Delta allows passengers to carry one bag and one personal item aboard flights at no charge. Approved personal carry-on items include a purse, briefcase, diaper bag or camera bag as well as a laptop or other similar or smaller item. Whatever you choose to bring, Delta notes that it must fit underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. The airline also permits one additional "smaller" item, such as a coat or umbrella. Other additional items include food or drink purchased after passing through security, strollers, child passenger safety seats and a bag or box of duty-free merchandise.
Checked bags must weight less than 50 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches (combined length, width and height) for all Delta flights. Baggage fees vary based on your destination, according to Delta. For instance, for flights within or between the U.S., Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, your first checked bag is subject to a $23 fee if checked online and a $25 fee if checked at the airport, as of April 2010. Your second bag prompts fees of $32 and $35, respectively. Bag number three on all U.S. flights carries a $125 fee, while bags four through 10 result in a $200 fee per bag. For flights between the U.S. or Canada and Europe, your first bag is free, but you face a $50 fee for the second bag, if checked online and a $55 fee, if checked at the airport.
If your bags weigh too much or are too big, expect to pay more. Fees vary considerably based on the amount by which you exceed the limits and your destination. For instance, on domestic flights, you will pay $90 each way for checked bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds. The number ratchets up $175 for bags between 71 and 100 pounds. Delta does not permit bags in excess of 100 pounds.
Delta follows TSA law regarding permitted and prohibited items as well as regulations pertaining to travel with liquid items. Delta details its own policy, based on federal guidelines, for prohibited items on their website. For example, Delta allows alcohol on board its flights as long as it was purchased after you cleared security. It must also meet certain restrictions. It cannot exceed 140 proof in strength or five liters per person is the maximum size allowed. Delta does not allow fireworks, including sparklers, in carry-on or checked baggage at any time. The airline also prohibits bleach, cleaning solutions, pesticides and camping equipment containing fuel or fuel residue.
Refer to TSA guidance for baggage restrictions that all U.S. airports and airlines much follow. The TSA notes that many countries around the world, as of April 2010, follow TSA protocol as well.
