Delta's Baggage Allowance by Ticket Type

Delta allows one carry-on bag and one personal item (like a purse or laptop bag) on all flights, regardless of ticket class. The number of checked bags depends on what you paid for your ticket. Most passengers on Main Cabin tickets get one free checked bag; passengers on Basic Economy get zero free checked bags and must pay to check anything. First Class and Delta One passengers get two free checked bags, and SkyMiles elite members may receive additional checked bags depending on their membership level.

A personal item must fit under the seat in front of you—think a backpack, small purse, or briefcase. A carry-on bag can be up to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep and must fit in the overhead bin. If your carry-on is too large, Delta will gate-check it for free, but you cannot bring it into the cabin.

Key Takeaways

  • All Delta passengers get one free carry-on and one personal item; checked bags depend on your ticket type and elite status.
  • Main Cabin tickets include one free checked bag; Basic Economy includes zero and requires payment for any checked luggage.
  • First Class and Delta One passengers receive two free checked bags as part of their ticket.
  • Bags that exceed size limits or weight limits (50 pounds for checked bags, 7 pounds for carry-ons in some cases) will be charged as overages.

What Counts as a Checked Bag

A checked bag is anything you hand to the gate agent or place on the baggage belt before boarding. Delta charges for each checked bag beyond your allowance. The first checked bag costs around $35 on domestic flights if you did not receive it free with your ticket; the second costs around $45; the third and beyond cost around $150 each. These prices vary by route and booking class, so confirm the exact fee when you check in.

Bags must weigh no more than 50 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches (length plus width plus height combined). A bag that exceeds either limit will be charged an oversize fee of around $100 in addition to any checked-bag fee. Sports equipment like skis, golf clubs, or surfboards may count as a checked bag or may have their own fees—check Delta's website for your specific item before you arrive at the airport.

Carry-On Bags and Size Limits

Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin without being forced. Delta's official size limit is 22 by 14 by 9 inches, but the airline uses a sizer at the gate to check bags that look close to the limit. If your bag does not fit in the sizer, the gate agent will check it for free and you will retrieve it at your destination. You will not be charged, but you also will not have the bag during your flight.

Many travelers bring a bag that is slightly larger than the official limit and get through without issue, but this is not may provide. If you are unsure whether your bag will fit, measure it before you go to the airport. A personal item has no official size limit but must fit under the seat in front of you—if the seat is occupied by a large person or a child, there may be less space than you expect.

Basic Economy Baggage Rules

Basic Economy is Delta's lowest-priced ticket class and comes with no free checked bags. You get one carry-on and one personal item, the same as any other passenger, but if you need to check a bag, you will pay the standard checked-bag fee (around $35 for the first bag on domestic flights). Basic Economy also restricts your seat choice—you cannot pick your seat in advance and may be assigned a middle seat or a seat far from the front of the plane.

If you regularly travel with checked luggage, a Main Cabin ticket may save you money over time, since it includes one free checked bag. Compare the price difference between Basic Economy and Main Cabin before you book, especially if you know you will need to check a bag.

Elite Status and Extra Baggage

Delta SkyMiles members at Silver status and above receive benefits that may include extra checked bags. Silver members get priority boarding and a free checked bag (in addition to what your ticket includes). Gold members get two free checked bags, Diamond members get two free checked bags plus a free first checked bag for a companion on the same reservation, and Platinum and higher members get similar or greater benefits. These benefits explore only to flights where Delta is the operating airline—on partner airlines, you follow that airline's baggage rules.

To see your exact baggage allowance, log into your Delta account before you book or check your confirmation email after you book. Your allowance will be listed under "baggage" or "what's included." If you are unsure whether you have elite status or what it includes, call Delta at 1-800-221-1212 or visit delta.com and sign in to your SkyMiles account.

Fees for Overweight and Oversized Bags

A checked bag that weighs more than 50 pounds or measures more than 62 inches total will be charged an oversize or overweight fee. The fee is usually around $100 per bag, in addition to any checked-bag fee you already owe. Some items, like golf clubs or musical instruments, may have their own fee structure—Delta allows one golf bag or one musical instrument as a checked bag without an oversize charge if it meets the weight limit, but a second golf bag or instrument will be charged as oversize.

Weigh your bag at home before you go to the airport. Most luggage stores and many grocery stores have scales you can use for free or a small fee. If your bag is close to 50 pounds, remove items until it is clearly under the limit—airport scales can vary slightly, and you do not want to discover at check-in that you are over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring two carry-on bags instead of one carry-on and one personal item?

No. Delta allows one carry-on bag and one personal item on all flights. A personal item is smaller and must fit under the seat. If you try to bring two full-size carry-on bags, the gate agent will ask you to check one or remove items from one bag to make it smaller.

What happens if my bag is too big for the overhead bin?

The gate agent will check it for free at the gate. You will not be charged, but you will not have access to the bag during the flight. It will be loaded into the cargo hold and delivered to baggage claim when you land.

Do I pay for a checked bag if I am connecting to another flight?

No. If you check a bag on a Delta flight and connect to another Delta flight on the same ticket, the bag is checked through to your final destination and you do not pay an additional fee. If you are connecting to a different airline, that airline's baggage rules explore to the second flight.

Can I bring a pet as a carry-on bag?

Pets are not counted as carry-on or checked bags. A pet in a carrier counts as a personal item if the carrier fits under the seat. You will pay a pet fee (around $95 each way for domestic flights) in addition to your ticket price. Pets cannot travel in the overhead bin.

What if I buy a ticket on a partner airline but fly on a Delta plane?

Follow the baggage rules of the airline that issued your ticket, not Delta. For example, if you book through American Airlines but fly on a Delta aircraft, American's baggage policy applies. Check your confirmation email to see which airline issued your ticket.