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Baggage Preparation Baggage Fees Carry-On Baggage Carry-On Baggage by Airline Checked Baggage International Flights Damaged Baggage Airline Baggage Liabilities "This information was gathered from published airline guidelines and is subject both to airline discretion and to change at anytime." |
Security regulations now require that each checked bag must have external identification with the ticketed passenger's
name for cross-checking against the passenger manifest. It is also a good idea for each bag to have identification
on the inside, as well, in case the external identification is lost or torn off during handling/transit.
Remove any airline destination tags from previous trips. They only risk confusing baggage handlers and possibly
causing your bags to be loaded onto the wrong plane. At check-in, make sure each of your bags is correctly tagged
with new destination tags, and verify that the baggage tag receipts are inside your ticket envelope before leaving the
counter.
Itemize the contents (and their value) of your baggage, especially if you are packing anything of significant value.
This documentation will greatly assist you if the need to file a claim for lost or damaged luggage should arise.
Don't forget to include the bags themselves.
After packing your bags, weigh each of the bags after they have been packed. Checked baggage fees vary by airline,
but there is usually an extra fee for "overweight" bags. Airlines description of overweight bags can vary, so check
with your airline. If you have to, redistribute the contents among your bags either to avoid overweight bags, or to
limit it to one overweight bag to save as much as you can on baggage fees.
When packing your carry-on bags, keep in mind the limits on the amount of liquids you can carry onto the airplane. If
you have any questions about the TSA regulations for carrying on liquids, we review them
here.
Our best advice is for you to check the web site(s) of the airline, or airlines, on which you are traveling, to verify
whether or not they charge any fees for checked or carry-on bags. Yes, some airlines have started experimenting
with a charge for carry-on bags. Multiple checked bags, a possible fee if your bag is "overweight", a fee for your
carry-on bag and airline baggage fees can add up quickly. Don't forget, baggage fees are usually charged each
way. You will incur the fees again on your return home, and they may be higher if you have purchased lots of
souvenirs while traveling.
Keep all of these baggage fees in mind when booking your trip. Some airlines advertise lower air fares to win the
air fare competition, but make up for it with their baggage fees. Baggage fees can vary depending on the type of
air fare you purchase, first class versus economy. Also, there may be a discount on baggage fees if paid when you
book your air fare, or prior to arriving at the airport for check-in.
Weigh your packed bags and re-distribute contents to prevent incurring overweight baggage fees. For longer vacations
for which you may want to bring lots of gear, clothing, etc., seriously consider shipping your bags ahead of time using
your favorite package delivery service. It could save you lots of money and make your trips through the airport and
security much more pleasurable.
In general, carry-on baggage must fit under your airline seat or in the overhead compartments. Keeping your
carry-on bag measurements within the total dimensions of 9"x14"x22" should allow it to fit in either of those places
on most commercial planes. (Many airlines are starting to utilize "sizing windows" on the security screening
machines to control the size of carry-on bags.) It is also a good idea to keep the combined weight of all carry-on
items to under 40 pounds to avoid possibly having to check any of them.
The type and number of bags allowed as carry-on varies by airline. (See chart below.) Plan for carry-on of no
more than one bag along with a personal bag (your purse, briefcase or small daypack) and you will usually be okay. Most
airlines also retain the right to limit carry-on baggage even further if a flight is unusually crowded.
Airlines do determine their own rules for acceptable carry-on baggage size and they can change at any time, so if you
are planning to carry-on something unusual, it is always a good idea to check ahead of time with the airline on which
you are flying.
Finally, recently a few airlines (Spirit Airlines, for example) have announced charges for carry-on bags. We recommend
that you check the web site(s) of the airline, or airlines, on which you are traveling, to verify whether or not they charge
any fees for carry-on bags. If so, there may be a discount for paying baggage fees prior to getting to the airport.
| AIRLINE | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CARRYONS |
BAG SIZE | COMBINED CARRY-ON WEIGHT |
NOTES |
| Alaska Air | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 51 inches (130 cm.) |
unspecified | all items must fit in sizer together |
| America West | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 45 linear inches |
unspecified | must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| American Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 45 linear inches |
maximum of 40 lbs. (18 kg.) |
must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| Continental Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 51 inches (130 cm.) |
maximum of 40 lbs. (18 kg.) |
must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| Delta Air | 1 (+1 personal) |
approximate dimensions of 9"x14"x22" |
total of 40 lbs. maximum |
must fit in Delta's "SizeWise" baggage sizer |
| Frontier Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 9.5"x15.5"x24" |
maximum of 35 lbs. (16 kg.) |
must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| Northwest Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 45 inches (115 cm.) |
maximum of 40 lbs. (18 kg.) |
must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| Southwest Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
approximate dimensions of 10"x16"x24" |
unspecified | must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| United Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 45 inches (115 cm.) |
unspecified | must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
| US Airways | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 50 inches (126 cm.) |
total of 40 lbs. maximum |
personal item maximum size of 36 linear inches |
| British Airways | 1 | Maximum of 115 cm. (46 in.) | total of 13 lbs. maximum |
first class & business class are allowed 2 carry-on bags |
| Lufthansa Air | 1 | Maximum of 115 cm. (46 in.) | total of 17.5 lbs. maximum |
first class & business class are allowed 2 carry-on bags |
| Qantas Airlines | 1 (+1 personal) |
maximum L+W+H of 45 inches (115 cm.) |
maximum of 15 lbs. (7 kg.) |
must fit under seat or in the overhead bin |
Currently, most U.S. domestic airlines allow each ticketed passenger to check two bags. Each piece of checked
baggage must have the name of the ticketed passenger secured to the outside. Each bag should generally not
exceed a linear dimension (length + width + height) of 62 inches. Also, each bag should have a maximum weight
of 70 pounds, or 31.8 kilograms. (Most airlines have lowered this maximum weight to 50 pounds.) Any
allowed additional pieces of checked baggage often have smaller size and/or weight restrictions.
Most airlines are now charging baggage fees for checked bags. The fee amount depending on the type of air fare you
purchased (e.g. economy versus first class) along with the number and size of your bags.
Airlines generally allow oversized or overweight baggage, and extra baggage, for an additional cost. These
allowances and additional costs vary with the airline, the type of plane and the situation. Any bags or items
that weigh over 100 pounds (63.6 kilograms) or that measure more than 62 linear inches (157 cm.) will probably have to
be shipped via air cargo or package delivery service. It is always a good idea to check ahead of time with the
airline on which you are flying, if you are planning on taking oversized or extra baggage.
Keep in mind that if you are flying on smaller planes within a foreign country as part of your trip, baggage size
and weight limits are often much lower.
International flights generally have the same size and weight allowances for baggage, but reduce the number of pieces that can be checked. Baggage allowances may also differ depending on the destination country for the flight.
Airlines have become stricter about enforcing the policies regarding the types of baggage damage for which they
are responsible. Baggage damage the airlines will not usually cover include: normal wear and tear, minor
cuts, scratches, dents, or soiling, loss or damage to parts protruding from the bag (e.g. wheels, feet, pull-handles,
straps, flaps, etc.), damage resulting from over-sized or over-packed bags, and damage resulting from manufacturers
defects.
Most airlines will not accept baggage damage claims unless they are made within a reasonable time frame, usually
within 24-48 hours of your flight. It's best to check over your baggage upon pickup and file any claim with the
airline immediately with regard to any damage that you discover.
Airlines have improved baggage handling over the past several years and the majority of damage now occurs with poorly
manufactured bags that literally break, tear and fall apart through normal usage and handling.
There are some general baggage liability guidelines that most airline carriers abide by:
- On domestic U.S. flights, liability for loss, delay, and damage to baggage is limited to
$1250.00 per passenger.
- On international flights, liability for loss, delay, and damage to baggage is limited to
$9.07 per pound ($20 per kilo) or a maximum of $634.90 perpiece of checked luggage.
- Liability for unchecked baggage is limited to $400.00.
As a reminder, almost every airline specifically states that they cannot be responsible for any valuable items
(e.g. jewelry, cash, computers, electronic equipment, camera equipment, etc.) in checked or carry-on baggage.
Federal rules limit passengers' claims to a maximum of $2500.00 for permanently lost baggage. So, baggage
insurance should be seriously considered if you are traveling with baggage contents of any significant value.
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