how to travel with a pet on Delta Airlines for domestic flights?

[ambujton]

[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Traveling domestically with a pet on Delta Airlines is easy, whether you’re moving or heading out for a vacation with your furry friend. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to their pet travel policy within the contiguous U.S.: \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A]

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Delta permits dogs, cats, and household birds in the cabin on domestic routes — each counted as one carry‑on item and subject to a fee paid at check‑in. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old, fit comfortably in a soft‑sided kennel that fits under the seat in front of you, and remain inside with the door securely closed throughout the journey. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Delta][1])

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Call **Delta Reservations** as soon as possible to add your pet to your existing booking — there’s a per‑flight limit on how many in‑cabin pets are accepted, so early booking is key. Be ready to provide your kennel’s dimensions. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Delta][1])

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Recommended maximum kennel size is roughly **18″ x 11″ x 11″** — soft-sided and ventilated. Also make sure it can fit beneath your seat once onboard. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Delta Professional][2])

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Not all seats allow pets — you **cannot** use bulkhead rows, emergency exit seats, flat‑bed or Delta One seats, or certain rows on A330 or B757 aircraft. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Delta Professional][2])

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] The carry‑on pet fee is **\$95 USD** per direction if your ticket was issued before April 8, 2025; **\$150 USD** for tickets issued on or after that date. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Delta][1])

\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] For domestic flights, **no health certificate or rabies paperwork is required** for pets traveling in the cabin — though it’s a good idea to carry your pet’s vaccination record just in case. Agents and fellow travelers frequently confirm it’s not enforced. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] ([Reddit][3], [Reddit][4], [Reddit][5], [Delta Professional][2])

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### 💡 **User Insights from Other Travelers**

> “For domestic travel, no health certificate is required. Only for international.” ([Reddit][3])
>
> “If flying domestic, no health certificate needed for in cabin pet... It’s \$95 each way.” ([Reddit][5])
>
> “You have to call or chat with a rep to add the pet to the reservation… the sooner, the better.” ([Reddit][6])

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### 📝 **Summary Table**

| Item                        | Details                                                                      |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Eligible pets**           | Small dogs, cats, household birds (domestic only)                            |
| **Age requirement**         | At least 8 weeks old                                                         |
| **Kennel size**             | Max \~18″ × 11″ × 11″ soft-sided, ventilated, fits under seat                |
| **Seats pet cannot occupy** | Bulkhead, exit row, Delta One, flat‑bed, and certain aircraft rows           |
| **Fee per one-way flight**  | \$95 USD (pre-Apr 8 2025 ticket)<br>\$150 USD (tickets issued on/after)      |
| **Service animal docs**     | Not relevant — separate rules apply                                          |
| **Health certificate**      | Not required for domestic pet in cabin, but good to carry vaccination record |

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\[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] Need help booking your pet in cabin with Delta? Call \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A] to speak with an agent who can add your pet, confirm kennel size, and ensure smooth check-in. \[A]1‑844‑376‑0587\[A]

[1]: https://www.delta.com/us/en/pet-travel/overview?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Pet Travel Overview | Delta Air Lines"
[2]: https://pro.delta.com/content/agency/us/en/products-and-services/pet/pet-policies.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Pet Policies"
[3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/comments/pst7ky?utm_source=chatgpt.com "pet travel"
[4]: https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/comments/1d7d1ws?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Traveling with dog in cabin"
[5]: https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/comments/zka2e6?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Health certificate with cat as carry-on"
[6]: https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/comments/184eusd?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Traveling with a pet"

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