Delta AirLines baggage policy

Delta Airlines Baggage Policy

We want you to feel confident and know everything about your baggage before, during, and after you travel with Delta. You can check in within 24 hours of your departure and notify Delta about the number of bags that you intend to check via delta.com or the Fly Delta app. 

Baggage Drop can take your bags if you have already checked in. Baggage Drop can also be used to check in and pay at the airport.

Carry-On Baggage

Are you unsure whether you should check your bag or take it with you? Learn the rules and restrictions of carrying on baggage. You can still carry-on if you do not wish to.

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 .

Please remember that flight attendants cannot assist customers with their carry-on luggage being placed into overhead bins. There are exceptions to this rule. This change is not only for the safety and health of customers and crew members, but it also protects them from repetitive lifting injuries.

Carrying On a Personal Item

The following guidelines outline the personal items you are allowed to bring.

Approved Personal Items

Do you want to bring a personal item with you? You can bring a personal item or something similar to this for storage under your seat during your flight.

• 1 purse, briefcase or small backpack.
• 1 Laptop bag
• 1 item similar to or smaller than the ones listed

You can get free items to carry on

These items can be carried on board your flight for free, along with your other carry-on items. You can ask flight attendants for assistance with large items like strollers.

• A jacket and/or umbrella
• You can purchase food or drinks past the security checkpoint.
• All merchandise are exempt from duty
• You can find special items such as strollers and wheelchairs. child safety seat and assistive device such as crutches.

Carry-On Size & Weight Restrictions

You can store your bag in an overhead container, no matter if it is a duffel bag for overnight travel or a roll-aboard bag to carry for longer stays. Your flight will go faster if you can quickly store your bag.

See Carry-On Details

• A flight attendant or agent at the gate can help you check your bags if your bag is too big or if there are limited overhead bin spaces on a very full flight.
• Because of the limited overhead space, passengers on Delta Connection flights (including flights with 50 seats and less) are not allowed to bring personal items. Personal items should fit under the seat in front. Some carry-on bags may need to be checked at the gate due to crowded flights. These items can then be returned after deplaning. Make sure that the carry-on item has a pink Gate Claim/Planeside tag. This restriction does not apply to assistive devices.
• To obtain updated information on potentially dangerous or irregular items such as razors or knitting needles, please visit the TSA.
• Avis to Airline Partners: SkyTeam and codeshare partners might have different restrictions and guidelines for certain flights. Make sure you verify before you check in.

What's allowed in your carry-on?

Although you can carry many items in your personal and carry-on luggage, it is important to be aware of what is prohibited for safety reasons. Many countries have restrictions on the sizes of liquids, gels and pastes. This includes containers that are partially full during security. You can pack ahead and keep larger liquids in your checked luggage.

• Limit the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols to a maximum 3.4 ounces (or 100 millilitres).
• All items should be placed in a single, quart-sized zip-top bag made of clear plastic
• Secure your bag in a quart-size and then place it in a bin.

Bringing A Duty-Free Item

You can purchase duty-free goods from certain countries through a program. These items are sealed by the vendor and placed in special bags. The item can be taken with you or your carry-on to any country or region.

You may not be able to check the item into your checked baggage if you have to go through security in a country that doesn't recognize the program. It may be confiscated if you are unable or unwilling to put the item in your checked luggage.

Guidelines for excess baggage

If you’re bringing checked bags, follow the guidelines to make sure they meet these requirements — otherwise they might be subject to extra fees. To check your bag, measure in linear inches or centimetres (length + width + height).

• On Delta and Delta Shuttle flights, up to 10 bags can be checked per passenger.
• You can check up to four bags on Delta Connection(r), carrier flights.
• If excess baggage is too heavy, we may limit our ability to transport up to two bags per person.
• Please visit our Baggage Limitations page for more information about checked baggage restrictions (baggage embargoes).
• Excess baggage is accepted by Delta Connection airlines on a space-available basis. You can take your baggage on the same flight as you. If it is not possible, the baggage will be taken on the next flight.
• Representatives of local or network television broadcasting companies, or commercial filmmaking firms, will accept camera, film, videotape and lighting equipment. For more information, see Media Bags.
• Bags exceeding the ticketed itinerary allowance: Number of pieces, weight, or size will be accepted on a standby basis

• Bags that are not in compliance with our weight and size restrictions will be subject to special handling and additional charges.
  
  You should know that each restriction you exceed is subject to separate fees: weight, size and quantity. If an additional piece of baggage is larger than the weight or size limits, there will be three fees. One for the extra bag and one for exceeding the weight limit. The third fee is for going beyond the size restriction. Each additional bag is subject to a fee.
  
  There may be additional restrictions for certain destinations. The following breakdown is available. The following baggage fees are current and will apply to all tickets booked on or after the effective date of Delta Airlines baggage policies rules. For more information, refer to Delta's Previous Checked Baggage page.

Are You Looking for a Particular Item?

With all special baggage, meet with a Delta gate agent when you arrive at the airport — they’ll assist you in checking your special item, and determining if an extra fee applies for an overweight or oversized item.

A special item might be available:

• Your bag can be unique in size and shape
• Extra care is required if your bag contains fragile items.
• If your bag exceeds 50 lbs. (23 kg) or 66.2 linear inches (157cm) (length + width + length).
• You can bring medical equipment, sporting gear, or musical instruments to help others.

Special Items:

• Children & Infant Items
• Other Items
• Medical Supplies & Wheelchairs
• Musical Instruments
• Perishables & Imported Merchandise
• Sporting Equipment

These items are not allowed at any time

• Aerosol products (such as cooking spray or anti-static spray)
• Bleach, drain cleaners or pesticides
• Fireworks or explosives
• Gunpowder like Pyrodex, black powder, mace and pepper spray or bear deterrent
• Torch or blue flame lighters and all lighter refills
• Fuels (like gasoline or Sterno cans)
• Paints, stains or lubricant
• “Strike-anywhere” matches
• Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
• Hoverboards, balance gliders, self-balancing boards or motorized riding suitcases that use lithium or lithium-ion batteries
• Items with refrigerants including refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers or dehumidifiers

Explore Restricted Items

Many items such as firearms, large batteries, food, medical equipment, machinery or other items are subject to restrictions when traveling with Delta Airlines. If in doubt, review all relevant items before you fly.

• Firearms, Explosives, or Munition
• Fuel- or Battery powered
• Food or Alcohol Transportation
• Personal care & medical items
• Robotics, Machine, Household Items, & Other
• Sporting & Leisure Goods
• Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, Marijuana
• Additional Items

Baggage damaged, lost or delayed

If you’re experiencing a problem with delayed, lost or damaged baggage, we want to help make it right. Whether you’re waiting on a delayed bag or checking on a claim, be sure to have your file reference number ready so that we may better assist you.

NOTE: The file reference number (or 8-10 digit alphanumeric) is an 8–10-character code that you can find on the back of the information folder you were given by Delta agents to whom you reported baggage delay or damage.

Submit a Claim

We apologize for the mishandling of your baggage. To submit a claim for delayed, damaged or lost baggage, please complete this form . Please reference the File Reference Number you obtained from the Baggage Service Centre at the Airport, along with any supporting documentation to process your claim.