UV light does not just create repairable dimers in DNA bases, it can and does rip DNA apart. Enough exposure would cause more than enough irreparable damage to kill the cell and 99% of the cell being destroyed is certainly not salvageable.
The Delta flight is cheaper. But check a bag at a cost of $25 for the first checked bag each way on Delta, and your total fare climbs to $256 -- more than the cost of the Southwest flight, which includes free first and second checked bags. Add a second checked bag for $35 each way on the Delta flight, and you'll pay a whopping $326.
1. Understand the carry-on limits for Delta baggage. The airline allows one Delta carry-on baggage that must be no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. There is NO weight restriction for most routes with your carry-on so you can be strategic about how you pack. Avoid packing any bulky items, and use accessories to your advantage.