Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, British Airways or Delta?

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Do British Airways and Delta include a carry-on on basic economy?

British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag. Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Are British Airways and Delta partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (British Airways: oneworld; Delta: SkyTeam), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

BA vs DL · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs Delta

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on; Delta wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

British Airways

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Delta

Wins 1 category

A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on; Delta wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · Delta: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · Delta: $45

Side by side

	British Airways	Delta
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	23 kg (50.7 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	oneworld	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	SkyMiles
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

British Airways allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), and Delta up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so British Airways's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

British Airways caps carry-ons at 23 kg (50.7 lb); Delta publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on British Airways, and anything that fits under the seat on Delta.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and a first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

British Airways (Basic (hand baggage only)): Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag.

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Loyalty and where they fly

British Airways is in oneworld and Delta is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and SkyMiles (Delta).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). Delta's are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose British Airways if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

Choose Delta if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.