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Service and Support Animals   

Emotional Support Animals (ESAN) and Trained Service Animals (SVAN)

Delta only accepts Trained Service Animals (SVAN). 

  • Customers booking travel 48 hours or more prior to departure must submit the Service Animal Air Travel form in advance for validation.
  • Customers who book travel less than 48 hours prior to departure may present this documentation at the check-in counter or the departure gate. 
  • For flights scheduled for eight hours or more, customers must also submit a DOT Relief Attestation Form attesting that the trained service animal will not relieve itself in the aircraft or can do so in a sanitary manner. 

Additional Information Regarding Trained Service Animal Policy

  • Trained service animals are defined as dogs, regardless of breed, specifically trained to assist a person with a disability.
  • Delta has lifted its ban on pit bull type dogs for SVANs provided they meet documentation and behavior requirements for trained service animals; however, in line with Delta’s current policy, pit bull type dogs will not be allowed to travel as PECTs.
  • A customer with a disability using a trained service animal (SVAN) may be seated anywhere in their cabin of purchase except an exit row. This includes Delta One, Business or First Class. 
  • Delta will continue to deny boarding to any trained service animal that poses a threat or demonstrates behavior that is aggressive or inappropriate in a public setting (barking, growling, uncontrolled bodily functions, etc.). ​
  • Delta will continue to work with its Advisory Board on Disability to ensure this new rule is implemented in a manner that improves the travel experience for all our customers.

Other Helpful Information - Flying with a Trained Service Animal

  • Limit of 2 SVANs (dogs only) will be accepted 
  • Customers may travel with up to two (s) SVANs and one (1) PETC if all restrictions and conditions are met
    • Final approval for travel is subject to airport authorization that all restrictions and conditions are met
  • SVANs will be accepted regardless of breed  
  • A SVAN in training does not meet qualifications for a trained animal and cannot ride in cabin. Delta will permit a SVAN in training provided it is traveling with a professional trainer en route to its owner.
  • All animals must be able to fit safely on the floor in the foot space of the customer. 
  • Service animals must remain with the passenger at all times.
    • Unaccompanied animals are not permitted in the cabin.
PNR and Other Documentation Requirements

Customers traveling with a trained service or emotional support or psychiatric service animal must contact Global Sales Support or Delta Reservations prior to departure, to advise that they are traveling so that the customer’s PNR is properly documented. 

Seat Assignment and Seating Restrictions

A customer traveling with a service animal must have a seat assigned prior to departure. If a customer is traveling with a service animal they should:

  • Select a seat that offers space for their animal.
    • Service and support animals must be seated in the floor space below a seat, or in a passenger’s lap. 
    • The size of the animal must not exceed the “footprint” of the passenger’s seat.

With larger service or support animals or for passengers with multiple service animals, we may need to re-accommodate a customer if the animal encroaches on other passengers or extends into aisles, which would be a violation of FAA regulations. 

No animals are allowed to occupy seats that are designed for passengers.

If a customer needs additional time to board the aircraft, pre-boarding is available.  Please advise the customer to arrive at the gate with enough time to make arrangements with the gate agents prior to departure.  

NOTE: If a customer encounters any issues with their service animal while at the airport or on board, please advise them to speak to a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). These trained Delta representatives are ready to assist passengers with accessibility rights and needs.

Unacceptable Service/Support Animals

Delta does not accept the following as trained service animals. These animals pose safety and/or public health concerns.  If you have additional questions, please contact the accessibility assistance line at 404-209-3434 or Delta Reservations. 

  • Hedgehogs
  • Ferrets
  • Insects
  • Rodents
  • Snakes
  • Spiders
  • Sugar gliders
  • Reptiles
  • Amphibians (frogs, etc.)
  • Goats
  • Non-household birds (farm poultry, waterfowl, game bird, & birds of prey)
  • Animals improperly cleaned and/or with a foul odor
  • Animals with tusk or hooves
Inappropriate Service Animal Behavior

Delta understands how important trained service animals are to customers. We will only refuse transportation of a trained service animal if it engages in disruptive or aggressive behavior such as: 

  • Growling 
  • Jumping on passengers 
  • Relieving themselves in the gate area or cabin
  • Barking excessively, not in response to a handler’s need or distress
  • Eating off seatback tray tables
Location Restrictions and International Travel Requirements

It is important to remember that some locations such as Hawaii, the U.K. and other island nations have additional requirements and quarantine laws that may not permit the entry or transit of animals. See Pet Travel Health Requirements for more information. Contact Delta at 404-209-3434 or visit the local government’s consulate website to learn the requirements for any transit points as well as for your final destination. 

In addition, acceptance policies for trained service animals may vary by country. Prior to purchasing a ticket, contact Global Sales Support or Delta Reservations for assistance with appropriate information concerning transportation of any service or support animals outside of the U.S.

Service and Support Animal FAQs

Some helpful Service and Support Animal FAQs are available on delta.com.

Additional Resources

Additional information is available for transporting non-service animals as Pets in Cabin (PETC) or Pets in Hold (AVIH) or transporting pets via Delta Cargo.

CDC Requirements for Dogs Entering the U.S.

The CDC has specific documentation requirements and recently provided updated requirements that apply to all dogs, including trained service animals (SVAN), that are traveling to the United States starting August 1, 2024.

For complete information regarding this CDC policy as it pertains to SVANs, visit the Pet Policies page.

Partner Airlines

For information on Service and Support Animals while flying on our partner airlines, visit their respective website:

 
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