Quick answer: Delta lets your pet fly in the cabin in a soft-sided carrier up to 18 x 11 x 11 inches, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. The carriers below match that size on paper.
Do measure the one you buy, though, and check with Delta before you fly, because the exact limit can depend on the aircraft.
At a glance
What Delta says about carriers
Everything in this section comes from Delta’s own pet travel page, which I last checked in October 2026.
- Size: soft-sided carriers up to 18 x 11 x 11 inches, with the exact maximum depending on the aircraft.
- Style: Delta recommends a soft-sided carrier. For domestic flights it should be leak-proof and ventilated on three sides.
- Fee: $150 each way within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and $200 on international trips.
- Weight: no figure is given. Your pet needs to stand and move around comfortably without touching the sides.
Rules like these change.
Check our Delta pet policy guide and Delta’s page before you book.
Carriers that fit Delta’s size on paper
These are the carriers I looked at. All four list a size on Amazon, so each card shows how that size sits against Delta’s limit.
The sizes and weight limits come from each Amazon listing, which is the seller’s claim. I haven’t measured anything, so please do that when yours arrives.
| Carrier | Outer size | Pet weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lekereise Top-Expandable | 18 x 11 x 11 in | Up to 15 lb | Soft, top-expandable |
| Petsfit Medium Expandable | 17 x 11 x 11 in | Up to 13 lb | Soft, expandable |
| Sherpa Original Deluxe, Medium | 17 x 11 x 10.5 in | Up to 16 lb | Soft-sided |
| Petsfit Small Double Expandable | 16 x 10 x 9 in | Up to 9 lb | Soft, expandable |
Lekereise Top-Expandable Pet Carrier
Right at Delta’s limitBest for: a small dog or cat up to 15 lb, and a traveller who likes a top-expandable carrier.
Matches Delta’s limit on paper: 18 x 11 x 11 in, with no room to spare.
Up to 15 lb (carrier 2.6 lb) · Soft-sided, top-expandable · Width 11 in (limit 11)
Check price on AmazonFull details
The Amazon listing names Delta, American and United and suggests checking the size with your airline. It lists room for a pet up to 17 x 10 x 10 inches inside.
The listed size is the same as Delta’s limit, so measure the carrier when it arrives, especially if you expand it.
Petsfit Medium Expandable Carrier
Sized for Delta, per the listingBest for: a cat or small dog up to 13 lb that could use a little extra room.
Inside Delta’s limit on paper: 17 x 11 x 11 in.
Up to 13 lb (carrier 2.5 lb) · Soft-sided, expandable · Width 11 in (limit 11)
Check price on AmazonFull details
Petsfit says it sized this one for Delta and other airlines. The listing gives 17 x 11 x 11 inches in its title and 17.99 x 10.98 x 10.98 in its details.
That is a small difference, but it is a good reason to measure the carrier when it arrives.
Sherpa Original Deluxe, Medium
Guaranteed On BoardBest for: a soft-sided carrier from a brand with an on-board guarantee programme.
Inside Delta’s limit on paper: 17 x 11 x 10.5 in.
Up to 16 lb (carrier 3 lb) · Soft-sided · Width 11 in (limit 11)
Check price on AmazonFull details
Sherpa says this carrier is airline approved and part of its Guaranteed On Board program, but it does not name airlines.
The size and weight limit here come from the Amazon listing for the Medium. The Small is a different carrier, so pick the right one.
Petsfit Small Double Expandable Carrier
Folds flatBest for: a small pet up to 9 lb and a traveller who wants a carrier that packs away.
Inside Delta’s limit on paper: 16 x 10 x 9 in. Expanded size can be larger.
Up to 9 lb · Soft-sided, expandable · Width 10 in (limit 11)
Check price on AmazonFull details
The listing says this size meets airline requirements, but that it is small, so choose the size by your pet’s weight and length.
Petsfit makes larger sizes too. This one suits kittens and very small dogs.
One I left out
The Gen7Pets Carry-Me lists an overall size of 20 x 10 x 13.5 inches. That is longer and taller than Delta’s limit, so I haven’t included it here.
How I chose these
I read Delta’s own pet page and each carrier’s Amazon listing, and I wrote down the sizes, weight limits and airline claims exactly as they were published. Where a figure was missing, or two sources disagreed, I say so in the guide.
Believe it or not, I’m not a dog, so I can’t tell you how comfy these carriers are from the inside. I haven’t bought, handled or flown with any of them either, which means I can’t speak to how they hold up on a real trip. What I can do is read the specs closely and tell you what I found, and what I couldn’t find.
I also left out customer ratings, since they don’t tell us whether a carrier meets an airline’s size rules. More on how I make my guides.
How to pick one for your pet
Start with your pet. They need to be able to stand, turn around and lie down without pressing against the sides, and the carrier’s weight rating needs to cover them with a little room to spare.
Then measure the carrier you’re considering and compare it with Delta’s 18 x 11 x 11 inches. Soft-sided carriers flex a little, but they shouldn’t be squashed to make them fit.
If the brand doesn’t publish dimensions, check the Amazon listing or ask the seller before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What size carrier does Delta allow?
Delta’s pet page lists soft-sided carriers up to 18 x 11 x 11 inches and says the maximum can depend on the aircraft. It recommends a soft-sided carrier that is leak-proof and ventilated on three sides for domestic flights.
How much does it cost to take a pet in the cabin on Delta?
Delta’s page lists $150 each way for travel within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and $200 for international trips. I last checked this in October 2026, and Delta can change it.
Is there a weight limit for pets on Delta?
Delta’s pet page does not give a weight figure. It says your pet must be able to stand up and move around comfortably in the carrier without touching the sides.
Confirm with Delta before you travel.
Does an airline-approved carrier guarantee I can board?
No. Brands say their carriers are airline approved, but airlines set the rules and staff decide at the gate.
Measure the carrier you buy against Delta’s current limits and confirm with the airline.
Want to read it yourself? Here is Delta’s own pet travel page.
This is a research comparison, so I haven’t tested these carriers myself. Some links go to Amazon, and I may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Here is how I make my guides.
