There has been a change in how Delta is handling pets so all who fly Delta should be aware.
As of March 1st Delta will no longer fly pets as baggage and only as cargo. (I believe they still do "carry on" pets, smaller dogs) The problem for us in Belize is that Delta does not have a cargo facility and has no plans for a cargo facility at BZE. This means that Delta will no longer fly pets out and I assume you will not be able to fly them in either. I've spent a lot of time in the last few days talking to them and they just won't do it. When I return to the USA (I now have to leave a week or so early to beat the March 1st deadline which they changed my ticket without fee) I will call them and explain how this can be done easily with the company at BZE who does the same for United. Destinations in USA in general handle cargo so they will be OK.
A friend of mine who is leaving in May on Delta was told that because he came down in November and didn't know of this they would make an exception. However it looks like they have backed away from that fast and I can see why. With connections and all; with the many personal that would be involved I don't see how they could pull that off. The email authorization to do this didn't come and in a month of so he will call again and probably end up cancelling his flight with Delta.
United is not affected as they already do cargo with pets and American as far as I know is OK but only on one flight a week on Saturday. This is because all other days they use certain Air Bus craft which do not have heat or AC in cargo and the pet would likely perish so these flights are not an option. American can handle either cargo or baggage but only on this certain flight as I explained. This info on American should be checked because I only explored this option to a small degree and we are only talking about BZE.
Keep in mind that this is a fluid situation and there could be changes in the future. If you are flying Delta in the near future with your pet you had better start talking to them. This not good news.