Verdict
Delta allows one free carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, plus one free personal item that must fit under the seat — and unlike United, that carry-on is included even on Basic Economy. Checked bags cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second each way as of April 9, 2026, rising to $200 for a third. Bags are capped at 50 lb and 62 linear inches in economy. Medallion members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders still check the first bag free.
Comparing carriers? Compare airline carry-on limits, then measure the whole suitcase before checking your flight requirements.
Key Facts for Fast Answers
Buy to 22 x 14 x 9 including wheels and handles. That is the true Delta limit and it is the same number American and United use, so one bag covers all three.
Check fit, price, and product details before buying.
Buy to 22 x 14 x 9 including wheels and handles. That is the true Delta limit and it is the same number American and United use, so one bag covers all three.
Full Analysis
Delta lists $45 for the first standard checked bag and $55 for the second on its own baggage page. These prices took effect April 9, 2026, replacing $35 and $45.
Delta cabin baggage limits
| Bag type | Limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including wheels and handles | Free |
| Personal item | No published dimension — must fit under the seat | Free |
Delta includes a full-size carry-on on every fare, including Basic Economy. That is worth knowing before you book, because the same is not true at United.
Delta checked bag fees (2026)
| Bag | Fee (each way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 | Under 50 lb, up to 62 linear in |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | Same limits |
| 3rd checked bag | $200 | Domestic |
| Overweight 51-70 lb | +$100 | Added to the standard bag fee |
| Overweight 71-100 lb | +$200 | Added to the standard bag fee |
| Oversized 63-80 linear in | +$200 | Domestic. Reaches $300 on some Europe routes |
Size and weight limits
- Checked bag maximum: 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and 50 lb in economy.
- Premium cabins and elite status raise the weight allowance to 70 lb per bag.
- Carry-on has no published weight limit for US domestic flights — the constraint is size.
Who checks bags free on Delta
- Delta SkyMiles Medallion members: first bag free.
- Eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders: first bag free, and on some cards the second bag free on domestic flights.
- Active-duty military on orders.
- Premium cabin tickets include checked bags at the higher 70 lb allowance.
How Delta compares on the things that cost you money
Delta sits in the middle of the US majors. It matches Southwest on the $45 and $55 headline fees, and it matches American and United on the 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on standard. What separates Delta is the Basic Economy carry-on: you keep it. At United, a Basic Economy ticket drops you to a personal item only and a full-size bag gets checked at the gate with a fee attached.
The Problem
Delta raised checked bag fees by $10 on each of the first two bags in April 2026, but most fee tables online still show the old $35 and $45. The second trap is the personal item: Delta publishes no hard dimension for it, which is why travelers assume any tote qualifies and then discover at the gate that it does not fit under the seat.
Options
Free up to 22 x 14 x 9 in, on every fare including Basic Economy.
Free. The personal item has no published dimension — it must fit under the seat in front of you.
$45 each way on Delta Comfort and Main, without status or card benefit.
$45 plus $55 each way — $200 for a round trip with two bags.
Scenario Recommendations
- Buy to 22 x 14 x 9 including wheels and handles. That is the true Delta limit and it is the same number American and United use, so one bag covers all three.
- Treat the personal item as a soft bag. Because Delta enforces "fits under the seat" rather than a printed dimension, a compressible backpack passes where a rigid mini-case fails.
- Check your card before you check a bag. Eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders get the first bag free, and some also get the second free on domestic flights.
Carry-on size & airline rules
Your next luggage decision
Find the size and weight questions to check before your flight.
Include wheels, handles, pockets and expanded depth.
Go directly to the rules for the airline you are flying.
Match a suitcase to your route and packing needs.
FAQ
What is the Delta carry-on size limit?
22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles. Delta also describes the total as 45 linear inches. One carry-on is free on every fare, including Basic Economy.
Does Delta have a personal item size limit?
Delta does not publish a strict personal item dimension. The rule is that it must fit under the seat in front of you. In practice, a bag around 18 x 14 x 8 inches or a compressible backpack passes without trouble.
How much is a checked bag on Delta in 2026?
$45 for the first bag and $55 for the second, each way, for Delta Comfort and Main passengers without status or a qualifying card. A third bag costs $200. These increased by $10 each on April 9, 2026.
What is the Delta overweight bag fee?
Bags 51 to 70 lb add $100 to the standard fee. Bags 71 to 100 lb add $200. Oversized bags measuring 63 to 80 linear inches add $200 domestically, and up to $300 on some Europe routes.
Is a carry-on free on Delta Basic Economy?
Yes. Delta includes one full-size carry-on and one personal item on Basic Economy, which is more generous than United Basic Economy on most domestic routes.
What is the Delta checked bag weight limit?
50 lb per bag in economy, with a maximum of 62 linear inches. Business and first class, plus Medallion and Star Alliance Gold equivalents, raise the allowance to 70 lb.
Do Delta credit card holders get free checked bags?
Eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders check the first standard bag free, and certain card tiers also cover the second bag on domestic Delta flights. The benefit applies to the cardholder and companions on the same reservation.
Does Delta weigh carry-on bags?
Not usually on US domestic flights. Delta publishes no carry-on weight limit domestically, so size compliance is what gets enforced at the gate.
Final Recommendation
Delta allows one free carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, plus one free personal item that must fit under the seat — and unlike United, that carry-on is included even on Basic Economy. Checked bags cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second each way as of April 9, 2026, rising to $200 for a third. Bags are capped at 50 lb and 62 linear inches in economy. Medallion members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders still check the first bag free.
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