Planning to fly with your dog? While air travel can be a quick way to get dogs or pets from one place to another, you should always plan ahead and make sure you know airlines have different policies about transporting pets. Some allow pets to travel in the aircraft cabin as part of your carry-on luggage allowance, while others will only allow pets to travel in the cargo area, and fees can vary from at all to more than $500. Also, most airlines only allow up to 4 dogs on each flight, so always make sure it is available for your dog BEFORE buying your own ticket. And always notice the airline 48 hours ahead of your trip.
To make your travel easy, please familiarize yourself with current U.S. Travel Regulations or International Pet Travel restrictions before you go. Have a great trip!
Take off with your favorite friend, even if they’ve got fur. Some pets can travel with Delta as a carry on or shipped as (very special) cargo, depending on their size. Review the requirements, then call us in advance at 800-221-1212 to arrange to bring your pet.
Shipping Your Pet with Delta Cargo
Our specialized shipping service Delta Cargo provides safe, reliable, year-round transportation, with service to address the needs of all warm-blooded animals that are shipped without their owners. Review the following before booking:
A separate booking from their flight itinerary is required. Additional fees and charges may apply
A pet shipped domestically via Delta Cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure
Pets are not guaranteed to be shipped on a customer’s same flight or flight schedule.
Shipping a pet requires dropping it off at a Delta Cargo location at least three hours before departure time at a location separate from passenger check-in
Picking up a pet would also occur at a Delta Cargo location
Delta Cargo only accepts international pet shipments from known shipping companies. Delta suggests that international customers use a pet shipper, opens in a new window approved by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. Customers would then need to follow acceptance procedures set by the shipper
Health Requirements
Health Certificate
A health certificate is required when shipping your pet as cargo, and for all pets checked as baggage like those traveling with a U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Office Member . Per some destination states may require a health certificate for your pet. Your veterinarian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, opens in a new window, or the Department of Agriculture for your destination state may provide you with more information.
If a health certificate is required, it must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport and must include:
Shipper's name and address
Tag numbers or tattoos assigned to the animal
Age of the animal being shipped: USDA regulations require animals be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling domestically, at least 16 weeks old before traveling to the U.S. from other countries and at least 15 weeks old for European travel
Statement that the animal is in good health (If the shipper knows that the pet is pregnant, it must be noted on the health certificate)
List of administered inoculations, when applicable
Signature of the veterinarian
Date of the certificate
Live Animal Checklist/Confirmation of Feeding
When you check in your pet, you will be asked to complete a live animal checklist. When you sign this checklist, you are confirming that your pet has been offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in. On the checklist, you must also provide feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. If in-transit feeding is necessary, you must provide food.
Tranquilizers
The use of pet tranquilizers at high altitudes is unpredictable. If you plan to sedate your pet, you must have written consent from the pet's veterinarian. This information must be attached to the kennel. Please keep in mind that Delta agents cannot administer medication of any kind.
Weather Requirements
To keep your pet safe, we observe seasonal restrictions on pet travel. For your pet’s safety, we don’t ship pets during extreme weather. This includes if the temperature exceeds 80˚F (27˚C) or if the temperature falls below 20˚F (-7˚C) while the animal is on the ground at any point in the routing.
International Pet Travel
Pets to Hawaii
Though Hawaii is part of the United States, Hawaii takes extra care when bringing live animals into the state due to its unique ecosystems. Hawaii requires that all live animals shipped or brought into the state have health and rabies inoculation certificates dated no more than 10 days before travel begins. On Delta flights to Hawaii, pets will not be accepted as carry-on baggage.
Please note, Hawaiian quarantine facilities are located in Honolulu only; therefore, Delta cannot accept pets on nonstop flights to any other Hawaiian city. Delta does not participate in the Neighbor Island Dog and Cat Entry Program. Also as of October 1, 2016, Delta and Delta Cargo will no longer accept warm blooded animals on flights with an average flight time of greater than 12 hours.
Hawaii Quarantines
All cats and dogs are subject to a 120-day quarantine in Hawaii. If specific pre- and post-arrival requirements are met, your pet may qualify for a shorter (30-days or less) quarantine. Costs are charged to the pet owner and must be paid in full upon arrival. Payment methods include cashier's check, traveler's check, money order, personal check, or cash.
Seeing-eye dogs (and other service animals) are accepted with certain provisions, including making advanced arrangements and verifying availability and cost. For further information, visit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, opens in a new window or call 808-483-7151.
$125 each way (cabin), $200 each way domestic $200 each way Int'l (cargo)
800-221-1212
