Delta Airlines Pet Information for Carrying Pets While You Fly
Perhaps you are relocating, or maybe you own a show dog or cat. Maybe you are going on an extended vacation. Whatever the reason, you may find it necessary to take your pet with you when you fly. Delta Airlines has very specific rules and regulations in place to ensure that your pet travels safely and comfortably.
Health Regulations
Some states require your pet to have a recent certificate of health and rabies vaccination from your veterinarian. Traveling pet owners can ask their veterinarian about these requirements, or can call the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 800-545-8732, or the Department of Agriculture of the state to which they are traveling. For travel to Hawaii and international travel, some destinations may have quarantine requirements ranging from a few days to six months. Pet owners should check on this information before planning to fly with a pet. If the pet will be traveling with a person, they can call 800-221-1212 for flights within the United States, or 800-241-4141 for international flights. If the pet will be shipped alone, owners can call 888-736-3738 (Delta Pet First) for more information.
Kennel Rules
Delta has rules about how many animals and kennels can be on a given flight; the size and material of a kennel; how it should be labeled; and the conditions under which the pet can travel. For example, according to Delta's pet travel weather restrictions, certain pug- or snub-nosed breeds are not allowed to travel if the temperature on any part of the trip will be above 70 degrees, as they do not do well in hot temperatures; there are restrictions on all pet travel during the summer months.
There is a one-way fee for checking a pet on all flights--$200 U.S., Canadian or Euro for all travel except Brazil, whose fee is $150, and Asia, where the fee is $230, as of 2010. Other fees and charges may apply and may be due upon arrival before a pet will be released to its owner.
Pets as Carry-on Baggage
Delta allows travelers to bring dogs, cats and household birds on board as carry-on baggage, provided the animal is small enough to fit in a kennel stowed under the seat in front of you. Size regulations vary among the different types of aircraft Delta uses, so travelers should call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 to determine whether their pet's kennel will fit. Delta says passengers can carry two small animals in one kennel provided they each weigh less than 20 pounds. As of 2010, pets can travel as carry-on baggage for a one-way fee of $125 U.S. or Canadian within the United States and Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; $200 U.S., Canadian or Euro for travel outside the United States, except Brazil, where the fee is $75, and for Asian flights, where the fee is $100. There may be other fees that can be charged upon arrival.
Carry-on pets must remain in their kennels with the door secured in Delta boarding and other waiting areas of the airport terminal and during all flights.
Pets as Checked Baggage
Following weather and temperature, kennel size and material, health and other rules will keep your pet comfortable and safe in Delta's temperature-controlled, pressurized baggage area. Different aircraft have different rules about what kind of kennels can be on each flight, so you must check when you book your flight. There are also regulations about time allotments and documentation for connecting flights.
Animals allowed on Delta as checked baggage include dogs, cats, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters. Primates and reptiles cannot be transported as baggage.
Pets as Cargo
Giant or cold-blooded animals, or those traveling without people, must travel as cargo. Primates cannot be shipped. A Delta reservation agent can help pet owners determine whether their pet must travel as cargo. Owners can visit Delta's Cargo page on their website to determine the shipping rate for their pet (see Resources).
Tips
Pet owners can take steps to help their pets prepare for air travel. Delta's website suggests keeping pets calm before the flight. Owners should make sure the pet has spent time in the kennel and will not be scared of it. Pet owners should bring a leash to the airport and take their pet for a walk if possible.
Another important preparation is to make sure your pet's kennel is well labeled. Finally, take your pet's leash, choke collar or muzzle with you--these items can be unsafe if left in the crate with a stressed-out pet.
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