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Delta Airlines Pet Restrictions & Fees

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Delta Airlines Pet Policy

For pet lovers planning to travel with Delta Airlines, understanding the airline's pet policy can ensure a smoother journey for both you and your beloved pet. Delta Airlines has outlined specific rules to ensure a safe and comfortable flight experience. It's important to note that there are restrictions on the number of pets per flight: two pets are permitted in first and business class, while up to four pets can be accommodated in the main cabin.

Delta warmly invites passengers with small pets, such as dogs, cats, and household birds, to travel in the cabin for select flights within the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. However, pets are not permitted on flights to Hawaii. A critical prerequisite for pets traveling in the cabin is that they must be compact enough to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Additionally, to qualify for cabin travel, pets must meet certain age requirements based on the journey's origin and destination.

While pets are generally permitted in the cabin, there are certain limitations when it comes to the number of animals in each carrier. On domestic flights in the USA, a female dog or cat may travel with her litter if they are aged between 10 weeks to 6 months. Interestingly, there is no limit on the number of animals in the litter. The pet fee for cabin travel varies and is dependent on the journey's destination.

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Unfortunately, pets are not allowed to travel as checked baggage with Delta Airlines. But fret not! For larger animals or pets traveling separately from their owners, Delta offers a cargo option through Delta Cargo. Pets can be shipped domestically via this service, albeit certain conditions apply regarding booking and travel times.

Delta also specifies allowed carrier dimensions for pets traveling in the cabin or cargo. A soft-sided carrier with dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” is generally recommended for cabin travel. For cargo, the carriers can vary in size, as long as the animal is comfortable. All carriers must meet certain requirements to ensure the pet's safety and comfort during the journey.

However, it's essential to note that Delta Airlines has restrictions on certain breeds due to the potential health risks associated with air travel. Unfortunately, Delta does not accept brachycephalic breeds, and this applies to both dogs and cats. Therefore, it's crucial to review these restrictions before planning your journey with your pet.

Remember that air carriers can modify these policies without prior notice. Hence, you should always check directly with the airline before booking, ensuring that you have the most recent and accurate information. This will enable you to plan and prepare accordingly, leading to a seamless journey for you and your pet.

For detailed information about Delta Airlines, including flight check-in, baggage policies, and more, check out our Delta Airlines Guide.

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