Delta Airlines Policies: Everything You Need to Know

The Big Picture on Delta

Delta is a legacy carrier that's built a reputation for reliability and customer service, consistently ranking at or near the top in on-time performance and customer satisfaction. Major hubs include Atlanta (the world's busiest airport), Minneapolis, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Seattle, New York-JFK, and Los Angeles.

You'll get a free carry-on on all fares including Basic Economy, free wifi on a growing number of planes, and no change fees on most tickets. Bag fees are competitive with other legacy carriers, and the SkyMiles program is one of the most popular in the industry. Delta also tends to invest more in its in-flight product than competitors -- seatback screens, better food, and newer aircraft.

Carry-On and Personal Item Policy

Carry-On Bag (Free)

Every Delta passenger gets a free carry-on bag and a free personal item, regardless of fare type. That includes Basic Economy -- Delta is one of the few major airlines that doesn't restrict carry-ons on its cheapest fares.

Maximum carry-on dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including handles and wheels), or 45 linear inches total. It must fit in the overhead bin.

Personal Item

Your personal item -- purse, small backpack, laptop bag, briefcase -- must fit under the seat in front of you. Delta doesn't publish strict size limits for personal items, but think small enough to slide under a standard airline seat.

Checked Baggage Fees

Delta's checked bag fees for most domestic flights:

• 1st checked bag: $35
• 2nd checked bag: $45
• 3rd+ bags: $150-$200 each

Fees vary by route, especially on international itineraries. Use Delta's online bag fee calculator to get the exact cost for your specific trip. Standard checked bags must be 62 linear inches or smaller and weigh 50 lbs or less.

Overweight bags (51-70 lbs) cost $100, and oversized bags (63-80 linear inches) run $200. Bags over 70 lbs or 80 linear inches aren't accepted on most routes.

How to Avoid Bag Fees

• Delta SkyMiles American Express Card: 1 free checked bag for cardholders and companions on the same reservation
• SkyMiles Medallion Silver: 1 free checked bag
• SkyMiles Medallion Gold and above: 2-3 free checked bags
• SkyTeam Elite status: 1 free checked bag
• First Class and Delta One: Checked bags included
• Active military: Free checked bags with valid ID

Cancellation and Change Policy

Delta eliminated change fees on most tickets and has one of the more flexible cancellation policies among major airlines:

• 24-hour rule: Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to your original payment method
• Main Cabin and above: No change or cancellation fees. If you cancel, you'll receive an eCredit for the ticket value. Fare differences apply when rebooking
• Basic Economy: Non-refundable and changes are not permitted after the 24-hour window
• Refundable fares: Full refund to your original payment method at any time

If Delta cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, you're entitled to a full refund regardless of fare type.

eCredits

When you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you get an eCredit that can be applied to future Delta flights. eCredits are valid for one year from the original ticket issue date. They're tied to the passenger name on the original ticket.

Name Change Policy

Delta allows limited name changes on tickets:

• Minor corrections: Typos and misspellings can be fixed at no charge by calling Delta or visiting a ticket counter
• Legal name changes: Changes due to marriage, divorce, or court orders are accepted with documentation
• Transfers: You can't transfer a ticket to another person. You'd need to cancel and rebook

Always make sure your booking name matches your government-issued ID exactly. The easiest time to fix a name issue is within 24 hours of booking, when you can cancel for free and rebook.

Seat Selection Policy

Your seat selection options depend on your fare:

• Basic Economy: No seat selection at booking. Seats are assigned at check-in, and you might get a middle seat
• Main Cabin: Free standard seat selection at booking
• Delta Comfort+: Extra-legroom seats available for purchase, typically $30-$100+ per segment
• First Class / Delta One: Full seat selection included

Medallion members get complimentary preferred seat selection and complimentary Comfort+ upgrades when available, depending on their tier. If you're traveling with family or a group on Basic Economy, there's a real chance you'll be seated apart -- pay for seat selection or book a higher fare if sitting together matters.

Upgrading Your Seat

Delta offers upgrade opportunities through the Fly Delta app, at check-in, and at the gate. Complimentary upgrades to First Class are available to Medallion members on domestic flights when space permits. You can also use SkyMiles to bid on upgrades or purchase them outright when offered. Delta One Suites on international widebodies are the pinnacle -- fully enclosed suites with lie-flat beds and direct aisle access.

Pet Policy

Delta allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to fly in the cabin on select routes:

• Domestic cabin fee: $150 each way within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• International cabin fee: $200 each way, including to/from Brazil
• Carrier requirements: Must fit comfortably under the seat in front of you. Soft-sided carriers are recommended
• Limit: First-come, first-served with a cap on the number of pets per flight

Delta discontinued its cargo pet shipping program (Delta Cargo Live Animals) for most pets. In-cabin is the primary option for small animals. Contact Delta Reservations as soon as possible after booking to add your pet -- spots fill up quickly on popular routes.

Emotional support animals are no longer accepted. Only trained service dogs are allowed to fly without a carrier, and they must meet Delta's documentation requirements.

Wifi and Entertainment

Delta has been aggressively rolling out free wifi across its fleet under the Delta Sync brand:

• Free wifi: Available on over 75% of Delta's fleet (1,000+ aircraft) via Delta Sync. Just log in with your SkyMiles account
• Coverage: Free on equipped domestic and transatlantic routes. The rollout is expected to reach the entire fleet by the end of the year
• Speed: Streaming-quality speeds on equipped aircraft -- fast enough for Netflix, video calls, and large downloads
• Non-SkyMiles members: Can purchase wifi on flights where Delta Sync isn't available

SkyMiles membership is free, so sign up before your flight to take advantage. On aircraft not yet upgraded, wifi is available for purchase.

Delta also offers seatback entertainment screens on most of its mainline fleet with free movies, TV shows, and music. On planes without screens, you can stream through the Delta app on your own device.

Other Key Policies

Unaccompanied Minors

Children ages 5-14 must travel as unaccompanied minors on nonstop flights only. The fee is $150 each way for domestic flights. Kids 15-17 can travel alone without the service.

Boarding

Delta boards in zones. Delta One, First Class, and Diamond Medallion members board first. Sky Priority covers Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members plus premium cardholders. Main Cabin boards in numbered zones based on fare and check-in time. Basic Economy boards last.

Standby

Same-day standby is available through the Fly Delta app at no cost for Main Cabin and above. Same-day confirmed changes (guaranteed seat on an earlier flight) are free for Medallion members and available for a fee for others. Basic Economy isn't eligible for standby.

Food and Drinks

Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on all flights. Alcoholic beverages cost $10-$12 in Main Cabin on domestic routes. Longer flights and premium cabins offer complimentary meals. Delta One international flights feature multi-course meals and premium wine.

SkyMiles Program

Delta's loyalty program earns miles based on dollars spent. Medallion tiers are Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, each offering progressively better perks including upgrades, lounge access, bonus miles, and fee waivers. Delta recently added Medallion Qualification Dollar requirements, so earning status requires both flying frequently and spending enough on fares.

Delta Sky Clubs

Delta operates Sky Club lounges at its hub airports and other major cities. Access requires an annual membership ($695+), a Delta Reserve or Delta One ticket, Diamond Medallion status, or an Amex Centurion Card. Day passes aren't available for purchase. Sky Clubs offer complimentary food, premium drinks, showers at some locations, and a much more comfortable pre-flight experience than the terminal.

SkyTeam Alliance

Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Air France-KLM, Korean Air, Aeromexico, and others. Your SkyMiles status extends to partner airlines, meaning you'll get lounge access, priority boarding, and bag fee waivers when flying on SkyTeam carriers. You can also earn and redeem SkyMiles on all partner flights.

Power and Charging

Most Delta aircraft have power outlets at every seat -- either USB-A, USB-C, or standard AC outlets depending on the plane. Newer aircraft tend to have all three options. Bring your cables so you can stay charged for the free Delta Sync wifi.