Last updated: 31 October 2026.
Delta lets you check in online, in the Fly Delta app, at a kiosk, at a desk or at the curb. Always bring government-issued photo ID, and international travellers need extra documents, which Delta FlyReady helps with.
24 hoursbefore departure when online and app check-in open
45 minbag check cutoff at most US airports
30 mincheck-in cutoff without bags on US flights
15 minbe at the gate ready to board on US flights
Key times
Within the USA
- Arrive
- 2 hours before departure (recommended)
- Check-in with bags
- 45 minutes before
- Check-in without bags
- 30 minutes before
- At the gate
- Be at the gate 15 minutes ahead
Outside the USA
- Arrive
- 3 hours before (recommended)
- Check-in with bags
- 1 hour before (required)
- Check-in without bags
- 1 hour before
- At the gate
- 45 minutes before (recommended)
- Online check-in starts a day ahead. Airport bag acceptance begins no earlier than 6 hours before take-off.
- US airports with longer limits for domestic flights with bags: New York JFK and St. Croix 60 minutes, St. Thomas 90 minutes (60 minutes without bags). On international departures from US airports the limit is 1 hour at many, and 1.5 hours at St. Croix and St. Thomas; Delta advises 90 to 120 minutes at JFK.
- Required earlier check-in on international departures: 120 minutes at Accra and Athens; 90 minutes at Dakar, Lagos, Providenciales, Marrakech and St. Lucia; 75 minutes at Aruba, Bermuda, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Naples, Nassau, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Delta recommends 4 hours at Accra and Dublin and 3.5 hours at Naples.
Ways to check in
- Online: start from Check In or My Trips using the confirmation, SkyMiles or card number, then print the pass or keep a digital one on your phone.
- The Fly Delta app checks you in by itself a day before take-off when you are logged in, and its Today Mode shows your pass and bag tracker.
- Kiosk: type in a SkyMiles, confirmation or eTicket number to check in, print the pass, add bags, swap seats, file service requests and attach a frequent flyer number.
- Desk and curbside: curbside desks at most US airports accept bags with no fee, with tips welcome; oversized baggage may need the oversize area. Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members and Delta One, Premium Select and First passengers use the Sky Priority lane.
Questions travellers ask us
When can I check in online?
From a day before departure.
When must I check bags by?
45 minutes before at most US airports on domestic flights, and 1 hour on international flights.
Can I drop bags at the curb?
Yes, at most US airports, free of charge.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Delta Air Lines. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
2 questions and answers
Delta has curbside check in facility at about 100 airports in USA. Since MIA is an important airport, we believe, but can not say with certainty, that the curbside checkin for Delta would be available there. Please get in touch with airline directly for confirmation.
2 bags of 23 kg each is free check in baggage allownace and there is no weight limit for cabin baggage but size limit of 114 cm (L+B+H) shall be observed.