Airlines change policies on excess baggage and costs.

Updated April 30, 2008

Attention Travel-On Clients – Following are summaries of changes to airline policy regarding excess baggage and costs.  You should click on the carrier link for the latest information and more details about their individual policy. 

Top 10 Airlines: Baggage Fees

By Mark Kahler, About.com
Novice budget travelers should learn to pack lightly before mastering any other money-saving technique. Now more than ever, airlines are imposing hefty penalties for heavy baggage. Here are links to Web pages with baggage policies for the 10 busiest passenger airlines, as ranked in World Air Transport Statistics. If your airline of choice is unlisted here, go to the home page of its Web site, find a link (usually in small print) for "Site Map" and then find baggage information.

1. American Airlines--98.0 million annual passengers
American passengers can check two pieces of luggage and take an additional carry-on at no charge. American charges $80 USD per piece for the first three additional pieces, $105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces, and $180 per piece for the seventh and any additional pieces. In addition, overweight and oversized baggage incurs additional fees. If your item is overweight and oversized, they add the fees together. More: American Airlines--98.0 million annual passengers

2. Delta Airlines--86.0 million annual passengers
Delta allows passengers to check two bags and carry on a bag plus a personal item. The Web site says "if you have an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, then you'll be charged three times—once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit, and once for going over the weight limit." These fees each range from $25-$100. More: Delta Airlines--86.0 million annual passengers

3. United Airlines--66.7 million annual passengers
As with most North American carriers, United allows passengers 50 lbs. per bag, but begins charging "overweight" fees above that figure. United won't accept any bag (even at a fee) that weighs more than 100 lbs. They also won't accept baggage that measures more than 115 inches. If you're planning to bring back antlers, United imposes a flat $200 fee for each set! More: United Airlines--66.7 million annual passengers

4. Northwest Airlines--57.4 million annual passengers
Northwest assesses a $50 "heavy bag fee" for each item that weighs between 51 and 70 lbs. Beyond 70 lbs., the item is classified as "cargo" and must be shipped as such. There are separate restrictions for travel within and outside the U.S., so check the regulations carefully. Child car seats, small boxes of fruit (under 10 lbs.) and assistive devices do not count towards the two-bag checked allowance. More: Northwest Airlines--57.4 million annual passengers

5. Japan Airlines--50.9 million annual passengers
JAL permits one carry-on bag weighing less than 10 kg. (22 lbs.), in addition to two checked bags. The size limits on these bags vary by type of route. Excess fees are calculated using this formula: Normal economy class fare between boarding points (adult one-way) x 1.5% x excess baggage weight in kg., rounded up to the nearest hundred yen. Keep in mind that if you got a sale fare, they will use the normal fare to make the calculation. More: Japan Airlines--50.9 million annual passengers

6. Lufthansa--49.0 million annual passengers
Lufthansa allows two checked bags per passenger weighing 23-32 kg. each, depending upon your route. The airline uses a zone system to determine fees for excess baggage weight. It adds up quickly: 5€ for every excess kilogram on domestic flights within Germany, but long-haul flights can involve 40€/kg. More: Lufthansa--49.0 million annual passengers

7. All Nippon Airways--48.3 million annual passengers
ANA requires advance arrangements with their customer service center for bulky baggage with total linear dimensions exceeding 203cm (80 inches) or weighing more than 32kg (70 lbs). Excess baggage fees range from $34-130 USD, and the charge per piece is different between departure from Japan and departure from the U.S. or Guam. More: All Nippon Airways--48.3 million annual passengers

8. Air France--47.8 million annual passengers
Excess weight fees vary between 3€/kg. and 30€/kg., depending upon a zone system that measures distances of flights. Baggage dimensions must not exceed 158 cm. (height+length+width). Air France club members are granted additional weight limits. More: Air France--47.8 million annual passengers

9. China Southern Airlines--43.2 million annual passengers
The China Southern free baggage allowance is 40kg. for first class, 30kg. for business class, and 20kg. for economy class. If you receive a free upgrade, allowance is based on your original reservation. Specific fees are not listed on the Web site. More: China Southern Airlines--43.2 million annual passengers

10. Continental Airlines--42.8 million annual passengers
Continental's fees for excess baggage are $80/piece for the first three additional pieces, $105/piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces and $180/piece for the seventh and any additional pieces. Weight penalties are $25/piece for items weighing between 50-70 lbs. Anything in excess of 70 lbs. is not accepted. More: Continental Airlines--42.8 million annual passengers

Top 10 Budget Carriers: Baggage Fees

By Mark Kahler, About.com
Novice budget travelers should learn to pack lightly before mastering any other money-saving technique. Now more than ever, airlines are imposing hefty penalties for heavy baggage. Here are links to Web pages with baggage policies for 10 leading low-cost carriers (in order of airline size). If your budget airline of choice is not listed here, go to the home page of its Web site, find a link (usually in small print) for "Site Map" and then find baggage information.

1. Southwest Airlines
The maximum weight for baggage is 50 lbs. Overweight items from 51-70 lbs. are accepted at $25 USD/item. Bags weighing from 71-100 lbs. and oversized items (62-80 in.) incur a charge of $50/item. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo. Three items may be checked; each additional item costs $50. At 10 items, the cost per piece becomes $100. More: Southwest Airlines

2. Ryanair
Ryanair allows you one carry-on bag (weighing up to 10 kg or 22 lbs.) on each flight. Checked baggage charges vary depending upon when passengers choose to pay the fees. For example, the baggage fee per passenger, per one-way flight is a flat £5 or €6 when booked on ryanair.com, but £10 or €12 per item when arranged through a call center or at the airport. More: Ryanair

3. Gol
Each adult passenger is entitled to check as many as two pieces of luggage weighing a total of 23 kg. (51 lbs.) For each kilogram above the limit, a fee is of 0.5% of the normal economy class fare is charged. Baggage with excess weight is treated as cargo and might be shipped on a separate flight. More: Gol

4. easyjet
Each passenger's total luggage weight allowance is 50 kg. (110 lbs.), with no single bag heavier than 32 kg. (71 lbs.) But those with baggage weighing in excess of 20 kg. (44 lbs.) can expect to pay an additional fee, and there is also a fee structure for larger sporting equipment such as skis or golf clubs. The fee for excessive weight is £5 or €7.50 for each kilogram. More: easyjet

5. jetBlue
Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag that must be stored in an overhead compartment. Two checked bags are permitted without charge, and each additional bag requires a $50 fee. In addition, each bag weighing between 51-70 lbs. requires a $20 fee. From 71-99 lbs., the fee increases to $50. Starting at 100 lbs., bags are ineligible for acceptance on the flight. More: jetBlue

6. Virgin Blue
The standard one carry-on, one personal item and one checked bag applies with Virgin Blue. Each piece must weigh no more than 32 kg. (71 lbs.), with pieces in excess of that amount "accepted at the carrier's discretion." Excess weight charges vary from $7-$15 AUD per kilo, depending upon destination. The rate within Australia is $20 AUD for excess weight between one and 10 kg. More: Virgin Blue

7. Air Tran
Air Tran passengers may check two pieces of baggage, with a maximum weight allowance of 50 lbs. and 62 in. Beyond this size, a fee of $25 USD is required from 51 to 70 lbs. and $65 from 71 to 100 lbs. Oversize baggage will be accepted up to a maximum size of 80 inches for a fee of $65 per bag. Baggage weighing more than 100 lbs. is not accepted. More: Air Tran

8. Westjet
Two carry-on bags (weighing up to 10 kg. or 22 lbs.) are permitted free of charge. In addition, two checked bags (weighing up to 27 kg or 60 lbs.) are allowed without charge. Extra pieces beyond these amounts incur a fee of $75/item. Overweight and oversized pieces are carried for a fee of $40/item. Excess baggage must be processed no later than one hour prior to departure. More: Westjet

9. Air Berlin
With Air Berlin, you have a free baggage allowance of 20 kg. (44 lbs.). Unlike many airlines, the allowance is also applied to children and infants. The fare structure for overweight luggage is a simple €4 per kg., per flight. There are fees for bicycles and surfboards, but oversized items such as golf clubs, skis and diving equipment incur no additional fee. More: Air Berlin

10. Spirit Airlines
Spirit allows one carry-on (40 lb. limit) and one personal item in the cabin. On June 20, 2007, Spirit intends to do away with free checked baggage. At that time, a charge of $10 at the airport ($5 if paid in advance online) is assessed for the first checked bag, the same for a second checked bag, and $100 for the third. More: Spirit Airlines