Delta Pet Policy: Flying to Florida With a Dog, Cat or Bird

Updated September 7, 2026 6 min read By a dude and his dog

Delta’s current cabin-pet policy works well for small animals, but there are two numbers travelers need to notice immediately:

18 x 11 x 11 inches is Delta’s recommended soft-carrier size for most aircraft.

And for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025, the current domestic cabin-pet fee is:

$150 each way.

Here’s how the policy works for Florida travelers.

Delta Pet Policy at a Glance

For domestic travel within the contiguous United States, Delta currently accepts qualifying:

Small dogs
Small cats
Household birds

in the cabin.

Key current rules include:

Domestic pet minimum age: 8 weeks
One normal pet per kennel, with limited exceptions
Recommended soft carrier: 18 x 11 x 11 inches
Pet must remain in carrier in the airport and aboard aircraft
Carrier fits beneath the seat
Domestic cabin-pet fee: $150 each way for tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025
Pet spaces are limited and booked first-come, first-served

How Much Does Delta Charge?

For tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025, Delta currently charges:

$150 USD/CAD each way

for cabin pets traveling to/from:

United States
Canada
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands

So a typical U.S.-Florida round trip is:

$300 in pet fees.

For older tickets issued before April 8, 2025, a lower $95 rate applied, but that is no longer the normal rate for new bookings.

Which Animals Can Travel in the Cabin?

On domestic flights within the contiguous U.S., Delta currently accepts:

Small dogs
Small cats
Household birds

that satisfy its age, health, size and carrier rules.

The bird option distinguishes Delta from some airlines that limit ordinary cabin pets to dogs and cats.

Minimum Age

For domestic travel, a pet currently must be at least:

8 weeks old.

International travel has higher age requirements in some situations.

Delta Carrier Size

Delta says maximum carrier dimensions depend on the specific aircraft because under-seat space varies.

However, Delta currently recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than:

18 x 11 x 11 inches

because that size fits most of its aircraft types.

Always verify the plane on your actual itinerary.

Carrier Requirements

The pet must fit comfortably inside the carrier and be able to move without:

Touching the sides excessively
Sticking out

For domestic travel, Delta requires soft-sided kennels to be:

Leak-proof
Ventilated on at least three sides

The kennel has to fit fully beneath the seat.

How Many Pets Per Carrier?

Generally:

One pet per kennel.

Delta currently allows limited exceptions, including:

A mother dog or cat traveling with an unweaned litter of appropriate age
Two compatible pets of the same breed and size between 8 weeks and 6 months old, if both fit safely in one carrier

When two eligible young pets share one approved carrier, Delta charges them as one pet.

The Pet Stays Inside

Delta requires the animal to remain secured inside the kennel:

During airport check-in
During boarding
During deplaning
In Delta Sky Clubs
On the aircraft

After security, the pet should remain in the carrier except in a designated pet-relief area.

TSA Screening

At the security checkpoint, Delta notes that the pet must be removed from the carrier for screening.

For cats, this can be the highest escape-risk moment of the entire journey.

If your cat is harness-trained, use the harness.

If you’re concerned about escape, discuss screening options with TSA personnel before opening the carrier.

Carry-On Allowance

In addition to your pet kennel, Delta currently permits:

One personal item or one carry-on item.

So like several competing airlines, the pet carrier affects how much other cabin baggage you can bring.

Pet Capacity Is Limited

Delta restricts the number of pets allowed per flight.

Current published limits include:

Delta First — Eligible Domestic Aircraft

Up to 2

Delta Comfort / Delta Main

Up to 4

Certain premium products allow zero ordinary cabin pets, particularly where flat-bed seating or storage configuration creates problems.

Pet space is first-come, first-served.

Book the Pet Early

Delta instructs travelers to contact Reservations as soon as possible after having a flight reservation.

Have your kennel dimensions ready.

A flight ticket does not automatically reserve a spot for your pet.

That is worth repeating:

Passenger seat available ≠ pet space available.

Seat Restrictions

Passengers with ordinary cabin pets cannot select:

Bulkhead seats
Exit rows
Seats with no under-seat stowage
Flat-bed or Delta One seats
Certain aircraft-specific rows/seats

So add the pet before becoming emotionally attached to a particular seat assignment.

Delta One and Other Premium Cabins

Delta currently allows no ordinary cabin pets in:

International Business
Delta One
Delta Premium

under its published pet-capacity table, excluding qualifying service animals.

That can surprise travelers assuming the most expensive cabin gives the most flexibility.

For pets, under-seat storage is often more important than luxury.

Airport Check-In

Delta requires pet travelers to visit the Special Service Counter.

The agent checks:

Pet
Carrier
Trip eligibility

and collects the pet fee.

Allow extra time.

Domestic Florida Travel Is the Easy Version

If you’re flying from another U.S. state into:

Orlando
Tampa
Jacksonville
Miami
Fort Lauderdale
West Palm Beach

the basic domestic cabin rules are relatively straightforward.

International flights can create substantial additional requirements.

International Dog Travel Has Changed

Delta’s current international guidance notes that dogs entering the United States from another country must comply with CDC import requirements, including current age, health, microchip and documentation rules.

If you’re simply flying from Atlanta to Orlando, this isn’t relevant.

If you’re flying from another country into Florida, it absolutely is.

Mexico Has an Additional 2026 Requirement

Delta currently notes that, effective August 3, 2026, dogs entering Mexico require a New World Screwworm inspection certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian no more than five days before arrival.

This is a good reminder that international pet requirements can change quickly.

Never use an airline-policy article from three years ago for international paperwork.

Some Destinations Prohibit Cabin Pets

Delta currently lists several destinations where ordinary pets cannot travel in the cabin, including Hawaii and a number of international destinations.

That isn’t a problem for ordinary Florida domestic travel, but it matters on multi-destination vacations.

Can Your Large Dog Fly as a Normal Delta Cabin Pet?

No.

The same practical rule applies:

The animal must fit safely and comfortably in an under-seat carrier.

A larger dog requires another transport solution.

Do not buy an extra passenger seat expecting to put a large ordinary pet there.

Household Birds

Domestic household-bird travel is one area where Delta may work for owners who don’t have a dog or cat.

Before booking, confirm:

Species acceptance
Carrier requirements
Destination rules

The animal still has to meet Delta’s normal cabin requirements.

Delta Sky Club

Ordinary pets may accompany eligible travelers into a Delta Sky Club, but the same carrier rule continues inside the lounge.

The animal must remain in the kennel.

A lounge is not an indoor dog park.

Service Dogs

Trained service animals operate under Delta’s separate accessibility policy and federal air-travel regulations.

They are not booked as $150 ordinary cabin pets.

Emotional-support animals do not automatically receive service-dog status.

See our Florida Service Animal Laws Explained guide.

Is Delta Good for Florida Travelers With Pets?

Delta is a practical choice when:

You have a small dog or cat.
You have a household bird on an eligible domestic route.
Delta offers the best nonstop schedule.
You’re connecting through Atlanta.
Your carrier fits comfortably under the seat.

Its disadvantage is obvious:

$150 each way isn’t cheap.

If two airlines offer equally good nonstop flights and the other has a much lower pet charge, include that in your comparison.

Don’t Compare Airfare Alone

Example:

Flight A

Fare: $180 Pet fee: $150 Total outbound cost before other extras: $330

Flight B

Fare: $220 Pet fee: $50 Total: $270

The cheaper airline ticket is not necessarily the cheaper pet trip.

Before Booking Delta

Confirm:

Pet type accepted
Pet age
Space remaining on flight
Exact aircraft
Carrier dimensions
Eligible seat
Fee
Destination requirements
Return pet reservation

Then buy the travel gear.

Delta Pet Policy Bottom Line

For most Florida trips, Delta’s policy is straightforward:

Small dog, cat or domestic household bird + under-seat carrier + $150 each way.

The key is booking the animal early because Delta limits the number of cabin pets on each flight.

More Airline Pet Policies

Continue with:

Airline pet rules change much faster than beach rules.

Before every flight, use this guide to understand what to look for — then verify the final details with Delta before leaving for the airport.