Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Delta or El Al?

Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). El Al: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). El Al allows the larger bag.

Do Delta and El Al include a carry-on on basic economy?

Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra. El Al: Lite fares to and from the U.S. include the 8 kg carry-on but no checked bag. On European and UAE routes, Lite passengers have to check their carry-on.

Are Delta and El Al partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Delta: SkyTeam; El Al: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

DL vs LY · 2026 comparison

Delta vs El Al

Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; El Al wins on a bigger carry-on. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Delta

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

El Al

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; El Al wins on a bigger carry-on. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · El Al: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Delta: Included on every fare · El Al: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Delta	El Al
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	38 × 30 × 18 cm
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	None
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	Matmid
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	TLV

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

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

Delta includes it on every fare, while El Al's Lite can be personal-item only.

El Al caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); Delta publishes no limit.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Delta, and 38 × 30 × 18 cm (15 × 11.8 × 7.1 in) on El Al.

Basic economy

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.

El Al (Lite): Lite fares to and from the U.S. include the 8 kg carry-on but no checked bag. On European and UAE routes, Lite passengers have to check their carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Delta is in SkyTeam and El Al is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and Matmid (El Al).

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

Which should you book?

Choose Delta if you want…

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

Choose El Al if you want…

a bigger carry-on
nonstops from TLV

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.

Delta vs El Al FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; El Al wins on a bigger carry-on. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

Deals on Delta, El Al and more

Whichever airline you prefer, we'll email you when fares from your home airports drop well below normal.

Get flight deals free See Premium+ plans

Free plan available · 14-day free Premium+ trial · Cancel anytime