Delta Airlines Baggage Fees

Delta  is one of the world’s preeminent airlines, flying to every continent except Antarctica. As they fly hundreds of thousand of people daily, why is their baggage policy so confusing? Do they really charge $260 to check three bags on a flight to Europe? During research for this guide, even our well traveled writers were confused with Delta’s convoluted baggage allowances. Apparently, even their staff is sometimes lost in their maze, as they recently charged a group of US military members returning from Afghanistan over $2,000 for their checked baggage. Here is Vagabond Journey’s best attempt at unraveling Delta’s baggage policy and provide you with the information you need to not face a huge bill at check in.

Checked Baggage Prices

Passengers are allowed up to ten pieces of checked luggage on Delta flights and up to four pieces on Delta Connection flights. There are some geographic and date restrictions on this, and on certain flights, passengers may not be allowed more than two bags. See the Delta website for details.

Note: all prices signify US or Canadian dollars or Euros. Passengers will be charged US dollars upon exiting US and Canadian upon exiting Canada, and Euros upon exiting Europe.

For travel within or between USA, Canada, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico:
First Bag: $25
Second Bag: $35
Third Bag: 125 USD/CAD
Fourth-Tenth Bags: 200 USD/CAD each

For travel between the United States or Canada and Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean or within Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean:
First Bag: Free
Second Bag:$30
Third Bag: 125 USD/CAD
Fourth-Tenth Bag: 200 USD/CAD

For travel between the United States or Canada and Europe:
First Bag: Free
Second Bag:60 USD/CAD/EUR if checked in online or 75 USD/CAD/EUR at the airport.
Third-Tenth Bag: 200 USD/CAD/EUR each

For travel between Europe and Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean:
First Bag: Free
Second Bag: 60 USD/CAD/EUR if checked in online or 75 USD/CAD/EUR at the airport
Third-Tenth Bag: 200 USD/CAD/EUR each

For travel between Europe and India:
First Bag: Free
Second Bag: 60 EUR if check in online or 75 EUR at the airport
Third-Tenth Bag: 200 EUR each

For travel to/from Brazil
First Bag: Free
Second Bag:Free
Third-Tenth Bag: 75 USD/CAD/EUR each
Bags may weigh up to 70 lbs and measure up to 62 inches in height+length+width.

All other International Flights:
First Bag: Free
Second Bag: Free
Third-Tenth Bag: 200 USD/CAD/EUR each

Checked Baggage Exceptions

Due to weight and balance restrictions, all passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to one checked bag. This supersedes all exceptions.

For travel within or between the United States and Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico and all travel to or from Brazil: First and Business Class passengers may check up to three bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each at no charge on Delta and Delta Connection® operated flights

For all other travel regions: First and Business Class passengers may check up to two bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each at no charge on Delta and Delta Connection operated flights.

For travel within or between the United States and Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico and all travel to Brazil: SkyMiles Medallion® Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond members, Million Milers, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, and Alaska Air MVP & MVP Gold Members traveling in Economy may check up to two bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each at no charge on Delta and Delta Connection operated flights. The benefit applies to up to 9 people traveling in the eligible member’s reservation.

For all other travel regions: SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion® members, Million Milers, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, and Alaska Air MVP & MVP Gold Members traveling in First or Business class may check three bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg). SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members, Million Milers, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, and Alaska Air MVP & MVP Gold Members traveling outside the US, Canada or Brazil will be allowed two or three bags up to 50 lbs (23 kg) depending on the standard cabin allowance. The benefit applies to up to 9 people traveling in the eligible member’s reservation.

Passengers with a confirmed Full Y Class Economy ticket may check up to two bags that comply with our size & weight restrictions at no charge on Delta and Delta Connection operated flights.

Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers from American Express may check their first bag for free for all Delta and Delta Connection flights. Benefit is limited to Basic Cardmembers (not Additional Cardmembers). The checked bag must comply with our size & weight restrictions. The benefit applies to up to 9 people traveling in the eligible Cardmember’s reservation.

Boxes are not accepted as checked baggage on flights to Central or South America (except Brazil, Mexico, and Chile) at any time of the year; however, original factory-sealed boxes may be accepted on a standby basis.

Active duty U.S. military personnel on orders to or from duty stations and dependents traveling with them or active U.S. military dependents traveling on relocation orders may check the following at no charge:

Up to four bags in Economy Class on Delta and in all cabins on Delta Connection flights. Up to five bags in BusinessElite, First, and Business Class on Delta aircraft only. Travel companions booked in a separate reservation need to check in with an agent at the airport for the benefit to apply.

Note: Each bag may weigh up to 70 lbs. (32 kg) and measure up to 80 linear inches (203 cm)

Additionally, active military personnel traveling on personal business on Delta and Delta Connection operated flights may check two bags up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (158 cm) at no charge.

Remember that excess baggage fees may apply if you check more than two bags or if your checked bags exceed our size & weight restrictions.

Checked luggage size restrictions

All checked luggage must not exceed 62″in overall dimensions (length + width + height) and cannot exceed 50 pounds (22.73 kilos)

Overweight bags may accepted but will incur a fee. Any bag over 100 lbs will not be accepted. Bags over 70 lbs will not be accepted if your flight is to/from/through Europe, South Africa or United Arab Emirates.There are some geographic and date restrictions on overweight bags and may not be allowed on certain flights. See the Delta website for details.

Overweight Fees

Note: overweight fees are one way fees, so if you have a round trip ticket, and you carry the same luggage, you will be charged twice.
For flights within US, Canada, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: 51-70 lbs: $90 71-100 lbs: $175

For flights between US, Canada and Europe: 51-70 lbs: 75 USD/CAD/EUR.

For flights to/from Asia: 51-70 lbs: 75 USD/CAD/EUR 71-100 lbs: 200 USD/CAD/EUR

For flights to/from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean: 51-70 lbs: 75 USD/CAD/EUR 71-100 lbs: 200 USD/CAD/EUR

For flights to/from Brazil: 51-70 lbs: Free 71-100lbs: 100 USD/CAD

For all other international destinations: 51-70 lbs: 75 USD/CAD/EUR 71-100 lbs: 200 USD/CAD/EUR

Oversized bags may be accepted but will incur a fee, unless it is a listed specialty item. See Delta website for list of specialty items. For certain flights oversized bags will not be accepted, see the Delta website for details.
For flights within US, Canada, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: for bags 63-80 inches: 175 USD/CAD for bags 81-115 inches: 300 USD/CAD

For flights to/from/between Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, India and Australia: for bags 63-80 inches: 175 USD/CAD for bags 81-115 inches: 300 USD/CAD

For flights between US, Canada and Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean: for bags 63-80 inches: 150 USD/CAD for bags 81-115 inches: 300 USD/CAD
For flights to/from Brazil: for bags 63-80 inches: 100 USD/CAD for bags 81-115 inches: 300 USD/CAD

Carry-On Bags

Each passenger is allowed a piece of carry on luggage and a personal item such as purse or laptop. Carry-on bags must not exceed 45″ in combined height+length+width. It should be around 22″x 14″x 9″. If it is too big to fit in the overhead compartment it will have to be gate checked and fees may apply.

Bicycles

Bicycles are accepted as checked baggage on Delta flights, but may not be accepted on all Delta connection flights. Bicycles are accepted either in a hard sided padded case designed for bicycyle air travel or wrapped in plastic foam in a cardboard or other such box with the handlebars secured to the side and pedals removed. Bikes must not exceed 115 inches in dimension, bicycles will not be charged an oversize fee. Bikes over 70 lbs will be charged the applicable overweight fee in addition to the bike fee listed below.

For all flights except Brazil: 150 USD/CAD/EUR
For flights to/from Brazil: 75 USD/CAD/EUR

Children Baggage Allowance

Unticketed lap infants do not have a baggage allowance, all baggage will be counted as the adult’s. Children traveling on an international ticket that is 10% of the adult fare are allowed one checked bag up to 20lbs. (10kg) with a maximum outside dimension (length+width+height) of 45 inches, plus one checked fully collapsible stroller or push-chair. Children traveling on a ticket that is 50% or more of the adult fare, children are entitled to the standard baggage allowance.

In addition to this, one stroller and one child safety seat per child may be gate checked or checked for free. Infants may also bring on board one bassinet and a booster seat, without counting as a carry-on.