Delta Luggage Weight Limits, Explained

Like most U.S. airlines, Delta charges passengers to check a bag when they travel on domestic itineraries. The first bag is $35, and must be no more than 50 lbs.

A second bag costs $45 and follows the same Delta baggage weight policy. This fee also applies on flights to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Other international itineraries receive one free checked bag per passenger.

The Delta baggage calculator can give you the exact requirements for your trip. It analyzes all the factors into your destination, eligible waivers and number of passengers to alert you to the amount you would owe for standard or overweight bags.

How to pay

You can pay for a checked bag during the check-in process for your flight online or at the airport by using a kiosk with either in cash or in miles. Remember that most domestic Delta airports are now “cashless,” and you may need a credit or debit card.

Checked bag restrictions

Overweight/excess bag fees are determined by the number of bags, the size of the bag and the weight of the bag. Here is what you can expect to pay for bags that exceed these limits:

• 51-70 lbs: $100.

• 71-100 lbs: $200.

• Over 100 lbs: Not permitted.

• Third checked bag: $150.

• Fourth-10th checked bag: $200 each.

• Oversized bag exceeding 63-80 inches in length/width/height: $200.

• Oversized bag exceeding 80 inches in length/width/height: Not permitted.

Travelers can pay extra to check as many as 10 bags per person on most domestic Delta or Delta Shuttle flights (Delta Shuttle flights are the airline’s air shuttle service in the Northeastern U.S.). Up to four bags may be checked on Delta Connection carrier flights, the regional airlines that operate under Delta.

It's important to note that Delta may limit the number of excess bags it carries on some flights if not everyone is allowed to check the standard two pieces. They would be on a standby basis and may travel on the next available flight.

Here are some key exceptions to the Delta luggage weight limits:

• When flying to/from Key West, Florida, all passengers are only permitted one checked bag.

• Excess baggage weight is not permitted on Delta Connection flights.

• Military travelers on orders can check as many as five bags (up to 100 lbs each) for free. When traveling for personal reasons, they can check two bags (up to 50 lbs each) for free with proper military identification. If traveling in Premium Select, they can check three bags (up to 50 lbs each), and if in first class or Delta One, three bags (up to 70 lbs each).

How to avoid Delta baggage weight fees

There are several ways to avoid paying Delta bag fees.

Flying internationally

When flying all other international flights, most Delta passengers can check their first bag for free, no matter their cabin, status or fare. Basic economy passengers do not earn this benefit. Additional weight and size limitations for international flights include:

• 51-70 lbs: $100.

• 71-100 lbs: $200.

• Over 70 lbs: not permitted on flights to Europe/United Arab Emirates/North Africa/South Africa.

• Over 100 lbs: not permitted on all other flights.

Restrictions on number of bags and size of bags vary depending on the destination country.

Elite status

One of the many perks of SkyMiles Medallion status is being able to check bags for free. This benefit also applies to up to eight companions traveling with the Medallion member on the same reservation.

• SkyMiles Silver Medallion: One free checked bag up to 70 lbs on domestic flights and 50 lbs on international flights.

• SkyMiles Gold Medallion: Two free checked bags up to 70 lbs on domestic flights and 50 lbs on international flights.

• SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond Medallion: Three free checked bags up to 70 lbs on domestic flights and 50 lbs on international flights.

• Any SkyMiles Medallion member in Premium Select: Three free checked bags up to 70 lbs on domestic flights and 50 lbs on international flights.

• Any SkyMiles Medallion member in first class or Delta One: Three free checked bags up to 70 lbs on all flights.

Premium cabin

In addition to more space and additional food and beverage options, those traveling in premium cabins receive extra bag perks, too (no matter what their elite status tier).

• Delta Premium Select: One free checked bag up to 50 lbs.

• First, business and Delta One: Two free checked bags up to 70 lbs.

Credit cards

If you have a Delta co-branded American Express card, you can check one bag for free up to 50 lbs If traveling in the main cabin.

The real value sinks in if traveling with others because they can check one bag for free, too. Up to eight additional companions on the same reservation as the cardholder can check one bag for free.

The only bummer about this benefit is that this perk does not apply when departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle or Amsterdam.

These are the eligible cards with this benefit:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

At $35 per bag (per way), that’s a savings of $630 if you travel as a group of nine. That can really take the sting out of paying an annual fee for any of Delta’s credit cards. Frequent flyers can actually come out ahead when you consider the perks of several Delta cards, like SkyClub access with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card(annual fee: $650; see rates and fees ).

If you do not have a Delta co-branded credit card, but still want to save cash, there are other workarounds, too. Many cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve® , come with travel credits tied to the card.

When spending money with Delta, bag fees would be refunded up to a certain amount. American Express requires that you designate Delta as your preferred airline at the beginning of the year. You would receive up to $200 back. Chase offers up to $300 with no specified airline requirement. Terms apply.

Carry-on bag restrictions

The bag you bring on board should follow a combined length, width and height limit of 45 linear inches with the size restrictions also being 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches tall. There are sizers at the check-in and gate areas for travelers to measure their luggage; this includes handles and wheels. Interestingly, there is no weight limit for carry-on bags as long as they follow these size metrics.

If you are flying from Beijing or Shanghai, however, Delta will require the carry-on to be 22 lbs or less.

Delta makes exceptions for musical instruments, strollers, car seats and nursing mother accessories. There are no size limits for these items although they must be able to securely fit in the cabin.