Flying With a Dog on Delta: What I’ve Learned Flying Puglo Across Countries

I’ve flown with my rescue pug Puglo on Delta more times than I can count, on domestic routes across the U.S. and internationally out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Puglo has now visited 17 countries, and Delta has been part of that journey.

For another major US carrier, see my full breakdown of the American Airlines pet policy.

So while I’ll cover the full policy here, what I really want to give you is the practical, real-world picture of what flying with a pet on Delta actually looks like, from the booking call to the moment your dog falls asleep under the seat in front of you (Puglo does this every single time, bless him).

Flying a different carrier? I also wrote about what to know before flying United with your dog so you can compare the two.

Flying With Your Dog: The Cabin Travel Guide

Everything I’ve learned flying Puglo to 19 countries — carrier picks, booking tips, airport day, documentation, and what to do when things go sideways.

Get the guide →

Is Delta Actually a Good Airline for Dogs?

Short answer: yes, for small dogs flying in-cabin, Delta is one of the better options among U.S. carriers. The policy is clear, the staff have always been helpful in my experience, and the booking process is straightforward once you know how it works.

The thing I appreciate most is consistency. Every time I’ve called to add Puglo to a flight, the agents have been professional and the process has been the same. No surprises at check-in, no drama at the gate.

The main friction point is the fee, which jumped in April 2025, and the fact that you cannot add your pet online. Everything goes through a phone call. For international travel, there’s additional documentation to sort out depending on where you’re flying from.

But overall, if you’re traveling domestically with a small dog, Delta is a solid choice. If you’re flying internationally, it depends heavily on your route and your dog’s breed.

Delta’s Pet Policy in Plain English

Who Can Fly in the Cabin

Delta allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to fly in the cabin on most domestic routes. Your pet needs to fit comfortably in a soft-sided carrier that slides completely under the seat in front of you.

The key requirements:

• Your dog must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel
• The carrier must fit under the seat (dimensions vary by aircraft, more on this below)
• Your pet must stay in the carrier with the door secured for the entire flight
• Spots are limited and first-come, first-served so be sure to add your pet as soon you book your flight

Per-cabin limits (how many pets they allow on each flight)

• First Class domestic: 2 pet kennels
• Main Cabin / Comfort+: 4 pet kennels
• Delta One / Business / Premium Select (international): no pets allowed

The Brachycephalic Breed Rule

This is the section that causes the most confusion, and it’s especially relevant if you’re flying with a pug, French bulldog, Boston terrier, or any other snub-nosed breed.

Delta does not accept brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds in cargo. This means if your dog is a pug or similar breed, cargo is completely off the table. The only option is in-cabin travel.

The good news: in-cabin is the better option for pugs anyway. Puglo has never flown in cargo and never will. Flying in-cabin keeps him with me, in a temperature-controlled environment, where I can check on him throughout the flight.

If you’re unsure whether your dog’s breed qualifies as brachycephalic under Delta’s policy, call and ask before booking.

Current Fees (2026)

• Domestic U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, USVI: $150 each way (for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025)
• International routes: $200 each way

Fees are collected at check-in, not when you call to add your pet. They are non-refundable.

Yes, the fees went up. It used to be $95 domestic. It’s not ideal, but it is what it is.

Seat Restrictions

You cannot sit in the following seats when traveling with a pet in the cabin:

• Bulkhead seats
• Exit rows
• Seats marked “no stowage”
• Flat-bed or Delta One seats
• Specific restricted rows on certain aircraft (A330-200: rows 46-51; A330-300: rows 54-59; B757-200: center seats)

My go-to is a window seat in the main cabin. More foot space, your dog is less disturbed by people walking the aisle, and it’s easier to check on them during the flight.

How to Book Your Pet on Delta: Step by Step

Here’s the exact process I follow every time.

1. Book your own ticket first. You cannot add a pet at the time of booking online. Get your ticket sorted first.

2. Call Delta Reservations: 800-221-1212. This cannot be done online or through the app. You have to call. Have these ready before you dial:

• Your booking confirmation number
• Your carrier’s dimensions (length x width x height)
• Your dog’s breed and approximate weight

3. Confirm pet space is available. The agent will check whether a pet spot is open on your specific flight. This is why calling early matters. If the spots are full, you’ll need to rebook or choose a different flight. Delta has a 24hr cancellation policy, so always call to add your pet within this window.

4. Confirm the aircraft under-seat dimensions. Ask the agent to confirm the specific aircraft on your route and whether your carrier dimensions work for that plane.

5. Pay the fee at check-in, not on the call. The fee is collected when you check in at the airport. You won’t pay anything during the booking call.

In my experience, this whole call takes about 10 minutes. Delta agents are used to it. I’ve never had a frustrating booking call.

New to flying with your dog? I put together Flying With Your Dog: The Cabin Travel Guide covering everything from booking to landing, including checklists, carrier setup, and what to do if something goes wrong at the airport.

The Carrier: What I Use for Puglo

The carrier you choose matters more than most people realize. Not just for fitting under the seat, but for your dog’s actual comfort during the flight.

I use the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier. It’s what I’ve trusted for all of Puglo’s flights and it’s held up well across years of travel.

A few things to know about carrier sizing:

Delta recommends a maximum of 18″ x 11″ x 11″ for soft-sided carriers, but this is a guideline, not a guarantee. The actual under-seat space varies by aircraft. When you call to add your pet, confirm your carrier dimensions work for your specific plane.

For pug owners specifically: pugs are stocky and wide. A carrier that’s long enough may not give your dog enough width to be comfortable. Prioritize interior width when choosing a carrier.

I never let Puglo travel in just a collar. A chest harness is safer, and I explain my favorite in the best harness for pugs post.

Practical tips:

• Get your dog used to the carrier at home before the flight. Leave it open with a blanket inside for a week before travel.
• Put something familiar inside, a worn t-shirt, a favorite toy. Puglo has a small blanket that goes with him every flight.
• The carrier counts as your personal item, so plan your other bags accordingly. You’re allowed one carry-on in addition to the pet carrier.

Airport Day: What Actually Happens

Check-in: You need to check in at the counter with a pet, even if you’d normally use the app or a kiosk. The agent will confirm your pet, collect the fee, and note it on your boarding pass. This is always smooth in my experience. Budget a little extra time, but it’s rarely more than a few minutes longer than a normal check-in.

TSA Security: You’ll need to take your dog out of the carrier and carry them through the metal detector while the carrier goes through the X-ray machine. Puglo is pretty calm about this. Hold your dog firmly. Some dogs get anxious at this moment, so keep your energy calm and move efficiently.

At the Gate: At the gate, I find a seat with a little space, set the carrier next to me, and let Puglo settle before boarding.

Boarding: I always board early. Most Delta gate agents will let you board with the first group if you ask, even if you’re not in a priority boarding group. Just mention you have a pet in the cabin and ask if you can board early to get settled. Not everyone will allow it, but many do. It helps to get your carrier situated under the seat before the main crowd boards.

On the Plane: Slide the carrier under the seat in front of you. Puglo goes in, I zip it up, and within about 10 minutes of takeoff he’s asleep. I am not exaggerating. He is an incredible traveler.

I don’t feed him a full meal before flying. A small snack a few hours before is fine, but a full stomach on a flight is uncomfortable for dogs. I also limit water in the hours before boarding since there’s no mid-flight potty option.

Flying Internationally With Your Dog on Delta: What Changes

This is where it gets more complicated, and where my experience flying Puglo out of Puerto Vallarta is directly relevant.

The Fee Increase

International flights cost $200 each way instead of $150. Factor this into your trip budget.

Routes Where Pets Aren’t Allowed in the Cabin

Delta does not permit pets in the cabin on flights to or from:

• United Kingdom
• Australia / New Zealand
• Hawaii (on most routes)
• United Arab Emirates
• Hong Kong
• Dominican Republic (embargo as of January 2025)
• South Africa

If your destination is on this list, Delta is not an option for your pet. Service dogs may be except.

Other International Documentation

For other international routes, documentation requirements vary by destination country. Some require:

• A health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet (often within 10 days of departure)
• Microchip
• Vaccination records (rabies especially)
• Import permits from the destination country

If you’re returning to the U.S. from another country, all dogs must have a CDC Dog Import Form completed, be microchipped, be at least 6 months old, and appear healthy on arrival.

Planning to fly internationally with your dog? My Dog Travel Academy covers documentation by country, airline comparisons, and the exact process I use to take Puglo across borders without the last-minute scramble.

Flying Out of Mexico: The Screwworm Certificate

This is something that caught me off guard the first time and I want to flag it clearly because it affects anyone flying with a dog from Mexico.

Due to a New World Screwworm outbreak, dogs flying from Mexico to the United States now require a screwworm inspection certificate from a USDA-recognized veterinarian. This requirement is relatively new and it changed what used to be a very easy process.

Mexico and the U.S. used to have a streamlined arrangement where dogs flying between the two countries didn’t need a health certificate. That simplicity is gone. Now you need to find a vet that is authorized to issue this specific certificate, which is not every vet in Mexico, make an appointment, and get it done a few days before your flight.

My experience: I got Puglo’s certificate a few days before our Puerto Vallarta to Atlanta flight. It took some research to find the right vet since not all clinics are authorized to issue it.

The certificate requirement is current as of 2026, but these regulations change, so always verify directly with the USDA APHIS website and your airline before you travel.

Other International Documentation

For other international routes with a dog, documentation requirements vary by destination country. Some require:

• A health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet (often within 10 days of departure)
• Microchip
• Vaccination records (rabies especially)
• Import permits from the destination country

If you’re returning to the U.S. from another country, all dogs must have a CDC Dog Import Form completed, be microchipped, be at least 6 months old, and appear healthy on arrival.

I have a full breakdown of country-specific pet entry requirements in my flying with dogs internationally guide.

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals on Delta

If you’re searching “flying with a service dog on Delta” or wondering about emotional support animals, here’s the short version:

ESAs are no longer recognized as service animals on Delta. This policy changed in January 2021. If your dog is an emotional support animal, it flies as a regular pet with the standard fee and carrier requirements. These are the airlines that still accept emotional support animals in cabin.

Trained service dogs (dogs specifically trained to assist a person with a disability) are a different category with a separate process. You’ll need to submit the DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form to Delta in advance through their website. Service dogs always fly for free and do not need to be in a carrier.

For the full details on Delta’s service animal policy, go directly to Delta.

My Tips For Flying With a Dog on Delta

1. Call to add your pet the same day you book your ticket. Spots are limited and they fill up, especially on popular routes.
2. Always ask the agent to confirm your specific aircraft and under-seat dimensions. Aircraft swap happens. If Delta changes the plane on your route, call back and reconfirm.
3. Book a window seat. More room for the carrier, less foot traffic disturbing your dog.
4. Skip the big meal before flying. Small snack only, a few hours before. It makes the flight more comfortable for your dog and reduces the urgency of a post-landing bathroom break.
5. Put something that smells like you in the carrier. A worn t-shirt works perfectly. It helps anxious dogs settle faster.
6. Arrive earlier than usual. Pet check-in adds time. Not a lot, but enough to stress you out if you’re cutting it close.
7. For flat-faced breeds: cargo is not an option on Delta, ever. In-cabin only. Make sure every flight you book has in-cabin pet availability before you commit.
8. Flying from Mexico: sort the screwworm certificate at least a week in advance. Not all vets can issue it. Give yourself time to find the right one.
9. Have your vet contact information accessible on your phone during travel. If anything comes up at check-in or the gate, being able to call your vet immediately helps.
10. Take a photo of your carrier dimensions and keep it in your phone. Agents sometimes ask, and having it ready saves the scramble.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Flying with a pet on Delta is manageable once you know the process. The booking call is easy, check-in has always been smooth in my experience, and Puglo is asleep before we reach cruising altitude. The fee increase hurts a little, but the consistency and reliability make Delta worth it for our routes.

If you’re flying domestically with a small dog, Delta is one of the better U.S. carriers for pet travel. If you’re flying internationally, do your homework on your specific route before booking, especially if you’re departing from Mexico.

Ready to travel the world with your dog? Check out my Flying With Your Dog: The Cabin Travel Guide and the full Dog Travel Academy for everything Puglo and I have learned across 17 countries.

Traveling with your dog? Check out these guides!

• 9 Tips for Taking Your Dog to Europe
• 9 Tips for Flying With Your Dog in Cabin
• Dog-Friendly Cruises and Ferries Around the World