If you’re flying Delta, you get 1 carry-on and 1 personal item – no extra fees on most fares. Your carry-on should fit within 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles. And the best part? Delta doesn’t list a weight limit for carry-ons, so you can skip the scale and pack with a little more confidence.
In this article
What are Delta’s carry-on size and dimensions?
What counts as a personal item on Delta?
Delta carry-on requirements for Basic Economy.
Basic Economy carry-on rules: American vs Delta vs United.
Carry-on rules for Delta Connection flights.
What extra items can you bring on board Delta flights?
Delta carry-on rules vs TSA restrictions.
Delta Air Lines carry-on bag FAQs.
Top threeDelta carry-on luggage tips.
What are Delta’s carry-on size and dimensions?
Last updated and fact-checked: April 17, 2026.
According to Delta’s official baggage policy, all passengers, including those with Basic Economy tickets, are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. All items must comply with the following size dimensions, including wheels, handles and attachments. Delta does not specify a weight limit for carry-on luggage or personal items.
What counts as a personal item on Delta?
Delta allows all passengers to bring a personal item onboard in addition to a carry-on bag. The carrier does not specify exact size dimensions or a weight limit for personal items.
The key rule: a personal item must fit in the space under the seat in front of you. Common examples include purses, laptop bags and small backpacks. A backpack qualifies as a personal item if it fits under the seat.
Delta’s carry-on luggage requirements also allow passengers to bring other items at no charge that don’t count toward the carry-on baggage allowance. Children’s items like a diaper bag or car seat are also excluded (more on those below).
Delta carry-on requirements for Basic Economy.
Delta includes a carry-on bag even with Basic Economy fares. That’s a bonus for budget-minded travelers that not all carriers offer. But because this cabin boards last, there’’s a good chance overhead bins may be full. In that case, your carry-on bag will be gate checked for free.
The good news: You won’’t have to wait for your bag at baggage claim. You can pick it up upon deplaning.
Basic Economy carry-on rules: American vs Delta vs United.
Not all carry-on policies are created equal. Here’s how American, Delta and United stack up in Basic Economy.
| Delta Air Lines | American Airlines | United Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | 1 personal item and no full-size carry-on on most routes |
Carry-on rules for Delta Connection flights.
On Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or fewer, only one personal item may be allowed onboard. Due to limited overhead and under-seat space on these smaller regional aircraft, larger items will be tagged with a pink Gate Claim/Planeside tag and loaded in the cargo hold.
What extra items can you bring on board Delta flights?
Delta allows passengers to bring on board extra items that don’t count toward the carry-on allowance. A few examples:
- Assistive/mobility devices such as walking canes or crutches
- Coats or jackets
- Umbrellas
- Food or other items purchased at the airport
1. Delta carry-on size and policies for children’s items.
Like other major US carriers, Delta has fairly generous carry-on policies for travelers with young children. Strollers and child safety seats don’t count as part of Delta’s standard baggage allowance and can be easily checked for free. Items may be checked curbside, at the ticket counter or at the gate.
Some car seats can be brought on board as carry-on items, but Delta specifies certain restrictions for those, as noted below.
In addition, other children’s items that don’t count toward the carry-on limit include a diaper bag, breast pump and cooler bags, and a bassinet. However, these items must fit within carry-on size restrictions.
2. Are there specific rules for car seats on Delta?
Delta does note on its website specific restrictions for child safety seats, which must be FAA-approved and may be brought on board “in certain circumstances.” If you booked a seat for your child or if there is an open passenger seat in your row, you’re allowed to place your child in a safety seat during take-off and landing. Booster seats also are allowed on board, but may not be used during take-off and landing.
However, if you haven’t purchased a seat for your child or an extra passenger seat is not available, your safety seat must be gate checked. Delta notes that all safety seats must use an aircraft seat belt on board, and that safety seats aren’t allowed in an exit row or aisle seat. They are also prohibited in Delta One flatbed seats.
The bottom line: If you want to be assured the use of a safety seat for your kiddo, the bet bet is to purchase a ticket for them. In that case, they also have the same carry-on allowances as adult passengers.
3. Traveling with a stroller on Delta.
Delta allows passengers to check one stroller per child you’re traveling with for free. This can be done during check-in, at the ticket counter, or at the gate. If you prefer to gate check your stroller, be sure to get a tag from the gate agent prior to boarding.
4. Delta carry-on rules for musical instruments.
Delta suggests passengers traveling with musical instruments bring them in a case that meets the Air Transport Association (ATA) 300 required standard.
In addition, there may not be available space on board the aircraft for larger instruments such as guitars, which means they may need to be gate checked. That’s another reason to make sure they’re packed well.
Keep in mind that, as with most carriers, Delta counts musical instruments as part of passengers’ carry-on allowance. Keep that in mind as you plan what to bring onboard.
Passengers planning to bring a musical instrument onboard any Delta flight should be sure to familiarize themselves with the carrier’’s policies ahead of time and consider purchasing insurance too.
Delta carry-on rules vs TSA restrictions.
Delta’s carry-on size rules and TSA security restrictions are separate topics. Delta determines how big your bag can be. TSA determines what can go inside it.
TSA rules apply to liquids (3.4 oz containers in a quart-sized bag), electronics (laptops may need to be removed for screening) and prohibited items like sharp objects or certain batteries. These rules apply regardless of which airline you fly.
For the latest on what’s allowed through security, check the TSA website.
Delta Air Lines carry-on bag FAQs.
For quick answers to your questions about Delta carry-on bag size or other concerns, see the intel below.
Enforcement can depend on the flight. When it’s full, gate agents are more likely to check bags that look oversized. Boarding earlier or having status might buy you a little flexibility, but if your bag is clearly over the 22 x 14 x 9 in limit, there’s a good chance it’ll be gate checked.
Yes – Delta lets you bring one carry-on and one personal item. A small backpack that fits under the seat counts as your personal item, so you can still bring a full-size carry-on for the overhead bin.
Delta doesn’t typically weigh carry-on bags at the gate, and there’s no published weight limit. That said, you should still be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin – if you can’t, it may need to be checked.
Delta Basic Economy can be a good value if you don’t mind skipping seat selection. You’ll still get 1 carry-on and 1 personal item for free – same as other economy fares. The catch: Basic Economy boards last, so overhead space may be limited. If your larger bag doesn’t fit, it’ll likely be gate checked. The upside? You won’t be charged for it.
Blane Bachelor
Top three Delta carry-on luggage tips.
from travel expert, Blane Bachelor
Delta Air Lines was my preferred carrier for years, including when my son was an infant. As a parent, I appreciated its generous policies for children’s items, such as a free checked stroller. That said, I also recommend parents to consolidate their carry-on bags as much as possible — and check a bag if they need to. Traveling with a baby keeps your hands full enough as it is.
If you want to avoid the overhead bin space battle and be assured that you will have room for your carry-on bag, consider purchasing an upgraded ticket such as Comfort+. Ticket prices are higher than economy, but you can take advantage of earlier boarding and dedicated overhead bin space for that section.
As part of the SkyTeam Alliance, Delta Air Lines has several codeshare partners, which may have different carry-on guidelines and restrictions on some flights. So it’s always a good idea to double check the partner airline’s rules ahead of time in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises – like an unexpected baggage fee – during your trip, especially if you’re headed overseas.
Still have questions about Delta Air Lines carry-on size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare carry-on rules across airlines, check out our carry-on luggage guide. Need help deciding between a carry-on or checked bag? Or perhaps you’re stuck on how to pack? We have plenty of handy tips for that, too. Finally, don’t forget to check what’s allowed in a carry-on before you head to the airport.
