Pet Policy Overview
Delta is one of the most popular US carriers for in-cabin pet travel, thanks to its extensive domestic network and no weight limit policy for cabin pets. However, the airline has suspended its general cargo pet program (formerly Delta Cargo PetFirst) and now only transports pets as cargo for active US military and State Department personnel on permanent change of station orders. For civilian cat owners, this means your cat must fit in an under-seat carrier or you will need to use a different airline or third-party pet shipping service for larger cats.
Key Details
Pet Fee
$150 (USA/Canada) / $200 (Intl)
Pro Tip
Delta operates a strict first-come, first-served system for in-cabin pets with a hard cap per flight: typically 2 pets in First Class and 4 in Main Cabin. You cannot book a pet online — you must call Delta Reservations directly and have your carrier dimensions ready. Spots fill up fast on popular routes, so book your pet the moment you book your ticket. Delta also requires cats to be at least 8 weeks old for domestic flights and 16 weeks for travel to the EU.
Restrictions
Pets are banned from cabin travel to/from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, UAE, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Barbados, and Hawaii. Pets are not permitted in Delta One, international Business Class, or any cabin with flat-bed seats. Delta does not accept animals as checked baggage or cargo on any B767 or B757 (Europe routes) aircraft. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds have no specific ban but are cautioned about breathing risks.