Flying just doesn’t get any easier. With Northwest slapping on a charge for checked baggage, you may feel as though you need a score card just to keep up with who’s doing what. So we’ve created one. But note: Baggage policies have many exceptions. Domestic and international flights may have different rules, and some fees may not apply to first-class, business-class and high-mileage frequent fliers. All charges below are one-way, and the effective dates vary. Exceeding weight limits (generally 50 pounds for a checked bag) results in additional charges. Carry-on bags must fit under a passenger’s seat or in the overhead bin. Certain personal items, such as child-safety seats, assistive devices and outer garments, are often excluded from the one-piece limit. Finally, check in at least 30 minutes before domestic flights and 60 minutes before international flights so your luggage makes it on the plane.
First checked bag: $15 Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 45 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: Yes, 40-pound limit (Robert Neubecker / For The Times)
Continental
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 51 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: Yes, 40-pound limit (Diane Bigda / For The Times)
Delta
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 45 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: Yes, 40-pound limit (Diane Bigda / For The Times)
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JetBlue
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $20 Carry-on bag dimension: 50-56 linear inches (varies with aircraft) Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: No (Diane Bigda / For The Times)
Northwest
First checked bag: $15 Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 45 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: No (Nancy Ohanian / For The Times)
Southwest
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: Free Carry-on bag dimension: 50 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: No (Scott Garrett / For The Times)
United
First checked bag: $15 Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 45 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: No (Scott Garrett / For The Times)
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US Airways
First checked bag: $15 Second checked bag: $25 Carry-on bag dimension: 51 linear inches Carry-on allowed: 2 total (1 personal item and 1 bag) Weight limit on carry-on bags?: No