If you have an upcoming flight with Delta Air Lines, your checked baggage allowance could be affected by a baggage embargo.
This post will tell you everything that you need to know about baggage embargoes and how it could affect your Delta Air Lines trip. We’ll give you a brief introduction to what a baggage embargo is and why it occurs. Then we will go through each of the destinations that are affected by baggage embargoes and what luggage restrictions apply.
What is a Baggage Embargo?
A baggage embargo is a restriction on checked baggage that is in effect on specific flight routes. The restriction usually takes the form of a limit on extra, oversized, and overweight bags. Usually, you can travel with at least two checked bags.
Another restriction you may see is a limit on boxes. Some routes do not allow boxes at all, while others only allow items that are in its sealed manufacturer’s packaging.
Some baggage embargoes are in effect year-round, while others are seasonal – usually during busy or holiday periods.
Travel routes that are commonly affected by a baggage route are between the US and:
- The Caribbean
- Central America
- South America
Flights on Delta’s regional service, Delta Connection, has a permanent travel embargo on all its flights. No extra, oversized, or overweight checked bags are allowed.
It is not unheard-of for airlines to introduce baggage embargoes at short notice. To ensure that you don’t face any surprises when arriving at the airport, check your email inbox for emails from your airline for any last-minute announcements.
Why Does Delta Have Baggage Embargoes?
Delta imposes baggage embargoes to ensure that all passengers can travel with a certain number of bags – usually 2 checked bags. Certain Delta routes are traditionally busy with most passengers traveling with the maximum number of checked baggage allowed.
Also, airlines may use some of their airplane hold space for the transport of non-passenger cargo, limiting the space available for travelers’ baggage.
Which Destinations Have Baggage Embargoes?
All the Delta destinations listed in this section are affected by a baggage embargo. Unless specified otherwise, baggage embargoes apply to and from each of these destinations. The baggage restrictions range from only one checked bag allowed per passenger, while other routes allow up to 5 pieces of baggage.
Each destination’s description includes the following information:
- The airport where the baggage embargo is in effect.
- The duration of the baggage embargo. Some embargoes are in place year-round, while others are seasonal.
- The specific limit on checked baggage:
- The maximum number of bags that can be checked in
- The maximum size of each bag
- The maximum weight of each piece of baggage
- Whether passengers with frequent-flyer (SkyMiles) status can travel with extra baggage
Standard checked bag fees apply to all these routes.
U.S. Baggage Embargoes
Florida
Airport: Tampa International Airport, Florida (TPA)
- Plastic-wrapped checked bags are not accepted at this airport.
Airport: Key West International Airport, Florida (EYW)
- Dates embargo is in effect: year-round.
- Maximum number of checked bags: 1
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Maximum weight of each checked bag: 100 pounds (45 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply for bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Mexico Baggage Embargoes
The following restrictions apply to Mexico year-round:
- Extra, oversized, and overweight bags are not allowed on regional Delta flights to or from Mexico.
- Boxes are not allowed to or from Mexico.
Caribbean Baggage Embargoes
Flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York and the Dominican Republic
Airport: Cibao International Airport (STI)
- Dates embargo is in effect:
- June 3 to August 31
- November 16 to January 16
- Maximum number of checked bags:
- SkyMiles Elite members: 3 bags
- All other passengers: 2 bags
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Max weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Airport: Las Américas International Airport (SDQ)
- Dates embargo is in effect:
- June 3 to August 31
- November 16 to January 16
- Maximum number of checked bags:
- SkyMiles Elite members: 3 bags
- All other passengers: 2 bags
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Max weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Central American Baggage Embargoes
Boxes are accepted as checked baggage to/from Central America only if they are in the manufacturer’s factory-sealed box.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Airport: Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP)
- Dates embargo is in effect: November 16 to January 16
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Maximum weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
San Salvador, El Salvador
- Airport: El Salvador International Airport (SAP)
- Dates embargo is in effect:
- June 3 to August 31
- November 16 to January 16
- Maximum number of checked bags: 2
- SkyMiles Elite members traveling in First Class, or Delta One cabins can check in up to 3 checked pieces, when departing San Salvador and travel is northbound.
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Maximum weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
South American Baggage Embargoes
Boxes are accepted as checked baggage to or from South America only if they are in the manufacturer’s factory-sealed box. This is a year-round restriction.
The following South American destinations have further baggage restrictions.
Brazil
Delta will not accept boxes as checked baggage when traveling to or from Brazil. This restriction is applied all year.
Chile
You are not allowed to travel with boxes as checked baggage to or from Chile. This restriction on boxes applied for the entire year.
Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
- Airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
- Dates embargo is in effect: June 3 to August 31
- Maximum number of checked bags: 2
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Maximum weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
African Baggage Embargoes
Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
- Airport: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS)
- Dates embargo is in effect: year-round.
- Maximum number of checked bags: 4
- Maximum size of each checked bag: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
- Maximum weight of each checked bag: 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
- Overweight charges may apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Final Thoughts
As you can see, most Delta’s baggage embargoes are focused on Central and South America. The worst aspect of embargoes is that they’re not well communicated to travelers, and they can be introduced just before a flight’s departure. There are numerous online message boards posts where passengers are surprised that their upcoming flight will be subject to a baggage embargo. Delta in particular is overrepresented with these embargo issues. You really need to make sure that you read all your airline emails to avoid any surprises at check-in.
Remember to always check Delta’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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