Compare American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for the same passenger, route, ticket date and measured bag. The key policy difference is explained below; either live itinerary quote can still change the result.
What we could confirm
| Field | American Airlines | Delta Air Lines |
|---|---|---|
| What we know | Some rules checked | Some rules checked |
| Standard weight | 50 lb | 50 lb |
| Standard outside size | 62 linear in | 62 linear in |
Compare the same purchase conditions
The American Airlines and Delta Air Lines details above may cover different fares or routes. Check who flies each leg and what each ticket includes before you compare a bag charge.
What changes between these airlines
A bag that is both heavy and large can cost more in different ways. For the example shown here, American uses the higher applicable weight or size charge; Delta adds the applicable charges. Check that rule before you compare headline first-bag prices.
| Airline | When it applies | Standard bag limit | Published fee example |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | U.S. domestic, AA-marketed and AA-operated flights; ticket date, fare and payment channel are mandatory. | 50 lb; 62 linear in | Main Cabin after April 9: first/second bag $45/$55 online or $50/$60 at the airport. |
| Delta Air Lines | Standard U.S. domestic baggage; eligible fare and benefit checks remain necessary. | 50 lb; 62 linear in | $45 first bag, $55 second bag and $200 third bag. |
The examples above may use different routes, fares, or dates. Don’t subtract one from the other as if they were quotes for the same flight. Use the interactive comparison for your own bag, then open both airlines’ booking flows for the final charge.
Compare your own trip
- Find the fare on each ticket and the airline flying each leg.
- Compare the same bag number, weight, and outside size for the same traveler and direction.
- Keep taxes, currency, and purchase timing in view. If either airline needs a booking quote, you don’t have a reliable price difference yet.
Check your bag dimensions · Compare fare plus baggage
Official sources and evidence
- American Airlines: Checked bag fees and policies (official search excerpt; checked 2026-10-31)
- American Airlines: Oversize and overweight bags (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)
- Delta Air Lines: Baggage overview (official search excerpt; checked 2026-10-31)
- Delta Air Lines: Excess, overweight and oversized baggage (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)