Carry-On Baggage

Not sure whether to check your bag or carry it on? Take a few minutes to learn the can-do and no-can-do rules of carry-on baggage. If you don’t want to carry-on, it’s still easy to check your bag if you prefer.

 

1 Carry-On Bag

1 Personal Item

Each passenger flying with Delta can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item free of charge (such as a purse, laptop bag or item of similar size that will fit underneath the seat in front of you). If you plan to bring roll-aboard luggage or a large bag to store in the overhead bin, you can find size information, Go to footer note below. Note: carry-on bag exceptions apply for passengers traveling with an infant-in-arms and for passengers traveling with pets in the cabin.

When packing, please remember that flight attendants are unable to proactively assist customers placing carry-on baggage into overhead bins, with certain exceptions. In addition to keeping customers and crew members safe and healthy, this change also protects flight attendants by decreasing the likelihood of injury caused by repetitive lifting.

Review the following guidelines for approved personal items that you can bring, including items that are free to carry on like child safety seats.

Approved Personal Items

Bringing a personal item? Pick an item like this or of a similar size to store beneath the seat in front of you during your flight.

  • 1 purse, briefcase, small backpack, camera bag or diaper bag
  • 1 laptop bag (computers cannot be checked, unless directed to by security)
  • 1 item of similar or smaller size to those listed 

Free Items to Carry On

These items are free to carry on your flight, in addition to your usual carry-on items. Flight attendants can assist you with larger items, like strollers.

Whether it’s a duffel for an overnight trip or a roll-aboard bag for a much longer stay, arrive knowing that you can easily store your bag in an overhead bin. The faster you can stow your bag, the faster your flight will be on its way.

Carry-On Size Restrictions

Make sure your bag fits this size or reference size check displays located at ticket counters and gates.

  • Combined length + width + height of baggage must not exceed 45 linear inches (114 cm) 
  • Individual length, width and height measurements may not exceed 22” x 14” x 9” (56 cm x 35 cm x 23 cm) respectively 
  • These measurements include any handles or wheels, but do not apply to small musical instruments that fit in the overhead or under-seat space

Carry-On Weight Restrictions

No maximum weight applies to carry-on baggage, except in the following locations.

  • Singapore, Singapore – Changi International Airport (SIN) carry-on should not exceed 15 lbs. (7 kg)
  • Beijing, China – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires that domestic hand carry bags should not exceed 10 kg. Individual carrier rules apply for international flights.
  • Shanghai, China – Pudong International Airport (PVG) carry-on should not exceed 22lbs. (10 kg)
  • If your bag doesn’t fit or an exceptionally-full flight is short on overhead bin space, a flight attendant or gate agent can assist you by checking your bags at the gate.
  • Passengers traveling on Delta Connection flights, including flights with 50 seats or less, are only permitted to carry personal items on board the aircraft due to limited overhead space.  Personal items must be able to fit securely under the seat in front of the passenger or overhead bins. Due to crowded flights, some carry-on bags may be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning.  Please ensure that a pink Gate Claim/Planeside tag is securely attached to the carry-on item.  Assistive devices are not subject to this restriction.
  • If you need information about potentially hazardous or irregular items, like knitting needles or razors, please consult the TSA for updated guidelines, opens in a new window.
  • Airline Partner Notice: Our SkyTeam and codeshare partners may have different guidelines and restrictions on certain flights, so be sure to check before you check in.

 

While many things are allowed in your carry-on and personal item when you travel, be sure to consider things that are limited for your safety. Most countries restrict the size of containers with liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes — even in partially empty containers during security. Pack ahead of time and place larger liquid items in your checked luggage.

  • Limit liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes items to a maximum of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters 
  • Place all items in one single quart-size, zip-top bag of clear plastic
  • At security, remove your quart-size bag and place it in a bin

Liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes include anything like beverages, creams, hair gel, hair spray, shampoo, suntan lotions, toothpaste or any item of similar consistency. Special provisions are usually made by the TSA for necessary items such as medication, breast milk, and juice or formula for infants — which can receive a special screening for your convenience.

Review TSA Guidelines, opens in a new window

Some countries have a program that lets you purchase duty-free items, which are placed in specially sealed bags by the vendor. You can then travel within that country or region with your item in your possession or in your carry-on.

If your travel takes you through a security check-in in a country that does not recognize the same program, you may or may not have the opportunity to place the item in your checked baggage. If you are unable to place the item in your checked baggage, it may be confiscated.

For specific guidelines, visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, opens in a new window, the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport, opens in a new window or the European Union’s European Commission, opens in a new window.

How many bags may I carry on?

You may bring one carry-on item onboard the aircraft, plus one personal item. See our carry-on allowance for further information.

Passengers travelling on Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or less are permitted to carry personal items onboard the aircraft.  Due to limited overhead and under seat space, larger items will be tagged with a pink Gate Claim/Planeside tag and loaded in the cargo bin.  These bags will be returned to the passenger upon deplaning.

All carry-on items must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and may not exceed 22" x 14" x 9". The FAA mandates that all carry-on items fit under a seat or in an enclosed storage compartment.

Our gate or flight personnel may need to further limit the amount of carry-on baggage for a particular flight, depending on the cabin storage capacity of the plane and the expected number of passengers.

Are carry-on items included in Delta's Baggage Liability?

We do not assume liability for unchecked items unless they are given to our personnel for storage during the flight or otherwise delivered into our custody for travel.