Delta carry on policy?

[delmar411]

How is Delta for carry ons? Will I be able to fit my rolling carry on sized suitcase in the overheads?

TIA for any info!

 

[smitch425]

How is Delta for carry ons? Will I be able to fit my rolling carry on sized suitcase in the overheads?

TIA for any info!

Our rolling carry ons fit just fine in the overheads. There should be measurements on their site. As long as your bag is the proper size, you should have no trouble at all.

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/carryon/index.jsp

Carry-on Baggage Size Restrictions
When oversized bags do not fit in the overhead bins, delays occur. Fees will be applied to the oversized bag if it has to be checked at the gate. To avoid delays as well as fees, follow these size requirements:

Baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches (or 115 cm) in combined length, width, and height.
Baggage must fit easily in the Carry-on Baggage Check, which is located near the check-in counters and at the gate and is approximately 22" x 14" x 9" (or 56 x 36 x 23 cm).

Be careful to watch overstuffing it. I was on a flight last year where someone had it so stuffed that it would not fit through the opening of the overhead. She had to start emptying jeans out of it. She was blocking the aisle during boarding. Finally she got it wedged in with the help of 2 men. I thought the F/A should have just made her check it, it was ridiculous.

 

[delmar411]

thanks to you both! I'll make sure to keep the measuring tape handy while packing. Actually I'll go measure the bags now...don't want to find out last minute the bags are too big! LOL

 

[Sandi]

How is Delta for carry ons? Will I be able to fit my rolling carry on sized suitcase in the overheads?

TIA for any info!

Sometimes it will depend on the size of the plane. Some of the smaller planes -- think commuter jets -- have smaller overhead bins that don't fit the usual carry on size roller bags. HOWEVER, they will gate check those bags for you (pink tag) and you can pick it up plane-side after the flight.

I just flew Delta Detroit to Dallas and back this week. Both planes were the smaller plane where the overhead bins weren't big enough for the carry on bag I had that does fit in the overhead bins on the bigger planes. I also had a laptop bag that fit under the seat in front of me.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I fly Delta weekly.

As far as I can tell steamer trunks are allowed as carry ons. They honestly seem to have NO enforcement (which drives me crazy!)

However, what that means is that if you are in Group 4.. the overheads may (and often are) FULL! That's because the folks in zones 1 and 2 (the elite) think that they have "expemptions" (AKA as "they let me bring 3 or 4 on and NONE of them go under the seat in front of me" )

So be sure anything valuable is in a carryon that fits UNDER the seat in front of you in case you have to hand over the suitcase (Hint, crying, screaming and saying "I have to have this with me" won't change the facts... the bins are full and your luggage is going under the plane)

 

[delmar411]

I fly Delta weekly.

As far as I can tell steamer trunks are allowed as carry ons. They honestly seem to have NO enforcement (which drives me crazy!)

However, what that means is that if you are in Group 4.. the overheads may (and often are) FULL! That's because the folks in zones 1 and 2 (the elite) think that they have "expemptions" (AKA as "they let me bring 3 or 4 on and NONE of them go under the seat in front of me" )

So be sure anything valuable is in a carryon that fits UNDER the seat in front of you in case you have to hand over the suitcase (Hint, crying, screaming and saying "I have to have this with me" won't change the facts... the bins are full and your luggage is going under the plane)

Will I be charged for them gate checking the bags if there is no more overhead room?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Will I be charged for them gate checking the bags if there is no more overhead room?

No! If they think it's going to be full they start announcing that in the gate area. That's when the Steamer trunks often appear. It's apparent that some of these folks KNOW there's no way in HECK that bag would EVER fit in an overhead (not to mention that there's no way they could lift it) but are counting on the fact that Delta will check it for free if they get it to the gate! LOL

 

[delmar411]

No! If they think it's going to be full they start announcing that in the gate area. That's when the Steamer trunks often appear. It's apparent that some of these folks KNOW there's no way in HECK that bag would EVER fit in an overhead (not to mention that there's no way they could lift it) but are counting on the fact that Delta will check it for free if they get it to the gate! LOL

Thanks for the info! We normally have DH carry all the electronics so I'll just make sure his personal bag fits under the plane seat and plan for the rest of the carry ons to be unavailable.

 

[elaine amj]

I recently bought a slightly larger 22 inch spinner hardsided carry on. It is expandable, but there is no way it will fit in overhead on Delta unless it's NOT expanded. I was a bit worried about the bag because of the wheels as some people told me it could be problematic.

Hint: If you have a "larger" carry on (that meets requirements) and a smaller plane, GET IN LINE TO BOARD EARLY. The further behind you are in line, the more likely the overhead bins will be full and you might have to gate check.

This way, you can also turn a slightly larger bag to the side so it will fit better (and there will be room for you to do so). Keep in mind, this annoys other passengers who then cannot fit their regular sized carry ons.

We always get in line early for this reason. My last flight we didn't worry too much because we only had ONE rolling carry on between the 4 of us so I thought we would be fine. However, we had to put it in the overhead bin a couple of rows ahead which was annoying.

If you have not flown in some time, carry on size restrictions have changed a lot. In the old days, my mother had a 24 inch carry on that fit just fine. These days, it has to be under 22. If you fly Spirit, it's even smaller.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I recently bought a slightly larger 22 inch spinner hardsided carry on. It is expandable, but there is no way it will fit in overhead on Delta unless it's NOT expanded. I was a bit worried about the bag because of the wheels as some people told me it could be problematic.

Hint: If you have a "larger" carry on (that meets requirements) and a smaller plane, GET IN LINE TO BOARD EARLY. The further behind you are in line, the more likely the overhead bins will be full and you might have to gate check.

This way, you can also turn a slightly larger bag to the side so it will fit better (and there will be room for you to do so). Keep in mind, this annoys other passengers who then cannot fit their regular sized carry ons.

We always get in line early for this reason. My last flight we didn't worry too much because we only had ONE rolling carry on between the 4 of us so I thought we would be fine. However, we had to put it in the overhead bin a couple of rows ahead which was annoying.

If you have not flown in some time, carry on size restrictions have changed a lot. In the old days, my mother had a 24 inch carry on that fit just fine. These days, it has to be under 22. If you fly Spirit, it's even smaller.

You must board according to your boarding zone, so in certain cases, you cannot get in line early. And your advice to put your oversized suitcase in sideways is inconsiderate. Why should you get to take more than your share of the overhead? Another example of an inflated sense of entitlement. Take the right size suitcase or check it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I recently bought a slightly larger 22 inch spinner hardsided carry on. It is expandable, but there is no way it will fit in overhead on Delta unless it's NOT expanded. I was a bit worried about the bag because of the wheels as some people told me it could be problematic.

Hint: If you have a "larger" carry on (that meets requirements) and a smaller plane, GET IN LINE TO BOARD EARLY. The further behind you are in line, the more likely the overhead bins will be full and you might have to gate check.

This way, you can also turn a slightly larger bag to the side so it will fit better (and there will be room for you to do so). Keep in mind, this annoys other passengers who then cannot fit their regular sized carry ons.

We always get in line early for this reason. My last flight we didn't worry too much because we only had ONE rolling carry on between the 4 of us so I thought we would be fine. However, we had to put it in the overhead bin a couple of rows ahead which was annoying.

If you have not flown in some time, carry on size restrictions have changed a lot. In the old days, my mother had a 24 inch carry on that fit just fine. These days, it has to be under 22. If you fly Spirit, it's even smaller.

And here we have the problem... even though you KNOW your bag is oversized you decided "well they didn't mean MY bag, I will just board early to make sure it gets a spot"

Since this is a very common view...

Anyone see the problem?

(NOTE: SPIRIT will measure as will other airlines. Delta tends to be rather generous and not measure as often as they should!)

And as has been pointed out on Delta boarding is zone specific. So... since you are probably flying on "cheap" seats and don't have any status you are zone 3 or 4. And I have heard them making the announcements before 4 boards.

That said SOMETIMES if the plane is REALLY packed and they can see there is an issue they will make folks get down to two items....

I fly weekly on Delta. My 22" fits wheels first in the overhead. My personal item fits under my seat.. and that's it! If everyone played by the rules there would be less gatechecking. It won't all go away, the airlines have "pushed" folks to the carryon.

 

[buffettgirl]

and it's only going to get worse now that Delta is charging bag fees.

I signed up for their stupid Am Ex just so I could show it and not pay baggage fees. I'll never use it.

 

[delmar411]

I measured our carryons and they are 22" including handle and wheels so I think they should be ok. They are smaller than the max for the other 2 dimensions so I should have some wiggle room on packing/stuffing.

They will just be full of clothes so I'm not going to stress about where they end up as long as I don't have to pay to gate check them, I don't mind if they go under the plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Hint: If you have a "larger" carry on (that meets requirements) and a smaller plane, GET IN LINE TO BOARD EARLY. The further behind you are in line, the more likely the overhead bins will be full and you might have to gate check.

This way, you can also turn a slightly larger bag to the side so it will fit better (and there will be room for you to do so). Keep in mind, this annoys other passengers who then cannot fit their regular sized carry ons.

We always get in line early for this reason. My last flight we didn't worry too much because we only had ONE rolling carry on between the 4 of us so I thought we would be fine. However, we had to put it in the overhead bin a couple of rows ahead which was annoying.

As someone posted, you can't really get in line "early" these days. You can only hope to get near the front of your boarding zone. These days, some airlines let so many people board with elite FF flyers (I'm talking about you United), that non-status PAX are getting on the plane last.

You bet people are annoyed when they get to their seat and all the overhead space is gone because someone has put their bag there and put it in sideways to boot because it is too large. I have to warn you that I have seen other PAX and FAs remove these bags and sent them to gate check, so I wouldn't advise doing this.

I'll bet putting your bag over someone else's seat wasn't half as annoying to you as it was to the person in that seat.

 

[elaine amj]

You must board according to your boarding zone, so in certain cases, you cannot get in line early. And your advice to put your oversized suitcase in sideways is inconsiderate. Why should you get to take more than your share of the overhead? Another example of an inflated sense of entitlement. Take the right size suitcase or check it.

I merely pointed out that this is possible. I have never actually ever done this because I have never brought any luggage that is oversized. That said, some folks have pointed out that my 22" bag which fits just fine with wheels the "normal" way, might not fit in a smaller than normal plane, even if the airlines itself considers my bag "legal". If that happens, I either will have to put it in sideways or gate check it - whatever the airlines staff tells me to do. I always make sure my extra valuable stuff stays in a smaller bag we can keep at our feet anyway.

To date, I have never flown a plane that small - but I do typically fly longer haul international flights (although these days, I am flying more and more often to Orlando LOL!)

I also pointed out the advantages to getting in line early. For my situation, it's just to make sure I have enough space in *my* bin above my seats so I don't have to stow it in someone else's bins. Last time I flew, we brought ONE carry on between FOUR of us and we had to stow our bags two rows down because other people brought so many carry ons. Nothing to complain about, just one of those things that make it worth it for me to get in line early.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I just don't understand the advice to get in line early. Airplanes board by zones or boarding groups after pre-boards and elite members or people who have paid extra to board early. If you aren't in any of these groups, getting in the front of the one of the last boarding groups probably isn't going to help much.

 

[elaine amj]

I just don't understand the advice to get in line early. Airplanes board by zones or boarding groups after pre-boards and elite members or people who have paid extra to board early. If you aren't in any of these groups, getting in the front of the one of the last boarding groups probably isn't going to help much.

You're probably right. I typically fly Delta so not sure what the experience is like on other airlines. I just found the one and only time we were at the tail end of the line (on our last trip a few weeks back) was also the one and only time we had to put our carry on bag a few rows away. Could easily have been a coincidence. My thinking is, if 10-20 people are ahead of me, that's 10-20 more bags to fill up the bins. I've also sat and watched late boarders not have any room for their moderately sized carry ons and have to gate check.

I have no idea though and I'm inclined to believe you're right and there is no difference at all. It may also be dependent on each airline. I'm just repeating stuff I've read elsewhere on the internet.

We like getting places early - my DH hates being places in the nick of time. So, we just go early and board as early as we're allowed. So very little experience boarding late.

 

[maxiesmom]

You bet people are annoyed when they get to their seat and all the overhead space is gone because someone has put their bag there and put it in sideways to boot because it is too large. I have to warn you that I have seen other PAX and FAs remove these bags and sent them to gate check, so I wouldn't advise doing this.

I've seen that too. And I'm glad they do that, as it is beyond rude to carry a bag on, knowing it is larger than allowed, and hog space.

Your carryon needs to go in the bin, wheels first. Not sideways. I've seen FAs remove bags that were sideways. They either found another spot for them (which means a hassle for whoever put that bag up there) or they gate checked them.

 

[anonymousegirl]

and it's only going to get worse now that Delta is charging bag fees.

I signed up for their stupid Am Ex just so I could show it and not pay baggage fees. I'll never use it.

You may want to double check because I think you must pay for the ticket with the AMEX in order to get priority boarding and the waived baggage fees.