Delta Air Lines · Bags & fees
Delta Air Lines bags, fees & check-in
What you'll actually pay Delta before you board: checked and carry-on bags, weight and size limits, Main Basic rules, change fees and check-in deadlines. Plain numbers, stated assumptions, and a date you can trust.
Unless noted, prices are for domestic U.S. economy (Delta Main / Main Basic / Comfort), per bag, each way. Unlike some carriers, Delta charges the same fee online or at the airport, so there's no prepay discount. International allowances, SkyMiles Medallion status, and co-branded Delta SkyMiles Amex cards change these numbers, and each is flagged below.
Checked bag fees
Delta charges per checked bag on domestic Main, Main Basic and Comfort fares, and the price climbs with each bag. The fee is the same whether you pay online ahead of time or at the airport counter.
| Bag | Fee (each way) |
|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 |
| 3rd+ checked bag | $200 |
Delta Premium Select, First and Delta One include the first two checked bags free. Medallion members and eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex cardholders also get free checked bags (see below).
Standard allowance applies up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Delta One and First raise the weight limit to 70 lbs. Heavier or larger bags add the surcharges in the next section.
Carry-on & personal item
Every Delta fare includes one free carry-on plus one free personal item, including Main Basic. The carry-on must fit the overhead bin including handles and wheels.
This is where Delta differs from United and American: a full-size carry-on is free on Main Basic domestically. The exception is Main Basic on most U.S.–Europe routes (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Frankfurt), where you're limited to a personal item only. Confirm your fare's carry-on rule at booking.
Overweight & oversize fees
These surcharges stack on top of the standard checked bag fee, and a bag that's both overweight and oversize is charged for each limit it exceeds. Bags above the top tier aren't accepted.
| Bag exceeds | Surcharge (added) |
|---|---|
| 51–70 lbs (overweight) | +$100 |
| 71–100 lbs (overweight) | +$200 |
| Over 100 lbs | Not accepted |
| 63–80 linear inches (oversize) | +$200 |
| Over 80 linear inches | Not accepted |
Fees are separate for each limit a bag exceeds, so a bag both overweight and oversize incurs both. SkyMiles Medallion members and premium cabins get a higher 70 lb weight allowance. International overweight/oversize surcharges vary by route.
Basic Economy rules
Main Basic is Delta's cheapest fare (rebranded from Basic Economy). Unlike United and American, it keeps the free full-size carry-on domestically. What you give up is seat choice, flexibility and boarding priority.
| What you get | Main Basic | Main Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Free | Free |
| Full-size carry-on | Free* | Free |
| Advance seat selection | Assigned at check-in | Free |
| Flight changes | Not allowed | No change fee |
| Same-day standby | Not eligible | Eligible |
| Priority boarding | Last group | Standard |
*Free carry-on does not apply to Main Basic on most U.S.–Europe routes (personal item only). Main Basic can be cancelled after the 24-hour window for partial credit minus a fee that varies by region (for example $99 from the Caribbean, ~$200–$300 from Europe).
Changes, cancellations & seats
Delta charges no change fee on Main Cabin and above for domestic and most international flights originating in the U.S. and Canada. You pay only the fare difference. Main Basic is the carve-out.
| Action | Main Cabin+ | Main Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Change fee | $0 + fare diff. | Not allowed |
| Cancel after 24h | Free (eCredit / refundable) | Partial credit minus fee |
| Same-day standby | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Advance seat selection | Free (paid for premium seats) | Assigned at check-in |
No change fee for Main Cabin+ on travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on international travel originating in North America. Travel originating elsewhere can carry a change fee up to ~$400. All tickets are refundable within 24 hours of booking.
Check-in & bag-drop deadlines
Miss these cutoffs and Delta can deny boarding. The deadline is earlier if you're checking a bag.
| Flight type | Check-in / bag-drop by |
|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S.), with a bag | 45 min before departure |
| Domestic (U.S.), no bag | 30 min before departure |
| International | 60 min before departure |
| Athens (ATH) | 120 min before departure |
| At the gate, all flights | 15 min before departure |
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. A few international airports require more time. Confirm your airport's deadline. Delta recommends arriving 2 hours early for domestic and 3 hours for international.
Onboard experience
What the seat and service actually look like, by cabin. Pitch is the legroom measure (front-to-back); most specs vary by aircraft type.
| Cabin | Seat pitch | What's notable |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cabin | 30–31″ | Standard seat. Free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. |
| Delta Comfort | 32–34″ | Up to 3″ extra legroom, dedicated overhead space, priority boarding. |
| First Class (domestic) | 37–38″ | Wider recliner, free premium drinks, pre-departure beverage, meals on longer routes. |
| Delta One (long-haul) | Lie-flat suite | 180° flat bed, direct-aisle access, sliding door on many jets, full dining. |
Premium Select is Delta's long-haul premium economy, between Main and Delta One, with wider seats and more recline. Main Basic is a fare type, not a separate cabin. You sit in the standard Main Cabin.
Where Delta flies
Delta runs one of the world's largest networks from a set of major U.S. hubs, so most itineraries connect through one of these airports.
Best time to fly Delta
These are seasonal patterns, not bookable fares. Sign in to search live Delta fares for your exact dates.
Seasonal patterns are typical for U.S. routes and vary by destination; they're guidance for planning, not bookable prices.
How to skip the fees
Delta baggage FAQ
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