Delta Airlines Carry-On Rules

As of June 2008

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as it:

  • Weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg).
  • Does not exceed 45 inches when you total length plus width plus height.
  • Fits easily in our SizeCheck® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9").
  • Fits in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Here are some examples of personal items:

  • Male or female purse
  • Briefcase
  • Laptop computer (All laptop/computers must be carried aboard and cannot be checked. For information about Delta's battery-saving system for laptops, visit In-flight Power)
  • Camera case
  • Diaper bag
  • Items of a similar or smaller size to those listed above, such as Portable Electronic Devices.

These additional items are okay to carry on and do not count towards your allowance:

  • Food items for immediate consumption
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them
  • One box or bag of duty free merchandise
  • A coat or jacket
  • An umbrella
  • One item of reading material

There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights.


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 plus width plus height.

If you have a bag that exceeds these allowances, see Excess Baggage.

Exceptions:

  • Business Elite® and First Class passengers are allowed 3 checked bags at no charge up to 70 lbs.
  • Passengers traveling to or from Key West and Marathon, 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.
  • Active duty military personnel with traveling orders will be allowed to check 2 bags up to 70lbs at no additional charge.

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.

Some packages, sporting goods, musical instruments, and fragile or bulky items may require special handling. For more information on special items, see Special Baggage.


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.

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.