Get a handle on bag charges

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.

*Varies with aircraft

*--* Airline First Second Carry-on Carry-on Weight limit -- Checked Checked Bag Allowed On Carry-on Dimension -- BAG BAG -- -- Bags? American $15 $25 45 linear 2 total: 1 40-lb limit in. personal -- -- -- -- item and 1 bag Continental Free $25 51 linear Same 40-lb limit in. Delta Free $25 45 linear Same 40-lb limit in. JetBlue Free $20 50-56 Same No linear in.* Northwest $15 $25 45 linear Same No in. Southwest Free Free 50 linear Same No in. United $15 $25 45 linear Same No in. US Airways $15 $25 51 linear Same No in. *--*