Delta Air Lines: the complete traveler's guide

Everything you need for a Delta trip in one place — hubs and routes, cabins from Delta Main to Delta One, baggage, check-in and SkyMiles — plus how to reach Delta directly or get help from a live BargainAirTicket agent, 24/7 in English and Spanish.

BargainAirTicket is an independent travel agency. We are not Delta Air Lines and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Delta Air Lines. This guide is for information only. You can manage your booking yourself at delta.com at no cost. If you'd rather we handle it, our agents assist for a service fee, quoted before you're charged.

Get help with a specific task

Jump straight to the guide for what you need.

Change or cancelDates, cancellations, name fixes BaggageAllowance & extra bags Seats & upgradesChoose or upgrade Flight statusDelays & rebooking

About Delta Air Lines

A quick profile of the carrier.

Founded in 1925, Delta Air Lines is one of the world's largest and oldest airlines, headquartered in Atlanta. It flies an enormous domestic US network plus international service across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and runs the SkyMiles loyalty program, whose miles don't expire.

Founded

1925

Alliance

SkyTeam

Loyalty

SkyMiles

Main hub

Atlanta (ATL)

Hubs & route network

Where the airline is based and where it flies.

Delta runs one of the largest hub networks in the world. Your Delta trip most likely connects through one of these:

ATL

Atlanta

Main hub — world's busiest

DTW

Detroit

Hub

MSP

Minneapolis–St. Paul

Hub

SLC

Salt Lake City

Western hub

JFK / LGA

New York

Hub

SEA

Seattle

Pacific gateway

Atlanta (ATL) is Delta's primary connecting point and the busiest airport in the world — many Delta itineraries route through it, often on a single connection.

Delta Air Lines route network

Schematic of the airline's main hubs and popular routes we book — not to scale. For the full current network, see delta.com.

Popular routes we book

Call for phone-only fares.

New York → Atlanta JFK–ATLCall for fare Atlanta → Los Angeles ATL–LAXCall for fare Detroit → Orlando DTW–MCOCall for fare Atlanta → London ATL–LHRCall for fare

Fares & cabins — what's included

Delta's branded cabins, from the lowest fare up. Exact inclusions vary by route and aircraft.

Delta Main Basic

Formerly Basic Economy — the lowest, most restricted fare. Seat assigned at check-in, last boarding zone, no changes, and cancellations give only a partial eCredit. Best only if price is all that matters.

Delta Main

The standard Main Cabin experience — seat selection, snacks and full SkyMiles earning, with change fees removed on most routes.

Delta Comfort

Formerly Comfort+ — extra legroom, dedicated space and earlier boarding.

Delta Premium Select

A premium cabin on long-haul aircraft, with a wider seat, more recline and elevated service.

Delta First / Delta One

Delta First is the domestic first-class cabin; Delta One is the international business/flagship cabin with lie-flat seats on eligible routes.

Not sure which fare fits your trip and budget? An agent can compare them for you on the call.

Not sure which fare or route is best?

Tell an agent your dates and we'll find the right option — plus phone-only fares across 500+ airlines.

Call +1 (833) 667-2918

Baggage — the essentials

General guidance. Your exact allowance depends on your cabin, route and Medallion status.

Carry-on:

Most fares include a carry-on plus a personal item. Delta Main Basic still allows a carry-on on most routes — but always confirm for yours.

Checked bags:

Charged by count and weight on most domestic routes; some international and premium fares include them. Medallion status and eligible cards can waive checked-bag charges.

Overweight / oversize / special items:

Cheaper added in advance than at the airport. Sports gear and special items usually need advance arrangement.

We can confirm your exact allowance and pre-pay bags for you — just call.

Check-in & boarding

How to be ready on the day.

Delta online check-in on delta.com and the Fly Delta app generally opens 24 hours before departure and closes shortly before the flight. Airport bag-drop and boarding cutoffs vary by airport and by domestic vs. international — arrive earlier for international departures.

Boarding is done in numbered zones; Delta One, First, Comfort and Medallion members board earlier, and Delta Main Basic boards last.

SkyMiles loyalty program

The airline's frequent-flyer program.

SkyMiles lets you earn and redeem miles on Delta and SkyTeam partners for flights, upgrades and more — and Delta SkyMiles never expire. Higher Medallion tiers unlock priority check-in and boarding, complimentary upgrades, free checked bags and Sky Club access on eligible fares. If you have a SkyMiles number, give it to us when booking and we'll add it to your reservation.

Delta Air Lines: frequently asked

Quick answers — call us for anything specific to your booking.

How do I change or cancel my Delta flight?+

It depends on your fare. Delta Main and above have no change fee on most US and international routes; Delta Main Basic can't be changed and only gives a partial eCredit if cancelled. Delta's 24-hour risk-free cancellation applies to every fare. Have your confirmation number ready and call us, or manage it at delta.com.

What happens if Delta cancels or delays my flight?+

You're generally entitled to rebooking on the next available flight or a refund; extra rights can apply by route and cause. Seats fill quickly, so call us right away and we'll re-route you.

What is SkyMiles and do the miles expire?+

SkyMiles is Delta's loyalty program, and its miles do not expire. You earn and redeem on Delta and SkyTeam partners for flights and upgrades. Give us your SkyMiles number when booking and we'll add it to your reservation.

How do I travel with a pet or as an unaccompanied minor on Delta?+

These need advance arrangement and have specific rules. Call us and we'll set them up correctly on your reservation, or arrange them yourself at delta.com.