Delta Airlines Baggage Policy: Everything You Need to Know

Delta Airlines is a major airline in the USA and is ranked among the world's largest airlines. It departs up to 4,000 flights daily, and around 200 million travellers reach 275 destinations in 50 different countries. The airline's increasing global reach makes it crucial for passengers to acknowledge the Delta Airlines baggage policy to avoid unexpected fees, be prepared to tackle extra fees and ensure a smooth travel experience. Moreover, learning about Delta Airlines baggage allowance, weight limit, or any restrictions for different routes and fare classes assists the flyers in having better planning regarding packing, efficient packing by removing the non-essential items, and a stress-free check-in.  

Delta Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy

The quicker you load your baggage and settle down on your seats, the quicker your flight will fly. Thus, a basic understanding of Delta Airlines carry-on size and allowance will make storing easy. Regardless of whether you have packed for long-haul flights or an overnight trip, the carry-on baggage policy of Delta Airlines can be seen below:  

How Many Carry-On Bags Are Allowed?

• You are allowed to carry one carry-on baggage and one personal item onboard. 
• You can also carry a jacket or umbrella, purchased food or drinks, duty-free merchandise, or special items like wheelchairs, strollers, child safety seats, or assistive devices. 
• As Delta Connection flights, where flights have up to 50 seats, have limited overhead bin space, you can only carry one personal item onboard.  

Size and Weight Limits for Carry-On Bags

• The total linear dimensions of the baggage should adhere to 45 linear inches or 114 cm. 
• The baggage's length, width, and height cannot exceed 22 X 14 X 9 inches. 
• The measurement mentioned includes the handles and wheels of the baggage, if any. 
• Small musical instruments are not required to adhere to the measurements if they fit perfectly in the overhead bin or the space under the seats.  

Personal Item Policy: What Can You Bring on Carry-on Baggage?

 You can bring any one item from the following mentioned items, provided that they will fit underneath the seat in front of you:

• Purse
• Briefcase
• Small backpack
• Camera bag
• Diaper bag
• Laptop bag; however, you cannot carry computers unless directed to by security. 
• Other items of similar or smaller size 

Restricted Items in Carry-On Bags

• Ammunition
• Firearms
• Explosives
• Any device or object that contains lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries, including portable electronic devices and sporting equipment. 
• Fuel-powered items
• Alcohol content with more than 140 proof
• Medical devices include oxygen cylinders or canisters containing liquid or compressed oxygen.
• Personal times, such as cologne and hairspray. 
• Household items like bleach, drain cleaner, aerosol, cleaning solvents, and pesticides. 
• Marijuana

Delta Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

Delta Airlines' checked baggage policy is extensive and varies based on an individual's destinations and membership status. Thus, following the basic guidelines is important; otherwise, they are subject to additional charges. The Delta checked baggage allowance for domestic flights flying within the USA can be seen as follows: 

Standard Checked Baggage Allowance

• 2 standard baggage is allowed on any Delta-operated flights
• You can carry a maximum of 10 bags for Delta or Delt shuttle-operated flights.
• You can take a maximum of 4 baggage on Delta Connections carrier flights. 
• The standard allowed dimensions of each bag include 62 inches or 157 cm. 
• The maximum weight of each bag should be 50 pounds or 23 kg. 

Checked Baggage Fees: How Much Does It Cost?

• The cost for the first checked-in bag is $ 35 USD. 
• The cost for 2nd checked-in baggage includes $ 45 USD.
• For the 3rd baggage, the cost is $ 150 USD
• And for any bag between 4 and 10, the cost includes $ 200 USD for each item. 

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fees

• The charges would be $100 USD/CAD per overweight baggage weighing between 51 and 70 lbs.
• The charges would be $200 USD/CAD per overweight baggage weighing between 71 and 100 lbs. 
• If your baggage is oversized, with linear dimensions measuring between 63 and 80 inches, the charges would be $ 200 USD/CAD for each bag. 

Excess Baggage Policy: What Happens if You Bring Extra Bags?

• You must pay excess baggage fees if you bring extra bags on Delta flights. 
• You are not allowed to bring more than 10 bags per individual. 
• Delta Airlines won't accept your bag if any bag weighs more than 100 lbs or exceeds the total linear dimensions of 80 inches.  

Delta Airlines Baggage Policy for International Flights

There are numerous destinations to which Delta Airlines schedules its flights, but not each has the same checked-in baggage policy. Even with the help of codeshare and partner airlines, Delta expanded its reach, making flights available for its customers to enlarged corners of the world by expanding its baggage policy. Thus, the Delta international baggage policy can be seen as follows:  

How Many Bags Can You Check on International Routes?

• Two standard checked-in bags are allowed on international flights. 
• You can bring a maximum of 10 checked-in baggage on any international route.
• You have to pay the cost of each baggage item as the airline provides. 
• You cannot carry a bag weighing more than 100 lbs on flights within the USA, Canada, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
• You can't carry any bag weighing more than 70 lbs for any other destinations mentioned above. 

Fees for Checked Bags on International Flights

• The baggage fee for the first bag varies up to $75, depending on your destination and fare type.
• The baggage fee for the second bag varies up to $100, depending on your destination and fare type.
• For the third and subsequent baggage, you will be charged up to $285 for each bag based on the number of bags and the flight route. 
• Only 10 checked-in baggage is allowed as Delta Airlines won't accept any further baggage from an individual. 
• For every bag weighing between 51 and 70 lbs, you must pay an excess fee of $ 100, except while travelling to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, San Salvador, or El Salvador from North America, whose charges are $ 150.
• For every bag weighing between 71 and 100 lbs, you must pay an excess fee of $200. 
• Depending on the flight destination, you must pay between $100 and $300 for every bag measuring between 63 and 80 inches.   

Baggage Rules for Delta Codeshare and Partner Airlines

• Every codeshare or partner airline flight will follow their own baggage policy rules.  
• The baggage cost and allowance will be determined according to the flight rules you are taking.  

Special Baggage and Sports Equipment

Any baggage with a unique size and shape or requiring special care and attention is considered special, including sports equipment, musical instruments, or fragile items. Though each special baggage is considered as one bag, some of them may include Delta extra baggage charges while others don't, which can be seen below: 

Musical Instruments and Fragile Items

• Any musical instrument with a total linear dimension of 150 inches and weight, including the case, should adhere to 165 lbs for check-in. 
• A full-fare ticket can be purchased for an item considered fragile for checked-in baggage, provided that it doesn't contain any dangerous goods, must be packed or covered properly so that it won't harm others, and weight doesn't exceed 165 lbs. 
• Guitars and smaller musical instruments like flutes or violins can be accepted as free carry-on baggage items.  

Sports Equipment: Golf Clubs, Skis, and More

• Delta Airlines accepts most sporting equipment as checked baggage, provided that checked baggage fees are applied depending on the total number of checked baggage, travel region, or fare class. 
• The sporting equipment should be appropriately packed in a container specifically designed for the equipment, making it safe for other baggage around it. 
• You must pay the overweight baggage fees for the equipment weighing over 50 lbs. 
• You can't carry items measuring more than 115 or weighing more than 100 lbs. 

Medical Equipment and Assistive Devices

• You can carry some of the medical equipment and assistive devices onboard without paying any additional charges. 
• Some medical equipment can be carried onboard as an "additional carry-on item," provided it meets the standard weight and size of the carry-on items. 
• You can carry a self-contained breathing apparatus as checked baggage, where standard checked baggage rules apply. 
• You can't carry personal oxygen canisters/tanks or any other container containing liquid or compressed liquid oxygen onboard. 
• Syringes and needles can be carried in carry-on luggage, along with professionally printed medication bearing the manufacturer's name and pharmaceutical label.  

Baggage Policies for Delta SkyMiles and Medallion Members

Delta Airlines offers its Delta SkyMiles and Medallion Members the benefit of carrying Delta SkyMiles free baggage as a reward for being loyal customers. You can learn about the number of free baggage allowances and various other benefits of becoming one in the section below: 

How Many Free Bags Do SkyMiles Members Get?

• A Medallion member travelling to any international destination in Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin, or Basic Economy can carry one additional bag up to 50 lbs beyond their standard cabin allowance. 
• Delta One or First Class passengers with a Medallion membership status can check up to 3 bags of 70 lbs each without paying extra. 
• Delta Premium class passengers can check up to 3 bags of 70 lbs each free of cost if they hold a Medallion membership status. 

Extra Baggage Benefits for Medallion Status Holders

• All the medallion status holders can bring their first baggage for free on their Delta flights. 
• Based on your medallion status, you have increased your free baggage allowance for several domestic and international flights based on your fare class. 
• You have priority at baggage handling, which allows you to board first and breaks the waiting times in the long queues.  

Delta Co-Branded Credit Cards and Free Baggage Perks

• Delta co-branded credit card holders can check their first bag free, provided that they have booked their Delta flight with their cards. 
• This perk mentioned above can be extended to 8 other travel companions if they travel on the same reservation as the cardholder.  
• The Delta co-branded cardholders can save up to $ 70 per person on a round trip with free baggage perks. 
• The potential saving is up to $ 280 for a family of four on a round-trip flight. 
• With Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, Silver Medallion members can carry their two bags free of cost, provided that each bag weighs at least 70 lbs, while travelling within the USA and Canada. 

Lost, Delayed or Damaged Baggage: What to Do?

Due to some unexpected situations, sometimes bags can be lost or delayed in reaching you or may get damaged before they are returned to you. Delta Airlines understands that these problems can create a lot of stress for you. Thus, the airline provides you with the easiest means to report and take compensation from them, which can be seen as follows: 

How to Report Lost or Delayed Baggage

• You can visit the Delta Baggage Service Office and file a report if you don't find your baggage after reaching the airport. 
• You must note the file reference number and baggage report to track your bag. 
• If your baggage is not found by the 21st day, it is considered lost, and you can file for reimbursement with Delta. 

Compensation for Lost or Damaged Bags

• If your baggage is still missing by the sixth day of your arrival, you can submit a property loss claim.
• You must use the baggage report to file the complaint on Delta Airlines' website.  
• Go to the "Begin Claim" for lost, delayed or damaged baggage.
• Enter file reference number from baggage report when asked. 
• Include the relevant receipts to claim your reimbursement for the bag in the "Property Loss Claim". 

Tips to Avoid Lost Luggage

• Clearly label your bag with your name and contact information.
• Use a unique identification mark on your luggage to make it stand out. 
• Ensure to remove old tags that contain irrelevant information. 
• Use the "luggage tracker" app to locate it.

Tips to Save on Delta Airlines Baggage Fees

Delta Airlines is a low-cost airline, making the journey affordable, but its baggage policy can take a vast amount of money if it is not planned properly. So, one should know some of the best ways to avoid Delta baggage fees to make the overall trip cost-efficient, which can be seen as follows: 

• Using Packing Strategies to Travel Light—Packing lightly and carrying only essential commodities will help reduce the cost of baggage and make it easier for you to carry your luggage. 
• Leveraging Credit Cards and Loyalty Programs for Free Bags—Delta Airlines offers various benefits for its credit card holders and loyalty program members, including the leverage of a free baggage allowance to a certain limit based on membership status. 
• Earn Points in Medallion Status—Your Delta reward points can be used to waive baggage fees for many destinations, making travel budget-friendly. 
• Minimize the number of your luggage- Delta Airlines’ luggage fees increase with the increase in the number of baggage. So, to save baggage fees, you can limit the number of your baggage by using the optimised packing tricks.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are baggage fees refundable if I cancel my flight?

Generally, Delta Airlines doesn’t provide refunds for baggage fees if you cancel your flight, regardless of whether you have already checked your baggage or not.

2. Does Delta Airlines allow free checked bags for military personnel?

Yes, Delta Airlines provides five free checked bags for up to 100 lbs each if you are travelling on military orders and two to three free checked bags for up to 50 lbs each if you are travelling for leisure activities. 

3. What is Delta’s policy on travelling with pets?

Delta Airlines allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to be carried in the cabin, provided that they follow all the airline's guidelines.

4. How can I track my checked baggage with Delta?

Using the “Fly Delta” mobile app, you can easily track your checked luggage, which allows you to have a real-time and mapped view of your bag’s last scanned location.

Conclusion

Delta Airlines boasts a comprehensive baggage policy that is influenced by a variety of factors, including the number of bags checked, their dimensions, Delta baggage weight limit, travel destination, the passenger's membership status, and whether they hold a co-branded credit card. Understanding the intricacies of this policy is essential for travellers, as it allows them to effectively plan and pack their luggage. By doing so, passengers can minimize potential baggage fees, ultimately lowering their overall travel expenses. Being informed about these details not only enhances the travel experience but also enables individuals to make the most cost-effective choices when packing for their journeys.