A few months ago, I had to relocate from Atlanta to Seattle for work — and the biggest concern wasn’t my luggage, it was my 4-year-old dachshund, Bella. She’s my world, and I was
terrified about how she’d handle the flight. I’d never flown with a pet before, so naturally, I did what any nervous pet parent would do — spent hours online reading horror stories and Reddit threads. Thankfully, Delta’s pet policy turned out to be one of the better ones, and their team walked me through the process step-by-step when I called
877-297-0699.
Here’s exactly how it went down — in case you’re planning to bring your furry friend onboard too.
Step 1: Calling Before Booking
Before booking my ticket, I called Delta’s pet desk directly at
877-297-0699 to confirm Bella could fly in the cabin with me. The rep was super kind — she explained that Delta only allows a limited number of pets per flight (usually two to four, depending on aircraft type), so it’s important to reserve early.
She checked available flights and even suggested a midday route with fewer passengers and smoother connections. Within 10 minutes, my ticket was booked, and Bella’s spot was confirmed too. They even emailed me a full checklist of carrier dimensions, vaccination requirements, and boarding procedures.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Carrier
Delta requires soft-sided carriers that fit under the seat in front of you. I bought one from Amazon that met their specific dimensions (18” x 11” x 11”). The rep had warned me that gate agents
do check carrier sizes, so make sure it’s compliant.
Pro tip: let your pet get used to the carrier at home before flying. I left Bella’s blanket and treats inside so she’d associate it with something positive — that helped a ton during the flight.
Step 3: At the Airport
When I arrived at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, the Delta check-in staff already had Bella’s info on file. They charged a $95 pet-in-cabin fee and attached a small tag to her carrier. I also made sure to carry her vaccination record — something the agent reminded me of when I first called
877-297-0699.
Security screening was surprisingly easy. I had to remove Bella from her carrier, walk her through the metal detector, and then the TSA staff hand-checked her bag. Everyone was kind and patient — clearly used to dealing with pets.
Step 4: Onboard Experience
Bella stayed under the seat the entire flight, and the crew made me feel so comfortable. One flight attendant even gave her a little cup of ice water halfway through. I’d worried she might bark or panic, but she was calm the entire time. Delta’s cabin temperature was stable and quiet — perfect for pets.
Step 5: After Landing
When we landed in Seattle, I let Bella stretch out near the baggage claim. Everything went smoother than I ever imagined. Honestly, it was far less stressful than the research had led me to believe.
Bonus Tip: Changing or Rebooking with Pets
Two weeks later, I had to move my return date forward — and again,
877-297-0699 came to the rescue. The rep quickly changed both my ticket
and Bella’s pet reservation in one go, without any extra fuss. I can’t emphasize this enough: if you need to
book, modify, or cancel your Delta pet booking, just
call 877-297-0699. You’ll get real people who actually know the pet policy inside out.
Final Thoughts
Delta made traveling with my dog surprisingly easy. From booking to landing, every step was clear and stress-free. If you’re nervous like I was, just call their number early, follow their pet guidelines, and give yourself plenty of time at the airport.
I’d definitely fly Delta again with Bella — and if you ever get confused or need last-minute help, remember that
877-297-0699 is your go-to lifeline for all pet travel questions or flight changes. Trust me, it saves hours of online stress.
