Delta Increases Checked Baggage Fees

Image: Delta employee tagging a checked bag. (photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:52 AM ET, Thu September 20, 2018

Joining a recent wave of changes made by other United States carriers, Delta Air Lines has increased checked bag fees to $30 for the first bag and $40 for the second.

According to the Star Tribune, Delta's increase of $5 for each bag follows recent checked baggage cost changes instituted by United Airlines and JetBlue Airways last month. Other carriers such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have not increased bag fees.

While Delta has raised the cost of checking bags, travelers can avoid the additional costs by using the Delta-branded American Express card or booking a flight in the First Class, Delta One and Premium Select cabins.

Delta's frequent fliers and active military members also do not have to pay for checked bags.

In total, Delta reportedly collected nearly $908 million in baggage fees as part of the $41 billion in revenue earned last year.

Low-cost airlines such as Frontier and Spirit also charge for checked and carry-on bags, but Delta allows passengers to bring bags aboard of a certain size without an extra cost.

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