If your animal is too large to fly within the cabin, he must be shipped separately. Delta allows animals to fly as cargo permitted the pet, weather, and cargo hold are conducive for safe travel. Certain breed, animal, and conditions restrictions exist for cargo travel, meaning it is essential for you to carefully research the airline pet policy. 

To ensure your pet can successfully fly as cargo with Delta Airlines, we recommend reviewing the following necessary information.  


…HAVE EVERYTHING?


 


How much does it cost to fly a pet on Delta Airlines?
Pricing is dynamic—it will depend on your pet’s size, weight, and destination.  

How many animals/pets are allowed on each flight?
Varies by flight. 

What animals can fly in cargo?
Cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and additional warm-blooded animals. 

Are there age requirements?
Animals must be at least 10 weeks old to fly domestically. They should be 15 weeks to fly to Europe and at least 16 weeks for other international flights.  

What is the required kennel size?
This is dependent on your animal’s size. The smallest accepted (100 series) is 21”Lx15”Wx16”H. 

What pet travel forms are required?
All animals should have a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. It should be issued no more than 10 days prior to travel.  

Where are pets in cargo dropped off and picked up from?
Animals should not be dropped at the airline counter. Instead, they should be dropped and picked up at a Delta Cargo location.  

How to Book a Pet Cargo Reservation with Delta Airlines

If you would like to ship your animal with Delta Airlines, you must wait until 14 days prior to the travel date—the airline will not accept reservations more than two weeks in advance. You can search for a Delta pet cargo flight and make your reservation online. Pet parents should be prepared to drop the animal off at least three hours before its departure time.  

Other Types of Pet and Animal Travel with Delta Airlines

 

More FAQ Information for Pets in Cargo 

Are there any additional crate requirements?
USDA/IATA approved. Live Animal Checklist and Labels. Hard-sided kennels. Kennels cannot have doors that open on top or plastic door latches. Kennels larger than 36 x 24 x 26 may be restricted on certain aircraft.  

What information should be included in the health certificate?
This health certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport, must include the shipper’s name and address, tag number or tattoos assigned to the animal, and the pet’s age. It should also include: 

  • A statement that the animal is in good health. If the shipper knows that the pet is pregnant, it must be noted. 
  • A list of administered inoculation when applicable 
  • The veterinarian’s signature 
  • The date of the certificate 

Does Delta provide any additional pet shipping services or programs?
Delta provides a GPS On-Demand tracking program for an additional $25. This service allows anxious pet parents to monitor their animals throughout the cargo journey—all in real time. This additional layer of reliability provides peace of mind for pet owners worldwide. The GPS feature can be applied to shipments originating in ATL, CVG, DTW, LAX, LGA, MCI, MEM, MSP, SEA, SFO, SLC, STL, and TPA. 

Are there any temperature restrictions?
To keep your pet safe, Delta observes several seasonal and weather-related pet restrictions. The airline will not accept animals for cargo travel during extreme weather or if any point in the trip is forecasted to be between 10F (-12C) and 85F (29.4C). The airline imposes summer and winter restrictions for specific locations. 

Are there any breed restrictions?
Delta does not accept snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats to fly in the cargo hold. Restricted cat breeds include Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, and Persian. The restricted dog breeds are listed below. 

  • American bulldog 
  • American Staffordshire terrier 
  • American pit bull terrier 
  • Boston terrier 
  • Boxer 
  • Brussels griffin 
  • Bulldog 
  • Chinese pug 
  • Chow chow 
  • Dutch pug 
  • English bulldog 
  • English toy spaniel 
  • French bulldog 
  • Lhasa apso 
  • Japanese boxer 
  • Japanese pug 
  • Japanese spaniel (Chin) 
  • Mastiff (all breeds) 
  • Pekinese 
  • Pit bull 
  • Pug 
  • Shar Pei 
  • Shih Tzu 
  • Staffordshire bull terrier 
  • Tibetan spaniel  

  

Important Contact Information 

U.S. Domestic Flights: 800-221-1212 
International Flights: 800-241-4141 
Pet Cargo: 800-DL-CARGO (800-352-2746)