Trained Service Animals

Find guidance below on your service animal eligibility, step-by-step form instructions and generally what to expect when flying with a service animal.

 

In-page Links

Submit a Service Animal Request
We understand how important your service animals are to you. Before you submit a service animal request, please review eligibility and complete the necessary forms from the DOT linked below.

1. Review Eligibility


To ensure a safe and enjoyable journey for all, your service animal must adhere to our eligibility requirements. Your service animal must:

  • Be a dog fully-trained to assist a person with a disability (service animals in training are not eligible)
  • Be up-to-date on all vaccinations
  • Fit within the foot space (“footprint”) of your seat and not intrude into the aisles or space of other customers
  • Refrain from displaying aggressive or inappropriate animal behavior, Go to footer note

Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals. Please review the Pet Travel Guidelines for how to travel with your pet.

2. Download and Complete DOT Service Animal Forms


The DOT requires the Service Animal Air Travel form for all service animals. Flights that are 8 hours or more also require the Relief Attestation form. Submit completed forms and a service request to Delta at least 48 hours before departure. If you need help with the forms, please bring printed copies on your day of travel to the airport, where an agent will assist you. (If you prefer not to print the form, first download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete the form on your computer, and then submit it to Delta electronically).

3. Submit Forms and Service Request to Delta

Select “Submit Completed Forms” below to send us your DOT forms and complete your service request. Be sure to check the “Trained Service Animal” box in Step 4 as you complete all the steps.

Review Service Animal Guidelines
Know more about what to expect when traveling with a service animal.

All traveling service animals must be fully vaccinated and at least 4 months old. (Puppies may be vaccinated for rabies at 3 months old, and then a 30-day wait period must apply for the vaccine to become fully effective before they’re allowed to fly at 4 months). If the dog is older than 15 months and previously vaccinated for rabies, but the vaccination has since expired, they are allowed to fly immediately following a rabies booster shot without a 30-day wait period.

Please complete the DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form to attest to the animal’s health and vaccine status. 
 

You may not sit in an exit row when traveling with a service animal. If an exit row seat is selected, you’ll be reassigned to another seat at the gate. Service animals may not occupy another customer’s space at any time and should be placed in your lap or on the floor (foot space) in front of you. Animals are not permitted to eat from tray tables. 

If a single seat cannot accommodate both you and your service animal without causing an obstruction, you may:

  • Purchase an additional ticket to allow your service animal to occupy the floor space in front of the purchased seat (tickets should be purchased together to receive the same rate)
  • Check your service animal to a holding area below the cabin without additional charges

Your service animal will not be permitted to fly if it displays disruptive or aggressive behavior, such as:  

  • Growling
  • Biting
  • Lunging
  • Jumping on others
  • Relieving itself in any area not designated as an approved animal relief area
  • Barking excessively (except when in response to a handler’s needs)
  • Eating off seatback tray tables
Some countries prohibit the entry or transit of animals. Visit the local government’s consulate to review regulations for international animal travel and also review our International Animal Travel Guidelines.

Understand Travel with a Service Animal
From check-in through arrival, we want you and your service animal to feel well-cared for as you travel.

With a service animal you can check in as usual, whether from home on the Fly Delta app or at the airport. You’re not required to visit the check-in counter for your service animal, but we recommend having the necessary DOT form handy to help you save time at the airport. For assistance filling out forms, feel free to speak to a Delta agent.  

Service animals do not count against your carry-on allowance. We don’t charge fees for transporting trained service animals or their assistive devices, even if they are checked. Your service animal’s kennel, whether occupied or not, is considered an assistive device and exempt from baggage fees. Additional but essential items for your animal, such as a bed or food, travel free of charge.

Pet Relief Areas

All airports in the U.S. offer designated animal relief areas. Delta agents can help you find these areas and also escort you through security if needed.

You may elect to board during the pre-boarding call or wait to board with your zone number.
Service animals may not occupy a seat or encroach upon another customer’s space in any way. They are allowed on your lap, in your foot space or in a neighboring foot space if you purchased an additional ticket for your animal (if seat is vacant). Your animal must remain with you at all times.  

If you had assistance boarding, an airport representative can also assist you in deplaning.

To find the nearest animal relief area or for additional support, please speak with a Delta agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, a service animal in training does not qualify as a recognized service animal. However, a service animal in training may travel with a professional trainer en route to the owner.

The Delta Sky Club policy for trained service animals is the same as the policy on a Delta aircraft. Review the Service Animal Guidelines, Go to footer note above to understand our animal behavior policies for admittance.

A maximum of 2 service animals are permitted to travel. Before traveling you must: 

  • Ensure you’ll have adequate floor and/or lap space to accommodate both animals, which may require purchasing additional tickets
  • Complete and submit the required DOT documents for each animal, ideally 48 hours or more before departure

Our policies and procedures still apply to customers with NSAR memberships. If you still have questions after reviewing the guidelines here, please call our accessibility assistance line at 404-209-3434 (dial 711 for relay services).

Review the advisories below to prepare for travel with a service animal