Delta

Picking Up Your Bird at Delta Cargo

Hello!

Your bird’s trip is almost here! Please read this information completely so pickup day feels as smooth and easy as possible.

Colorful cartoon parrot wearing aviator goggles and a scarf, riding on top of an airplane in a blue sky

What You’ll Need

Please bring:

  • Your driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID
  • Your Air Waybill (AWB) number
  • A screwdriver — only if I let you know your bird is traveling in a wooden crate

I will let you know before shipping whether your bird will be in a wooden crate and whether you will need to bring a screwdriver.

Opening the Crate Safely

Some birds travel in sturdy wooden crates with a sliding top that requires a screwdriver to open.

If your bird is flighted, please be very careful when opening the crate. Open it in a secure, enclosed area so your bird cannot accidentally fly away.

Your Pickup Time May Be Different From the Flight Arrival Time

Your bird’s flight arrival time is not always the same as the pickup time. Delta Cargo needs time to unload the flight, process the shipment, and prepare your bird for release.

You will receive an Air Waybill number from me. This is your bird’s unique shipping number. Use it to track the shipment at DeltaCargo.com and watch for the listed pickup time or any schedule changes.

Please plan to arrive a little before the expected pickup time. This gives you time to complete any necessary paperwork so your bird can be released as soon as possible.

Call Your Local Delta Cargo Facility Before Pickup Day

Before the day of pickup, please call the Delta Cargo location at your airport and ask:

  • What time they close
  • Where you should park and enter
  • Whether you need to complete paperwork before the flight arrives
  • What their pickup procedure is if the bird arrives after the cargo office has closed

At some airports, if the bird arrives after Delta Cargo closes, you may need to go to the cargo office beforehand to complete paperwork and receive pickup instructions. Pickup is often handled through baggage claim in that situation, but procedures vary by airport, so please confirm with your local Delta Cargo facility.

Delays, Rerouted Flights, and Overnight Stays

Flights can occasionally be delayed or rerouted because of weather or other operational changes. Please keep checking DeltaCargo.com using your Air Waybill number, especially on pickup day.

You may also call Delta Cargo Customer Service at 1-800-DL-CARGO (1-800-352-2746). Be prepared for a possible wait time before someone answers.

If your bird must stay overnight at the airport, it is not ideal, but please do not panic. The crate provides a private, safe, secure place for your bird, and we provide plenty of food (enough for a couple of days or more) and water. In my experience, the humans tend to worry much more than the birds do!

Please Let Us Know

Once you have your bird, please send us a quick message to let us know you made it home safely. It helps us know that everything went well — and yes, it helps us sleep better at night too!

If you have any questions at all, please contact us.