Delta Air Lines Carry on Size and Weight Limit Rules 2026
Delta Air Lines Main Cabin passengers receive one carry on bag measuring 56 x 35 x 23 cm or 22 x 14 x 9 inches plus one personal item on all flights. Delta does not enforce a standard carry on weight limit for most routes. Domestic Main Cabin fares do not include free checked baggage while most international Main Cabin fares include one free checked bag up to 23 kg. Premium Select and Delta One include two free checked bags up to 23 kg and 32 kg respectively.
Published on July 4, 2026 · Last verified on August 8, 2026 by Luggage Validator
6/10
Delta Air Lines Baggage Policy Strictness
Strict
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
56 × 35 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Overhead bin · Not specified
Personal Item
Under seat
No official size · Must fit under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
No free bags
Available for a fee
Included in higher fares
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on Delta Air Lines.
Collapsible infant stroller
Child safety seat
Mobility aids and wheelchairs
Diaper bag
Breast pump (medical device)
Standard Economy Allowance
Quick reference for your selected route type. See below for full cabin class comparison.
| Baggage Type | Free | Max Size | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on Bag Overhead bin · per piece | 1 pc | 56×35×23cm 22×14×9in | Not specified |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | Must fit under seat | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | No free | - | - |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Basic Economy | Main Cabin | Premium Select | Delta One | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | No | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | - | 56×35×23cm 22×14×9in | 56×35×23cm 22×14×9in | 56×35×23cm 22×14×9in | 56×35×23cm 22×14×9in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | - | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | No | No | 2 pc | 2 pc | 2 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | - | - | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | ≤ 158 cm 62 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | - | - | 23 kg 50 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
I flew Delta internationally with a lap infant on a 10% fare ticket. The baby got one checked bag up to 20 lbs (10 kg) with max dimensions of 45 inches, plus a free stroller and car seat checked at the gate. The ticket seller told me 50 lbs but at the counter they corrected it to 20 kg — only 20 lbs. My breast pump in its own bag counts as a medical device and doesn't count toward my carry-on allowance. Diaper bags are free too, and you can put your own things in them — it's just a bag as far as Delta is concerned.
Checked bags have no liquid restrictions — I packed full-size shampoo, sunscreen, and toiletries in ziplock bags in case of leaks. Carry-on is limited to 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, all in one quart-sized clear bag. Prescription liquids with a label are exempt. For food, stick to solids — yogurt and applesauce count as liquids at TSA but a banana doesn't.
Delta is strict — they weigh every checked bag and will charge you even one pound over 50 lbs. At 51 lbs they asked me to remove items at the counter. The overweight fee is $100 per bag. Even domestic first class has the 50 lb limit — I've seen them charge for 51 lbs there too. If you're close to the limit, keep your carry-on light so you can transfer items.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on Delta Air Lines · Economy class · Domestic routes. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | Must fit under seat | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Must fit under seat | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Must fit under seat | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Too large for under seat | OK | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Delta charge for overweight or extra checked bags?
The first checked bag on domestic routes costs around 45 USD and the second is around 55 USD when paid online in advance.
Bags weighing over 50 lbs or 23 kg but under 70 lbs or 32 kg incur an overweight fee of approximately 100 USD per bag each way.
Bags that exceed 62 linear inches are also subject to an oversized fee in addition to any weight charges.
Premium Select Delta One and First Class passengers enjoy higher free allowances of two bags up to 70 lbs each.
Medallion elite members and eligible credit card holders receive extra free bags or discounted fees depending on their status level.
Is Delta Air Lines strict about carry-on baggage size?
Delta allows one carry on bag that fits in the overhead bin on every fare except domestic Basic Economy.
The maximum carry on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 35 x 23 cm including all wheels and handles.
Delta does not publish a standard carry on weight limit for passengers on most of its network.
Carry on bags that exceed the allowed size may be required to be checked at the gate for an additional fee.
On smaller Delta Connection aircraft with limited cabin space some larger carry on bags may be tagged and placed in the cargo compartment automatically.
Can a backpack be used as a personal item on Delta?
Delta allows one personal item in addition to a carry on bag for every passenger including those in Basic Economy.
A personal item can include a backpack purse laptop bag briefcase or any similar small bag.
Delta does not specify a fixed personal item dimension limit on its official website.
The personal item must fit completely underneath the seat directly in front of the passenger.
A backpack that cannot fit under the seat may not qualify as a personal item and could need to go in the overhead bin instead.
How many free checked bags come with Delta Main Cabin?
On domestic flights within the United States Main Cabin passengers do not receive any free checked bags and must pay per item.
On most international routes Main Cabin passengers are entitled to one free checked bag weighing up to 23 kg or 50 lbs.
Every checked bag must stay within 62 inches or 158 cm of total linear dimensions as officially stated by the airline.
Basic Economy passengers on international flights also receive one free checked bag matching the Main Cabin allowance.
Additional bags beyond the free allowance can be added online or at the airport for a fee.
What is different about Basic Economy baggage on Delta?
On domestic flights Basic Economy passengers only receive a personal item and cannot bring a full size carry on bag into the cabin.
On international flights Basic Economy includes both a personal item and a carry on bag just like regular Main Cabin.
Basic Economy passengers on international routes also receive one free checked bag the same as Main Cabin customers.
Seat selection boarding order and change flexibility differ between Basic Economy and Main Cabin but baggage rules are identical on international itineraries.
Upgrading from Basic Economy to Main Cabin before departure is often worth it for travellers who need a carry on bag on domestic routes.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official Delta Air Lines website. Last updated August 8, 2026. Before you fly, please check the official site again to make sure nothing has changed.
Help keep this data accurate. If you spot outdated baggage rules or have recent experience flying with Delta Air Lines contribute your update