Delta Air Lines vs Southwest Airlines
Side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United States
| Delta Air Lines | Southwest Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1925 | 1971 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | SkyTeam | - |
| Main hubs | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 1 |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 35 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) | - |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 USD | from 45 USD |
| Extra bag fee | from 55 USD | from 55 USD |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 45 min | 30 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | 800-221-1212 | +1 214 792 40 00 |
Key differences
- Delta Air Lines includes more checked baggage in the basic Economy fare: 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) vs 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) at Southwest Airlines.
- Southwest Airlines lets you check in online closer to departure (30 min vs 45 min).
- Southwest Airlines is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while Delta Air Lines bundles more into the ticket.
- Delta Air Lines is a SkyTeam member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
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Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.