Delta baggage fees 2026: carry-on, checked bags and Basic Economy rules
Last checked Oct 29, 2026
Photo: Delta A321neo departing Boston, by 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Delta raised its checked bag fees on April 8, 2026, adding $10 to the first and second bag. Here is what a bag costs on a flight within the U.S. now, who pays nothing, and how to keep the total down.
Delta checked bag fees at a glance (U.S. domestic)
| Bag | Fee, each way |
|---|---|
| 1st standard checked bag | $45 |
| 2nd standard checked bag | $55 |
| 3rd checked bag | $200 |
| 4th to 10th bag | $200 each |
A "standard" bag is up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm), length + width + height. These fees apply to Delta Comfort and Delta Main. Delta One and First passengers get a 70 lb limit per bag.
Overweight and oversize fees
| Problem | Fee, each way |
|---|---|
| 51 to 70 lbs | $100 |
| 71 to under 100 lbs | $200 |
| 63 to 80 linear inches | $200 |
Delta charges a separate fee for each limit a bag breaks. A third bag that is both overweight and oversize pays three fees: one for the extra bag, one for the weight and one for the size. Bags of 100 lbs or more, or over 80 inches, are not accepted at all.
Carry-on and personal item
Every Delta passenger can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item at no charge.
- Carry-on: up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm), 45 linear inches in total. Delta lists no weight limit on its carry-on page.
- Personal item: must fit under the seat in front of you. Delta's examples are a purse, briefcase, small backpack, belt bag, camera bag, diaper bag or laptop bag.
Who doesn't pay for the first bag
- Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve American Express Card Members (the Basic Card Member, not Additional Card Members), including the Business versions. Up to nine people on the same reservation also get the first standard bag waived. The Card Member's SkyMiles number must be on the booking, and the flight must be marketed and operated by Delta. Codeshares don't count.
- Medallion Members get the first standard bag waived on domestic flights.
- Active-duty military have their own allowance; see Delta's military baggage page.
The card waiver covers only the standard first-bag fee. Extra bags and overweight or oversize charges still apply.
Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy)
Delta's Main Basic page says seats are assigned after check-in unless you pay to choose one, changes aren't allowed after the 24-hour window, there's no priority boarding, and the fare earns no miles. Delta's carry-on page states the one-carry-on-plus-personal-item rule for every passenger and doesn't carve out Basic. Check bag fees for your exact ticket in Delta's fee lookup before you fly.
Ways to pay less for bags on Delta
- Fit everything in a carry-on. At $45 each way, one checked bag adds $90 to a round trip.
- Weigh your bag at home. Going from 50 to 51 lbs costs $100 each way.
- Use a card or status that waives the first bag. For a family of four checking one bag each, the waiver is worth $360 on a round trip.
- Compare total trip cost, not just the fare. A slightly higher fare on an airline with a lower bag fee can still be cheaper overall.
Special cases
- Key West: flights to or from Key West accept only one checked bag per person, and that limit overrides every other exception.
- Paying with miles: at most U.S. airports, SkyMiles members can pay the standard checked bag fee with miles, but not excess or overweight fees.
- Leaving Canada or Europe: fees are set in CAD or EUR and converted to local currency.
Fees change. Always confirm on Delta's site before you fly.