or the Dominican Republic if all applicable rules are met. This is something you will need to confirm with Delta before booking your ticket.

Delta-operated and partner flights

A ticket purchased from Delta may include a flight that is operated by another airline. The operating airline’s pet policy applies for that part of your journey even though the ticket displays a Delta flight number.

Before booking, check:

• The operating airline on every segment
• Whether the partner accepts cabin dogs
• The partner’s weight limit
• Carrier dimensions
• Cabin and seat restrictions
• Pet fees
• Connection requirements
• Whether the airlines can transfer the dog between flights

The simplest option is a direct flight operated entirely by Delta.

Delta Reviews

I looked at the three big review sites and searched pet and dog reviews, looking for any recurring complaints that could indicate a pattern to watch out for. The only thing that stood out were reviews mentioning rude or untrained employees, or lack of knowledge. However these did not occur at a rate that jumped out at me.

Frequently asked questions