Traveling with your beloved pet on Delta Airlines requires understanding their pet travel policies, especially when it comes to fees. Delta Airlines, while committed to ensuring the safe transport of animals, has specific regulations and fees for pets traveling in the cargo hold. This guide will delve into the essential aspects of Delta’s pet fees and policies for “Pets in Hold” service, providing you with a clear understanding for your pet’s journey.
Understanding Delta’s Pet Policy for Checked Baggage (Pets in Hold/AVIH)
Delta Airlines “Pets in Hold” service, also known as AVIH (Animal Vivant In Hold), is primarily available for active U.S. military personnel, active U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSO), and their spouses with active transfer orders. This service also extends to trained service animals or support animals that cannot travel in the cabin. It’s important to note that if your pet does not fall under these categories, they are not permitted to travel as checked baggage. In such cases, you must utilize Delta Cargo for animal transport as freight.
Eligibility for Pets in Hold
For U.S. Military Personnel and Foreign Service Officers, Delta accepts pets as checked baggage when accompanied by active transfer orders and upon payment of the applicable pet fee. It’s crucial to ensure your pet complies with all federal regulations, including possessing the necessary documentation as per current government requirements and regulatory standards. Eligible personnel must book their pet as checked baggage at least 48 hours prior to their departure.
Delta permits the transport of two kennels per flight as checked baggage for eligible customers. However, it’s worth noting that giant-sized kennels may only be shipped via Delta Cargo due to aircraft and class of service restrictions.
Accepted Animals for AVIH
The following animals are accepted as checked baggage under the Pets in Hold program, within domestic U.S. travel unless specified:
- Cats (excluding snub-nosed breeds; refer to list of relevant breeds)
- Dogs (excluding pug or snub-nosed breeds; refer to list of relevant breeds)
- Household birds (domestic U.S. only)
- Guinea pigs (domestic U.S. only)
- Rabbits (domestic U.S. only)
- Hamsters (domestic U.S. only)
- Marmots (domestic U.S. only)
Any other animals, including reptiles and primates such as lemurs, monkeys, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees, must be transported through Delta Cargo.
Delta Airlines Pet Fee Structure
Understanding the pet fees is crucial for planning your travel budget. Delta Airlines charges a pet fee each time your pet is checked in at the airport, and these fees are assessed at every stopover point. Remember that pet fees are not included in your free baggage allowance, even if you are a Delta American Express cardholder. No excess size or weight fees are applied to pets traveling as checked baggage, only the standard pet fee.
Here’s a breakdown of the Delta Airlines Pet Fees based on destination:
- Within the U.S. or Between the U.S. /Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico: $200 USD
- Between the U.S. and Canada/Caribbean/other International Destinations: $200 USD/CAD/EUR*
- Between the U.S. and Brazil: $150 USD
*For routes exiting Canada, the fee will be charged in CAD, and for routes exiting Europe, the fee will be charged in EUR. It’s important to note that the fees are determined by the contract of carriage in effect at the time your ticket is issued and are subject to change. Always verify the most current fees when booking your pet’s travel.
A dog safely inside a pet carrier, highlighting Delta’s pet travel service.
Pets in Hold and Connecting Flights: What to Consider
Navigating connecting flights with pets in hold requires careful planning. Delta Airlines has specific restrictions to ensure your pet’s well-being during travel:
- Limited Connections: Delta will not accept animals on itineraries with more than one connection.
- Separate Tickets: Generally, pets cannot be checked through on separate tickets, as separate fees will apply for each ticket. You will typically need to collect your pet and re-check them with the operating carrier of your next ticket. However, an exception may be made if separate tickets are issued on DL006 ticket stock and all flights are Delta-operated.
- Interline Transfers: Delta generally does not check pets through to other airlines, with the exception of SkyTeam partner airlines. If you are transferring to a SkyTeam partner airline, it’s essential to contact Global Sales Support or Delta Reservations to confirm the pet in hold requirements and acceptance policies. You will also need to verify pet acceptance and any applicable charges with the connecting airline.
For connections involving other airlines, you must claim your pet from Delta at the connecting point and re-check them with the other airline, ensuring you allow at least 45 minutes beyond the standard connecting time for this process.
Important Note: Delta and Delta Cargo do not accept warm-blooded animals on flights with an average flight time exceeding 12 hours. This is a critical factor to consider when planning long-distance travel with your pet.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pet on Delta Airlines requires careful preparation and understanding of their Pets in Hold policy and associated fees. By planning ahead, particularly regarding booking times, fees, accepted animals, and connection policies, you can ensure a smoother travel experience for both you and your pet. Always confirm the most up-to-date policies and fees directly with Delta Airlines before your travel date, as policies and fees are subject to change. For pets not eligible for AVIH or for routes not supported by this service, remember to explore Delta Cargo as a viable alternative for pet transport.
