Delta Flight Diverts To Care For Sick Dog. Justified?

We read all the time about flight diversions for sick human passengers onboard, but a Delta Air Lines flight diverted due to a sick dog onboard.

Delta Flight 694 was traveling from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX) on Monday, May 26, 2025, leaving Detroit at 8:28 pm. About an hour into the flight, a dog in the cabin became “unwell” and flight attendants asked if there were any veterinarians onboard.

There was. A veterinarian stepped up, volunteering to provide emergency care. A decision was made to divert and the Airbus A320 made an emergency landing in Delta’s Minneapolis (MSP) hub to let the dog and its owner off.

Medical professionals met the flight to offer immediate treatment to the dog at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

The diversion resulted in a 2.5-hour delay for the 181 passengers and six crewmembers onboard, with the flight taking off again at 10:30 pm and arriving at LAX at 12:55 am.

I found Delta’s statement quite interesting:

“The safety of our customers and people comes before everything else at Delta. That’s why Delta flight 694 diverted to MSP to ensure a cabin pet that became ill received proper care.” 

Ok, but is a dog a customer or a person?

The captain kept the flight updated, announcing over the PA system while enroute to Los Angeles that the dog was going to be okay.

Should Flights Divert For Dogs?

I’m not a dog owner, but contrary to what many of you think, I’m not a dog hater…not by any means. I think the rampant abuse of fake service animals on airplanes cries out for reform, but I recognize that “man’s best friend” is a precious family member for many travelers.

Thus, I’m not opposed to diversions for sick dogs.

But I also note that a diversion costs a lot of money…extra fuel, extra crew time, and potentially overnight accommodations and meal vouchers for passengers who may have missed onward connections.

Because bringing pets onboard airplanes is an elective act, I believe that Delta should send a bill to the dog owner. Why should Delta have to pay for the choice to bring a dog onboard? Why should any airline have to stomach the cost for an accessory that becomes ill onboard?

Putting a price on the head of a dog is difficult…continuing the flight if it would have resulted in the death or permanent injury to the dog is inhumane. But those who take their dogs onboard planes should be prepared to pay up if they do want to divert when the dog becomes sick.

---

image: Aero Icarus