Delta Pet Policy: 5 Things To Know Before Flying With a Cat

Whether you have an upcoming flight on Delta Airlines or you’re trying to find the most pet-friendly airline, there are a few things you should know before heading to the airport with your cat.

In this article, I’ll take a close look at Delta Airlines’ pet policy including how to book your flight with your cat, how much you can expect to pay for a carry-on pet fee, and what size cat carrier you should bring.

Flying With a Cat on Delta

Delta is one of the most popular airlines today, and with good reason. According to J.D. Power’s 2022 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, Delta airlines ranks among the top three airlines for highest customer satisfaction in all of the surveyed categories. Additionally, Delta is a pet-friendly airline.

You can fly with a cat on Delta Airlines for $95 per carrier each way. Additionally, you’ll have to get an airline-approved cat carrier for the trip.

Before you check into your flight, take some extra time to prepare for your trip. Here are five things you need to know about flying with a cat on Delta:

Delta Airlines Pet Policy
Delta Pet Fee
Delta Pet Carrier Size Requirements
How To Fly With a Cat on Delta
Tips for Flying With Your Cat

Below, you’ll find detailed information on how to fly with your cat on Delta and how you can best prepare for the trip.

Delta Airlines Pet Policy

Delta has a cat-friendly pet policy that allows you to fly with your cat in the cabin with you. Your cat will take the place of your carry-on during the flight, but you’ll still be able to bring a personal item as well.

Delta’s pet policy outlines the requirements that your cat must meet in order to be able to fly. These rules are in place to help both you and your cat have a safe, smooth trip.

Here are Delta’s Pet Policy requirements:

Your cat must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel
Your cat must be at least 16 weeks old if you’re entering the U.S. internationally or at least 15 weeks old if you’re entering the European Union
One cat per kennel unless you have a female cat with an unweaned litter between 10 weeks and 6 months old
Two cats of the same breed and size between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months old can travel in one kennel if they’re small enough to fit and compatible (charged as one pet)

The only major exception to Delta’s pet policy applies if you’re traveling to or from certain international locations (and/or Hawaii). In these instances, pets can only travel as checked cargo and not in the cabin with you.

You can see a full list of these international destinations on Delta’s website. For more information on traveling internationally with your cat on Delta, visit the company’s International & Connection Pet Travel page.

Delta Pet Fee

No matter which airline you end up flying with, bringing your cat onboard with you won’t be free. However, Delta offers one of the most affordable pet fees compared to other popular airlines. So how much does it cost to fly with a cat on Delta?

The carry-on pet fee at Delta Airlines is $95 per kennel. This fee applies if your flying to/from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virigin Islands. The pet fee for international flights is $200.

You won’t be able to pay the pet fee when you book your flight online ahead of time. Instead, you’ll pay it at the airport during check-in.

In addition to researching the pet fees at Delta Airlines, I also checked out the pet carrier fees at a few other popular airlines to see how Delta compares:

Alaska Airlines: $100
American Airlines: $125
Delta: $95
Frontier: $99
Southwest: $95
Spirit: $125
United: $125

Fortunately, Delta is one of the cheapest airlines to fly with your cat. However, it’ll still add nearly $100 per kennel to the total cost of your ticket.

Delta Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Long before you check in to your flight, you’ll need to get a cat carrier that’s airline-approved. You can check out my top picks for airline-approved cat carriers, but be sure to buy one that fits Delta’s specific requirements:

Delta recommends a soft-sided cat carrier no larger than 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types. However, you should check your flight’s aircraft dimensions to ensure your kennel will fit.

While Delta recommends a soft-sided carrier, you can still use a hard-sided kennel as long as it comfortably fits under the seat in front of you. You’ll have to contact Delta directly to add your cat to your plane ticket anyway, so when you do, be sure to ask the representative about the pet carrier size requirements on your specific aircraft.

In addition to making sure your carrier is small enough to fly, your pet must be comfortable and safe. Your pet carrier should be well-ventilated, and your cat should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down in it.

To learn more about how to choose the best cat carrier for your flight, check out my guide on how to tell if your cat carrier is airline-approved.

How To Fly With a Cat on Delta

Is Your Pet Carrier Airline Approved? How To Find Out

If you plan on flying with your cat on Delta, you can book your ticket as normal for your flight. You won’t be able to pay for your ticket and the additional pet fee together. Instead, you’ll book your ticket in advance and pay the additional pet fee during check-in at the airport.

I went through the process of booking a ticket with Delta to see how it would go, and there was never an option during the booking process to indicate that I’d be bringing a pet carrier.

Instead, you should contact Delta as soon as possible to let them know you plan on flying with a cat.

You can add your cat to your trip by calling Delta at 800-221-1212. You can also contact Delta directly by sending them a message online or in the Delta app (App Store or Google Play). Assistance is available 24/7.

On the day of the flight, arrive at the airport extra early. When you check in with your cat, a Delta agent will make sure your cat and kennel meet all of the requirements to fly. Then, they’ll collect the pet fee.

Once you’re checked in, you’ll head to TSA like normal. There, you will have to take your cat out of their carrier. After you’ve made it through TSA, your cat can go back in their carrier. Then, they’ll have to stay in their kennel at the airport and on your flight.

Tips for Flying With Your Cat

Once you’ve booked your flight, there are a few things you can do to help your cat prepare for the trip:

Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Before you make plans to travel with your cat, make sure they’re healthy enough to fly. Book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to get a checkup, make sure your cat’s microchip information is up-to-date, and get any necessary paperwork. For Delta, you’ll only need a health certificate if you’re flying to a destination with additional restrictions.
Get your carrier early. The airport and the airplane are both going to be stressful for your cat, especially if they aren’t used to being in hectic or new spaces. For this reason, it’s important to get your airline-approved cat carrier as soon as possible. The earlier you buy your carrier, the more time your cat will have to get used to it. Once you have your carrier, set it out in your house and encourage your cat to explore it with food and treats.
Acclimate your cat to the car. If your cat isn’t a frequent traveler, they may be stressed just leaving the house. Start introducing travel to your cat as soon as possible before the flight. You can start by closing them in their carrier, picking them up, taking them outside, putting them in the car, and taking short trips around the neighborhood. Take it slow, and understand it may take days or weeks for your cat to get completely comfortable in the car. For more tips, check out my full guide on how to travel with a cat in the car.
Use a cat calming aid like Feliway. Many veterinarian offices and cat owners use Feliway to help cats stay calm. You can buy Feliway spray at Amazon and spray it in your cat’s carrier and your car to help them stay calm the day of the trip. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it on the plane. If your cat is particularly anxious, talk to your vet during your cat’s appointment about a prescription sedative for the day of the flight.
Withhold your cat’s breakfast on flight day. To reduce the likelihood of your cat getting sick on the trip, withhold their breakfast the morning of. You can feed them a full meal no sooner than four hours before you leave, but avoid feeding them right before you head out the door unless told otherwise by your veterinarian.

When it comes to the airport and plane, you’ll have to keep your cat in their carrier (outside of TSA). Consider packing some cat treats and small toys that they’re familiar with to help let them know they’re okay throughout the day.

Additionally, if you can pack a coat or familiar blanket, your cat may appreciate having their carrier covered in the airport or on the plane. This will help reduce some of the stressful stimuli around them, plus being surrounded by a familiar smell will be comforting for your cat.

Final Thoughts

If you have to fly with your cat, booking a trip with Delta is a great option. Your cat can fly with you in the cabin as long as their carrier fits comfortably under the seat in front of you.

Delta’s pet fee is $95 per kennel. While that’s a lot to add to your total ticket price, it’s still one of the cheapest options for flying with your cat compared to other popular airlines. Plus, Delta’s overall customer satisfaction scores are exceptional.

While you’re getting ready for your flight, make sure you take your cat to the veterinarian. You may even consider talking to your vet about sedatives for your cat on the day of the trip.

Additionally, contact Delta as soon as possible to let them know you’ll be flying with your cat. Figure out the size requirements for your specific aircraft, and then purchase your airline-approved cat carrier as early as possible to help your cat start getting familiar with it.

As a general rule, Delta recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18” x 11” x 11”.