The Complete Guide: 5 Critical Changes To Delta's Emotional Support Animal Policy (The ESA Ban Explained)

As of today, December 13, 2025, the landscape for flying with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) on Delta Air Lines has fundamentally changed, moving away from the previous, more lenient policies. The key takeaway is simple and critical for all travelers: Delta Air Lines no longer recognizes or accepts Emotional Support Animals for travel in the cabin free of charge. This major policy shift, which took effect on January 11, is a direct result of a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that redefined "service animal" under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). This comprehensive guide will break down the five most critical changes to Delta’s animal travel policy, clarifying the difference between an old ESA and a now-accepted Trained Service Animal (SVAN), and outlining the stringent new documentation requirements you must meet to fly with your assistance animal. If you plan to travel with any animal on Delta, understanding these updated regulations is essential to avoid being denied boarding at the airport.

The End of the ESA Era: 5 Critical Policy Changes You Must Know

Delta’s policy overhaul centers on the distinction between a pet, an Emotional Support Animal, and a Trained Service Animal. The DOT’s new rule allows airlines to treat ESAs as standard pets, which is exactly what Delta has chosen to do. This change was implemented to address the rising number of "fake" assistance animals and safety concerns reported by flight attendants and other passengers. Here are the five most critical changes affecting travelers with animals:

1. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) Are Now Considered Pets

The most significant change is the reclassification of the Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Previously, an ESA, with a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, could fly in the cabin free of charge. Now, Emotional Support Animals are treated as standard pets under Delta's Pet-in-Cabin Policy (PETC). * Cost: If your animal is an ESA, you must now pay the applicable one-way pet fee, which can vary depending on the destination. * Size/Weight Restrictions: The animal must be small enough to fit comfortably in a ventilated pet carrier that can be stowed completely under the seat in front of you. The animal must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight. * Exclusions: Animals that do not fit the size requirements will have to travel via Delta Cargo, which is a completely different process and has its own set of fees and regulations.

2. Only Trained Service Animals (SVANs) Are Accepted for Free Cabin Travel

Delta now strictly adheres to the DOT's definition: a "Service Animal" is a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. * Trained Service Animals (SVANs): These are the only animals permitted to fly in the cabin outside of a carrier and without a fee. This category includes psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), which are trained to perform tasks (like retrieving medication or deep pressure therapy) to mitigate a mental or psychiatric disability. * Species Restriction: Only dogs are accepted as Trained Service Animals. Other species, even if they were previously accepted as ESAs (like cats, miniature horses, or birds), must now travel as pets or cargo.

3. Mandatory Use of the Service Animal Air Travel Form

To ensure the legitimacy and safety of all traveling assistance animals, Delta requires extensive documentation for all Service Animals. This documentation must be submitted well in advance of your flight. * Required Form: The primary document is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Travel Form. This form requires the handler to attest that the animal is a trained service dog and to confirm its training, behavior, and vaccination status. * Submission Deadline: The completed form must be submitted to Delta at least 48 hours prior to departure if the reservation was made more than 48 hours in advance. For last-minute bookings, the form must be submitted before boarding. * Behavior and Training: The form emphasizes the dog's behavior, requiring the handler to confirm the dog will be under their control at all times and will not cause a disruption in the cabin.

4. Stricter Rules on Animal Age and Quantity

Delta has implemented clear, non-negotiable rules regarding the age and quantity of service animals a single passenger can travel with. * Minimum Age: All traveling service animals must be at least 4 months old and fully vaccinated, including the rabies vaccine. This rule prevents young, untrained puppies from being presented as service animals. * Quantity Limit: A maximum of two Trained Service Animals (dogs only) are permitted per customer. The passenger must ensure they have adequate floor and/or lap space to accommodate both animals without encroaching on another passenger’s space.

5. The End of the Pit Bull Ban (for Service Dogs)

Historically, Delta had a controversial ban on "pit bull type dogs" traveling as either service or support animals, which was challenged by many disability rights advocates. The good news is that this specific breed ban has been lifted for service dogs. * Breed Neutrality: Following the DOT rule, Delta’s current policy is breed-neutral. Any breed of dog, including pit bulls, can fly as a Trained Service Animal, provided they meet all the behavior, training, and documentation requirements set forth by the airline and the DOT. * Focus on Behavior: The emphasis is now entirely on the individual dog’s behavior and training, not its breed. Any dog, regardless of breed, that shows aggressive or disruptive behavior may be denied boarding.

Navigating Delta's Pet-in-Cabin Policy (PETC)

Since your former Emotional Support Animal is now a pet, you must adhere to Delta’s standard pet policy. This policy is highly restrictive and requires careful planning.

Key Requirements for Traveling with a Pet

The Pet-in-Cabin Policy (PETC) is designed for small dogs, cats, and household birds (on domestic flights).

• Carrier Requirements: The pet must be in a small, soft-sided or hard-sided kennel that fits under the seat. Maximum dimensions vary by aircraft type, but generally, soft-sided carriers can be slightly larger.
• Fees: A one-way fee is charged per kennel. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid at check-in.
• Reservations: Pet travel is subject to availability. Delta limits the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight, so you must contact Delta Reservations immediately after booking your flight to reserve a spot for your pet.
• International Travel: International travel with pets is significantly more complex and often involves quarantines, additional fees, and extensive veterinary documentation. Always check the specific entry requirements for your destination country well in advance.

Service Animal vs. Psychiatric Service Dog: Clarification

Many travelers who previously had an ESA for anxiety or depression are now exploring the option of a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD). It is crucial to understand the legal and functional difference: * Emotional Support Animal (ESA): Provides comfort just by its presence. No specialized training is required to perform a task. (No longer accepted by Delta as an assistance animal) * Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD): Is specifically trained to perform a task that mitigates the owner's psychiatric disability. Examples include waking a handler during a night terror, interrupting self-harm behaviors, or performing room sweeps for veterans with PTSD. (Accepted as a Trained Service Animal) The key difference is the task training. A note from a therapist is no longer enough; the dog must be trained to perform a specific, disability-related action and the handler must be able to describe that task to the airline personnel.

Final Thoughts for Travelers

The policy changes at Delta Air Lines—driven by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s updated Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)—represent a permanent shift away from the widespread use of Emotional Support Animals in air travel. For passengers with legitimate disabilities, the policy now focuses on the highly trained Service Animal (SVAN), streamlining the process but demanding rigorous documentation and proof of training. If your animal is a comfort companion, it is now a standard pet and must comply with Delta’s Pet-in-Cabin Policy (PETC), including all associated fees and size restrictions. For those with a genuine need for a Service Dog, ensure all your Service Animal Air Travel forms and vaccination records are submitted at least 48 hours before your flight to guarantee a smooth travel experience.