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Delta Air Lines Carry-On Size 2026 22 x 14 x 9"

By Caden SorensonVerified Nov 2026Sourced from the official Delta Air Lines policy

Exact Delta Air Lines carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Delta Air Lines dimensions
  3. Weight limit
  4. Carry-on fee
  5. Bag fit matrix
  6. Fare class breakdown
  7. Overhead bin size
  8. Avoiding gate-check
  9. What counts as a personal item
  10. Common mistakes
  11. Gate-check process
  12. vs United Airlines
  13. Checked bag fees
  14. Special items
  15. Basic economy
  16. Bag through-check partners
  17. FAQ
  18. Sources

Quick answer

Delta Air Lines carry-on bags can be up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm), with no published weight limit, and no carry-on fee on any fare, including the Delta Main Basic fare.

  • Carry-on size: up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm)
  • Weight limit: no published weight limit
  • Carry-on fee: free on every fare, including the Delta Main Basic fare
  • Personal item: must fit under the seat, free on every fare
  • Gate-check risk: Low
  • Last verified: Nov 2026
Delta Air Lines carry-on maximum size, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm)22" (56 cm)9" (23 cm)14"(35 cm)LHW
Delta Air Lines maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (in)
22 x 14 x 9"
Max dimensions (cm)
56 x 35 x 23 cm
Weight limit
No published limit
Fee
Free
Gate-check risk
Low

Delta publishes no carry-on weight limit on most routes. One carry-on plus one personal item included on all fares.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (in)
Not published
Max dimensions (cm)
Not published
Included
Yes, free
Weight
Not published

Must fit under the seat in front of you. No published dimensions, but purses, small backpacks, and laptop bags are accepted.

See checked bag fees & more

Does your bag fit on Delta Air Lines?

Check it against every airline

Alliance and loyalty

Alliance
SkyTeam
Loyalty program
SkyMiles
Official partner airlines

Delta Air Lines carry-on dimensions and bag size

The maximum Delta Air Lines carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 35 x 23 cm as Delta Air Lines publishes it. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can go over if its wheels push the total past 22 inches. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Delta Air Lines carry-on weight limit

Delta Air Lines does not publish a specific carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. Our guidance: pack it light enough that you can lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself.

Does Delta Air Lines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Delta Air Lines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Delta Main Basic fare.

What bags fit as a Delta Air Lines personal item

Common bag types compared against the Delta Air Lines personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag typeTypical sizeOn Delta Air Lines
Standard backpack
Everyday daypack, laptop backpack
18 x 13 x 8"Under-seat only
Tote bag
Canvas or leather tote
15 x 14 x 5"Under-seat only
Laptop bag
Messenger or slim briefcase
16 x 12 x 4"Under-seat only
Small duffel
Gym or weekender
18 x 11 x 11"Under-seat only
Purse
Handbag or crossbody
12 x 10 x 5"Under-seat only
Under-seat roller
Mini wheeled bag
16 x 14 x 8"Under-seat only

Delta Air Lines carry-on by fare class

FareCarry-onPersonal itemNotes
Basic Economy (Main Basic)IncludedIncludedFull carry-on allowed, same allowance as Main Cabin.
Main CabinIncludedIncludedOne carry-on plus one personal item, no fee.
Delta Comfort+IncludedIncludedBoards in Zone 4, earlier access to overhead bins.
First ClassIncludedIncludedPriority boarding, overhead bin usually available.
Delta OneIncludedIncludedSky Priority boarding, dedicated bin space on widebodies.

Delta Air Lines overhead bin size by aircraft

Delta Connection regional jets with 50 seats or fewer (CRJ-200, Embraer 145) do not accommodate full-size carry-ons in the cabin. Bags larger than a personal item are pink-tagged and gate-checked planeside for free. Mainline 717s, 737s, A220s, A319/320/321s and widebody A330/A350 aircraft accept the standard 22x14x9 carry-on.

Avoiding gate-check on Delta Air Lines

Delta boards in zones 1 through 8 with Sky Priority first. A Delta SkyMiles American Express card gets you into Zone 5 (Main Cabin 1) ahead of most economy passengers, which is usually enough to secure overhead space. Medallion elites and Comfort+ passengers board before Main Cabin, so upgrading or holding status materially reduces gate-check risk.

What counts as a personal item on Delta Air Lines

Allowed

  • Purse
  • Laptop bag
  • Small backpack
  • Briefcase
  • Camera bag
  • Diaper bag

Counts as a second carry-on

  • Full-size rolling suitcase
  • Large duffel bag
  • Oversized tote that will not fit under the seat
  • Garment bag over 22 inches

Common Delta Air Lines carry-on mistakes

  • Assuming a 50-seat CRJ will fit a standard roller bag, it will not and you will be valet-tagged at the jet bridge.
  • Booking Main Basic and expecting earlier boarding, Basic Economy still boards last even though the carry-on is included.
  • Bringing a structured tote plus a roller bag and a purse, Delta enforces one carry-on plus one personal item, not three.
  • Measuring a bag without wheels and handles, Delta's 22x14x9 limit includes all protrusions at the sizer.
  • Expecting flight attendants to lift bags, Delta policy explicitly says crew cannot proactively assist with overhead stowage.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Delta Air Lines

If your carry-on does not fit or the flight is full, gate agents tag it with a pink Gate Claim planeside tag and load it in the cargo hold. Delta does not publish a fee for standard gate-checks on oversold flights or regional jets, these are handled free. You retrieve the bag at the jet bridge on arrival.

Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines carry-on

Delta and United share identical 22x14x9 carry-on dimensions. On the personal item, United publishes a 17 x 10 x 9 inch limit, while Delta publishes no size and only requires that it fit under the seat in front of you. The bigger split is Basic Economy. Delta Main Basic still includes a full carry-on and personal item, while United Basic Economy on domestic routes restricts passengers to a personal item only unless they hold MileagePlus elite status or a United credit card. Both airlines free-gate-check on 50-seat regional jets. For travelers who buy the cheapest fare, Delta is the more forgiving carrier.

See United Airlines carry-on size
Delta Air Lines checked baggage fees
Domestic economy
1st bag$45
2nd bag$55
Long-haul / international
1st bagNot published
Weight limit50 lb
Linear dim62 in
Overweight & oversize
51–70 lb$100
71–100 lb$200
63–80 in$200

Domestic Main Cabin fees are $45 first / $55 second bag. On transatlantic US-Europe routes, overweight 51-70 lb is $100 and oversize 63-80 in is $300. SkyMiles Medallion members and Delta SkyMiles cardholders receive the first bag free on eligible tickets.

Ways to skip the Delta Air Lines checked bag fee

  1. Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Delta Air Lines carry-on size.
  2. Check your SkyMiles status. See whether your tier includes a free checked bag on Delta Air Lines.
Delta Air Lines special items & sports equipment
Ski / snowboard
As a checked bagsee details below
Golf clubs
As a checked bagsee details below
Bicycle
As a checked bagsee details below
Pet in cabin
$150varies by route
Pet as cargo
Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments count as carry-on. Larger instruments can be checked within the standard allowance or purchased as an extra cabin seat.

Ski, snowboard, golf, and bike equipment are accepted as checked baggage at standard checked bag fees; bags over 50 lb pay the overweight fee, and items over 115 linear inches or 100 lb are not accepted. Pet-in-cabin fee is $150 each way within the U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI and $200 international for tickets issued on/after April 8, 2025. In-cabin pet limits are set per cabin: 4 in Delta Main/Delta Comfort, 2 in Delta First (domestic, not on flat-bed seats), and none in Business Class, Delta One, or Delta Premium.

Delta Air Lines basic economy restrictions
Delta Main BasicDelta Air Lines' lowest fare tier
Carry-on allowed
Yes
Personal item allowed
Yes
Checked bag surcharge
$45
  • No seat selection until check-in
  • Last boarding group
  • No ticket changes after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation period, though changing or cancelling for a fee may be available
  • No upgrades
  • No SkyMiles, MQDs, or Medallion status credit (zero earning)
Does my checked bag transfer to Delta Air Lines' partner airlines?

Yes, on a single ticket. Delta Air Lines holds checked-bag interline agreements with 176 airlines, so when your itinerary is booked as one ticket your bag is through-checked to the final destination on any of those carriers. You collect it once, at the end, not at the connecting airport. If your onward flight is on a carrier not on this list, or the two legs are on separate tickets, you must claim the bag at the connection, clear customs where required, and re-check it yourself, so allow extra connection time.

Through-check partners we cover (46 of 176):

Plus 130 more partner airlines not yet profiled on this site.

Delta Air Lines also files e-ticket interline with 133 carriers, which lets two airlines sell a single through-ticket. Through-checked bags depend on the baggage agreement above, not the e-ticket count. Interline partners verified May 2026 from ExpertFlyer, Travel Information, Interline Agreements (Premium tier).

Frequently asked questions

What is the Delta Air Lines carry-on size limit?

Delta Air Lines allows carry-on bags up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. There is no published weight limit.

What are the Delta Air Lines carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Delta Air Lines carry-on size limit in centimeters is 56 x 35 x 23 cm. Delta Air Lines publishes the inch size as 22 x 14 x 9". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Delta Air Lines carry-on weight limit?

Delta Air Lines does not publish a carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. Our guidance: pack it light enough that you can lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself.

Does Delta Air Lines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Delta Air Lines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Delta Main Basic fare.

What is the Delta Air Lines personal item size?

Delta Air Lines does not publish personal item dimensions. Must fit under the seat in front of you. No published dimensions, but purses, small backpacks, and laptop bags are accepted.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Delta Air Lines?

Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on Delta Air Lines as Low. It is our own rating, not a figure Delta Air Lines publishes. Overhead bin space is usually sufficient on full flights.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Delta Air Lines carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the Delta Air Lines carry-on limit of 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm). Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Delta Air Lines?

Delta Air Lines does not publish exact personal item dimensions. Our guidance: a small daypack that slides fully under the seat is the safest choice; oversized hiking or travel backpacks count as a carry-on.

Is there a weight limit for personal items on Delta Air Lines?

Delta Air Lines does not publish a weight limit for personal items. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.

How much does a checked bag cost on Delta Air Lines?

The first checked bag on Delta Air Lines costs $45 for domestic economy. A second bag costs $55. International fares and premium cabins may include free checked bags.

What are the Delta Air Lines overweight and oversize bag fees?

Delta Air Lines charges $100 for bags weighing 51 to 70 lb, $200 for 71 to 100 lb, and $200 for bags measuring 63 to 80 linear inches. Bags over 100 lb or 80 inches are generally refused.

Will my checked bag transfer to Delta Air Lines' partner airlines?

On a single ticket, yes. Delta Air Lines has checked-bag interline agreements with 176 airlines, so your bag is through-checked to your final destination and you collect it only at the end. If your connecting flight is on a carrier without an agreement, or the legs are booked on separate tickets, you must claim and re-check the bag at the connection yourself.

Flying Delta Air Lines out of these airports?

Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Delta Air Lines hubs and focus cities.

Delta Air Lines head-to-head comparisons

In-depth comparisons between Delta Air Lines and another carrier, covering bags, seats, on-time performance, routes, and loyalty.

Sources

Facts, costs, and travel details in this carry-on guide were verified against the following sources. See our research methodology for how we vet and update data.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.

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