Baggage Allowances

Regardless of where you're going, you’ll want to make sure what you’re bringing is allowed. Here are the rules.

Carry-on Baggage

All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag, one checked bag, and one personal item. Excess charges apply for excess, oversize, or overweight items.

How large can your carry-on bag be?

  • Must weigh less than 40 pounds (18 kg)
  • Can't exceed 45 inches (length + width + height)
  • Must fit easily in our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9")
  • Must fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you

What counts as a personal item?

  • Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags
  • Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)
  • Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

What else can you bring onboard?

  • Food items for immediate consumption
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches
  • One box or bag of duty free merchandise
  • A coat, jacket, or umbrella

There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights. If you have additional questions, please see a check-in agent for help or check out our Baggage FAQs.


Checked Baggage

You can check one bag per passenger free of charge when traveling in the U. S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. If traveling outside the U.S. you can check two bags free of charge.

Each bag must:

  • Weigh 50 pounds (22.5 kg) or less
  • Not exceed 62 inches when you total length + width + height

What counts as a special item?

Special items include:

If you have a special item:

  • Each special item you're checking counts as one bag.
  • When checking in online, you don't have to tell us what the special item is—you just have to let us know you have one.
  • An agent will determine any possible charges for your item when you bring it to the baggage drop.

Exceptions:

  • Business Elite® and First Class passengers are allowed 3 checked bags at no charge up to 70 lbs.
  • Active duty military personnel with traveling orders will be allowed to check 2 bags up to 70lbs at no additional charge.
  • Passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to only one checked bag.
  • The free weight allowance is 70 pounds (32 kg) for tickets purchased in Brazil, or for tickets purchased in Japan when traveling to/from Brazil.

With the exception of original factory-sealed boxes that will be accepted on a standby basis, we do not accept boxes as checked baggage to Central or South America (except Brazil, Mexico, and Chile) at any time of the year.

Still have questions? Check out our Baggage FAQs.


General Conditions of Acceptance

Delta will accept your baggage for transportation, subject to the following conditions:

  • All baggage is subject to search.
  • We reserve the right to refuse baggage whose size, weight, character, or condition is unsuitable for transportation on the particular aircraft which is to transport it or which cannot be accommodated without harming or annoying passengers.
  • Baggage check-in requirements, which vary by airport, must be met. Please review airport Check-in Requirements for details.
  • Baggage must be checked at a Delta designated city or airport office.
  • Your name must be on your luggage.
  • Baggage will not be checked to a destination that is not on a passenger's itinerary.

Second Bag Fee Rebate Program

On April 9, 2008, we announced that we would begin charging $25 for a second checked bag effective for all travel on or after May 5, 2008. Although this fee applied to all passengers regardless of when they purchased their ticket, we have made a business decision to offer those passengers who purchased tickets prior to April 9, 2008 for travel after May 5, 2008, a rebate of this fee. Your can check your eligibility for the rebate or request a rebate online.

Security Advisories

Liquid Restrictions
Learn about security restrictions on traveling with liquids, gels, pastes, and other items.

Dangerous Goods
Dry ice? Matches? Firecrackers? Find out what is and isn’t allowed on board.

Read the DOT's SafeTravel information about travel with spare batteries.

Airline Partner Notice
Our SkyTeam® and codeshare partners may have different guidelines and restrictions on certain flights.

Delta Legal Notice
For complete Checked and Carry-On Baggage rules, see Delta's Contract of Carriage.

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