Flying with a dog or cat on Delta
Delta publishes 18 × 11 × 11 in for a soft-sided carrier under the seat. That is the number that decides whether you get on the plane. Everything below was read on the Delta policy page, and the link to it is at the bottom.
Soft-sided maximum
18 × 11 × 11 in — length × width × height.
Hard-sided maximum
No dimensions published
What it costs
$150 each way, per carrier
Weight limit
Not published
Pets per passenger
One pet per kennel.
Pets per flight
Four in the main cabin, two in first. First come, first served.
The one to watch on this airline
Delta calls 18 × 11 × 11 a recommendation, not a rule. The real test is whether it fits fully under the seat in front of you, and the agent decides.
Which of our carriers fits under the seat on Delta
Measured against 18 × 11 × 11 in. Length and width have to clear as published. Height gets one inch of give, because a soft side compresses — and no more than one.
| Carrier | Footprint (L × W) | Height | Pet up to | Fits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Low-Profile
The lowest of our zip-top cabin bags
|
16 × 10 in | 10 in | 12 lb | Yes | $119.99 Buy |
|
Under-Seat Carrier
The long, narrow one · side entry
|
17 × 9 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $36.99 Buy |
|
Travel Carrier — 17 in
Mesh on the top and both sides
|
17 × 10 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $35.99 Buy |
|
Soft Carrier Bag — 17 in
Opens from the top mid-flight
|
17 × 9 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $39.99 Buy |
|
Cabin Carrier — 17 in
Waterproof wipe-clean nylon · side entry
|
17 × 11 in | 11 in | 11 lb | Yes | $34.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Carrier
Self-locking zippers · plywood base · 2.9 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $109.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable
Same bag to fly, opens out after you land · 3.2 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $119.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Diamond Series
Two expansion bays for after you land
|
18 × 11 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $79.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Platinum Series
Two expansion bays · 300D nylon · 2 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $84.99 Buy |
Anything not on this list is too big for Delta on at least one of the three measurements. We would rather show you a short list that fits than a long one that does not.
The fit guarantee. Every carrier above was measured against what Delta publishes. If you buy one we said clears this airline and it does not, send it back: we refund it in full and we pay the return shipping.
What we cannot promise is a gate agent’s judgement on the day, or that an airline will not change its published limit after you order. Your pet also has to be able to stand up and turn around inside. What we guarantee is our numbers.
Before you book
How to book the pet
You have to call Delta Reservations. Have the carrier dimensions ready when you do.
Minimum age
8 weeks.
Your other bags
The carrier must fit fully under the seat in front of you.
Delta publishes 18 × 11 × 11 as a recommendation, not a hard rule: the bag has to fit under the seat in front of you.
Policies change without notice, and the airline's own page is the authority — not this one. Read the Delta pet policy, or go back to the full guide covering all nine airlines.