DELTA AIRLINES: COMPLETE GUIDE 2026
The Ultimate Resource for Delta Travelers
The Ultimate Resource for Delta Travelers
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is one of the major airlines of the
United States and a legacy carrier. The airline is
headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and operates over
5,400 flights daily.
Founded in 1929 as a crop dusting operation called
Huff Daland Dusters, the company was renamed Delta Air
Service in 1928, after the Mississippi Delta region it
served. Delta is the oldest operating airline in the
United States.
Key Historical Milestones:
- 1929: Founded as crop dusting company
- 1941: Moved headquarters to Atlanta
- 1953: Merged with Chicago and Southern Air Lines
- 1972: Became the first airline to employ an all-widebody fleet
- 1991: Acquired Pan Am's transatlantic routes
- 2008: Merged with Northwest Airlines
- 2010: Became world's largest airline by passengers
Today, Delta serves 325+ destinations in 52 countries
across six continents. The airline is a founding member
of the SkyTeam alliance.
Delta operates one of the most modern and diverse fleets
in the industry. As of 2026, Delta's fleet consists of:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AIRCRAFT TYPE │ QUANTITY │ ROUTES │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Airbus A220-100 │ 45 │ Domestic │
│ Airbus A220-300 │ 56 │ Domestic │
│ Airbus A319-100 │ 56 │ Domestic │
│ Airbus A320-200 │ 62 │ Domestic │
│ Airbus A321-200 │ 127 │ Dom/Int'l │
│ Airbus A330-200 │ 11 │ International │
│ Airbus A330-300 │ 31 │ International │
│ Airbus A330-900neo │ 30 │ International │
│ Airbus A350-900 │ 29 │ International │
│ Boeing 737-800 │ 77 │ Domestic │
│ Boeing 737-900ER │ 130 │ Dom/Int'l │
│ Boeing 757-200 │ 111 │ Dom/Int'l │
│ Boeing 757-300 │ 16 │ Domestic │
│ Boeing 767-300ER │ 56 │ International │
│ Boeing 767-400ER │ 21 │ International │
│ Boeing 777-200ER │ 8 │ International │
│ Boeing 777-200LR │ 10 │ International │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TOTAL │ 876 │ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Delta has committed to sustainable aviation, ordering
fuel-efficient aircraft and investing in sustainable
aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives.
Delta's extensive network spans across the globe:
NORTH AMERICA:
Delta serves all 50 U.S. states, with major hubs in:
- Atlanta (ATL) - World's busiest airport, Delta's HQ
- Detroit (DTW) - Major midwest hub
- Los Angeles (LAX) - West coast gateway
- Minneapolis (MSP) - Northern hub
- New York (JFK/LGA) - East coast hubs
- Salt Lake City (SLC) - Western mountain hub
- Seattle (SEA) - Pacific Northwest hub
- Boston (BOS) - Northeast focus city
INTERNATIONAL:
- Europe: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Frankfurt, etc.
- Asia: Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore
- Latin America: Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires
- Caribbean: 40+ destinations
- Africa: Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra
- Middle East: Tel Aviv, Dubai (partnership)
- Australia: Sydney (via partners)
Delta's SkyTeam Alliance partnerships extend reach to
1,000+ destinations worldwide through codeshare agreements
with Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and other partners.
Delta SkyMiles is one of the most valuable airline loyalty
programs in the industry.
MEMBERSHIP TIERS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TIER │ MQMs Required │ Key Benefits │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Member │ 0 │ Earn miles │
│ Silver Medallion │ 25,000 │ Priority board │
│ Gold Medallion │ 50,000 │ Upgrades │
│ Platinum Medallion│ 75,000 │ Choice rewards │
│ Diamond Medallion │ 125,000 │ Top tier perks │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
EARNING MILES:
- Flights: 5 miles per dollar spent
- Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards: 2x miles on Delta purchases
- Partner Hotels: 500-5,000 miles per stay
- Car Rentals: 500+ miles per rental
- Shopping Portal: 1-10x miles at retailers
REDEEMING MILES:
- Flights: Starting at 5,000 miles one-way
- Upgrades: Varies by route
- Seat Selection: 1,500+ miles
- Delta Vacations: Combine miles + cash
- Gift Cards: Available through partners
Pro Tips:
1. Book early for better award availability
2. Be flexible with dates for lower redemption rates
3. Consider partner airlines for international redemptions
4. Use miles for premium cabin upgrades
Understanding Delta's baggage policy helps avoid
unexpected fees at the airport.
CARRY-ON BAGGAGE:
- 1 carry-on bag: 22" x 14" x 9" (fits overhead bin)
- 1 personal item: 18" x 14" x 8" (fits under seat)
- Weight: No strict limit for carry-on
CHECKED BAGGAGE:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CABIN CLASS │ 1st Bag │ 2nd Bag │ Weight │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Basic Economy │ $35 │ $45 │ 50 lbs │
│ Main Cabin │ $35 │ $45 │ 50 lbs │
│ Delta Comfort+ │ FREE │ $45 │ 50 lbs │
│ First Class │ FREE │ FREE │ 70 lbs │
│ Delta One │ FREE (3) │ FREE │ 70 lbs │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Medallion Status: │
│ Silver │ FREE │ $45 │ 50 lbs │
│ Gold │ FREE │ FREE │ 70 lbs │
│ Platinum │ FREE (3) │ FREE │ 70 lbs │
│ Diamond │ FREE (3) │ FREE │ 70 lbs │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
OVERWEIGHT/OVERSIZE FEES:
- 51-70 lbs: $100 per bag
- 71-100 lbs: $200 per bag
- Oversized (62"+ linear): $150 per bag
SPECIAL ITEMS:
- Sports equipment: $35-150 depending on item
- Musical instruments: May qualify as carry-on
- Pet carriers: $95-200 depending on route
Need assistance with your Delta booking? The airline
offers multiple channels for customer support.
PHONE SUPPORT:
For immediate assistance with bookings, changes,
cancellations, or refunds, Delta's dedicated customer
service team is available 24/7.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ 📞 DELTA CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1--844--702--0790 │
│ │
│ Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week │
│ Average wait time: Under 5 minutes │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Our experienced agents can help with:
- New bookings and reservations
- Flight changes and modifications
- Cancellation and refund requests
- SkyMiles account inquiries
- Special assistance requests
- Baggage claims and issues
- Seat selection and upgrades
For faster service, have your confirmation number and
SkyMiles number ready when calling 1-800-XXX-XXXX.
ONLINE SUPPORT:
- Delta.com - Manage bookings online
- Fly Delta App - Mobile booking and check-in
- Delta Messenger - Chat support via Facebook/Twitter
- Email - customercare@delta.com (response in 24-48 hrs)
Tips for Booking Delta Flights
Get the best deals on your next Delta flight with
these expert strategies:
BEST TIME TO BOOK:
- Domestic: 1-3 months in advance
- International: 2-8 months in advance
- Peak seasons: Book even earlier
- Last-minute: Check for deals 1-2 weeks out
CHEAPEST DAYS TO FLY:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Lowest fares
- Saturdays: Often cheaper than Sundays
- Avoid: Friday evenings, Sunday evenings, Monday mornings
PRICE TRACKING:
- Use Google Flights to track price changes
- Set up Delta price alerts for specific routes
- Consider nearby airports for better deals
- Be flexible with dates (+/- 3 days)
FARE CLASSES:
- Basic Economy: Lowest price, most restrictions
- Main Cabin: Standard fare, includes changes
- Delta Comfort+: Extra legroom, priority boarding
- First Class: Premium experience, best flexibility
- Delta One: International business class
SAVING STRATEGIES:
1. Join SkyMiles (free) to access member fares
2. Book round-trip for better rates
3. Consider connecting flights vs nonstop
4. Use Delta Vacations for hotel bundles
5. Apply for Delta credit card for bonus miles
Delta consistently ranks among the top U.S. airlines
for customer satisfaction.
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT:
- Delta Studio: Free streaming on personal devices
- Seatback screens: Available on most aircraft
- Content: 300+ movies, 750+ TV shows, games, music
- Wi-Fi: Available for purchase ($8-49 depending on flight)
- Free messaging: iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger
FOOD & BEVERAGE:
- Complimentary: Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
- Main Cabin: Buy on Board menu available
- Comfort+: Enhanced snacks included
- First/Delta One: Multi-course meals included
SEAT SPECIFICATIONS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CABIN │ PITCH │ WIDTH │ RECLINE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Main Cabin │ 31-32" │ 17.2" │ 3" │
│ Delta Comfort+ │ 34-35" │ 17.2" │ 4" │
│ First Class │ 37-38" │ 20-21" │ 5" │
│ Delta One (Dom) │ 37-38" │ 20-21" │ Full flat │
│ Delta One (Int'l)│ 78-82" │ 21-26" │ Full flat │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
AMENITIES BY CLASS:
- Main Cabin: Blanket, pillow on longer flights
- Comfort+: Dedicated overhead bins, premium snacks
- First Class: Priority everything, premium amenities
- Delta One: Lie-flat beds, Tumi amenity kits