DL · United States · North America
Delta Air Lines hand luggage & liquid rules
Delta lets every passenger bring one carry-on bag (56×35×23 cm, 22×14×9 in) plus a personal item, free on all fares including Basic Economy on most routes. Liquids follow TSA's 3-1-1 rule: containers up to 100 ml (3.4 oz) in a single quart-size clear bag. TSA has begun a CT scanner rollout but 3-1-1 is still standard.
Cabin bag allowance
Purse, laptop bag or small backpack.
22×14×9 in. Free on all fares.
Liquid rules on this airline
- TSA's 3-1-1 rule applies at all US airports: 3.4 oz per container, one quart-size clear bag, one per passenger.
- TSA is testing CT scanners at select airports where liquids may stay in bags, but 3-1-1 is still the default rule.
Duty-free & connections
- Duty-free liquids from international origins must stay in the sealed STEB for US connections and may be re-screened.
Medicines, baby milk, batteries & vapes
- Baby formula, breast milk and juice for infants are exempt in reasonable quantities.
- Prescription medications are exempt with the container labelled and declared to TSA.
- Spare lithium batteries and vape devices must be in carry-on only.
Frequently asked
Does Delta let me bring a carry-on in Basic Economy?
Yes — a full-size carry-on plus a personal item is included in Delta Basic Economy on most routes (Basic Economy in the Caribbean and Latin America is carry-on only, hold bag extra).
Can I take a 500 ml water bottle through TSA on Delta?
Only if it's empty at the checkpoint. Fill it airside from a fountain or buy water after security.
Main hubs
Atlanta (ATL) · Detroit (DTW) · Minneapolis (MSP)
Sources
- Delta baggage overview — checked 2026-06-01
- TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule — checked 2026-06-01
Last reviewed 2026-06-01.