It’s official: 2025 is turning out to be the year airlines decide to switch things up. On April 8, Delta Air Lines started enforcing a major change that will affect any passengers with checked bags, though it’s not nearly as dramatic as Southwest Airline’s latest luggage policy change. The airline will now impose a new cutoff time for checking bags on domestic flights. Any passengers flying within the United States who are checking bags must do so at least 45 minutes before their plane departs. According to an email Delta sent to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, this change was made to improve customer experience and make sure operations work more efficiently and seamlessly going forward.
This change applies to all 50 U.S. states and the U.S. territories Delta flies to, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Travelers should note that there are a few exceptions to this rule — mostly because some airports require passengers to check their bags even earlier. For example, passengers flying out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, are required to check bags 60 minutes before departure. Passengers flying out of Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, must check their bags 90 minutes before departure. If you’re unsure what the cutoff time is for the airport you’re flying out of, double check your flight information or visit the Delta Air Line’s website.
Check your bag earlier when flying Delta
