Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Delta or Korean Air?

Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Delta allows the larger bag.

Are Delta and Korean Air partners?

Yes. Both belong to SkyTeam, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

DL vs KE · 2026 comparison

Delta vs Korean Air

Q: Do Delta and Korean Air 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. Korean Air: Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Delta wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Korean Air doesn't clearly win any category. 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 bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Korean Air

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Delta wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Korean Air doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Delta: Included on every fare · Korean Air: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Delta: $45 · Korean Air: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Delta	Korean Air
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	SKYPASS
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	ICN

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 Korean Air up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Delta's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Korean Air caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); Delta publishes no limit.

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

A first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. and short-haul international flights, and Korean Air includes two bags with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Korea.

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.

Korean Air (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are SkyTeam members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and SKYPASS (Korean Air).

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

Which should you book?

Choose Delta if you want…

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

Choose Korean Air if you want…

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ICN

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.