Delta Just Increased Baggage Fees — What to Know

06.03.2024 - 22:23 / travelandleisure.com / John F.Kennedy / Airlines

Delta Air Lines has increased baggage fees on domestic and some international routes, becoming the latest airline in the United States to do so.

The carrier increased fees for both the first and second checked bags by $5 for most domestic flights originating in the United States and on short-haul international routes, Delta confirmed to Travel + Leisure. The change, which went into effect on Tuesday, will not apply to tickets purchased before March 5.

Additionally, travelers with status, certain fare class tickets, or eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express credit cards, will still continue to receive complimentary bags, a Delta spokesperson told T+L. 

Going forward, customers will have to pay $35 (up from $30) for a first checked bag and $45 (up from $40) for a second checked bag. The fee increase will not apply to flights between the U.S. or Canada and Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, or Uruguay.

Delta noted this is the first increase the company has implemented since 2018 and said the change will help with rising industry costs. 

The increase comes on the heels of several other major carriers similarly raising baggage fees, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue, which increased its own baggage fees by $10.

It also comes months after Delta was forced to walk back some of the more dramatic changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program that make it harder to earn status or access the airline’s Delta Sky Club airport lounges after it received swift backlash following the carrier’s original announcement.

Delta is also adding new «premium» lounges to its repertoire complete with perks like a chef’s kitchen, a wellness area, and a large outdoor terrace. The new spaces will open in New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).