October 16, 2023 — Delta's Air Cargo program has pigeon-friendly requirements for carrying pigeons in cargo and allow up to 70lbs in weight for one large "kennel" (or wooden boxes attached together). Delta Cargo stopped flying pets, including birds, using their express DASH service. This is not a big impact on your travel except to know you must now be at the cargo facility three hours in advance of the flight departure and the connecting flight must allow for two hours between flights. The rates seem relatively the same. There may be other airlines such as Alaska that allow pigeons as check-in for a flat fee; however, they require a health certificate by a vet within 10 days of the flight. Delta does not require a health certificate if you accept responsibility for shipping healthy birds and waive Delta from liability for water/feeding during flight.

Flying Delta Cargo to Louisville, Kentucky National in January 2024
Delta Cargo does fly into the Louisville (SDF) airport. The Louisville Delta Cargo facility is located on 4650 AIR FREIGHT DRIVE BAY 15 LOUISVILLE KY 40209.  Both the airport and cargo facility are very close to the show fairgrounds. The Louisville Cargo Facility is open M-F 5 am to 8 pm and on Saturday and Sunday 5-9am.

Contact Delta Cargo for airline cargo travel at 800.352.2746, extension 3, then 1. You can only reserve 13 days in advance of the day you fly, but you can call much earlier to check for flights and costs. To see details of their shipment and container requirements, go to www.deltacargo.com.