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Checked Luggage

Acceptance Policy
- Northwest will accept your luggage only upon presentation of a valid ticket for travel on a Northwest flight.
- Your name, address, and telephone number must appear on the outside of the luggage. We also recommend that you place the same information on the inside of your luggage.
- You should carry certain items on board with you. Northwest has a generous carry-on policy designed to allow passengers to carry on those items for which Northwest accepts no liability. These items include, but are not limited to, medicine, keys, important papers, travel documents (passport), jewelry, cash, computers, computer equipment, cameras, and other items of high personal value.
- Your luggage will only be checked to your final destination.
- Northwest also accepts pets as checked luggage for a nominal fee. View details on traveling with your pet
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Claiming Your Checked Luggage
You will be able to retrieve your checked luggage from the Baggage Claim area of the airport. In larger airports, Northwest posts the flight number, the flight's origination city and the baggage carousel number on a terminal screen located in the Baggage Claim area. Luggage is generally available at the carousel approximately 15 minutes after the flight's arrival time. Since many styles of luggage are quite similar, we recommend that you inspect your luggage closely to make sure you claim your own items.
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Free Luggage Allowance
The free luggage allowance is the maximum number, size and weight of bags that each customer is allowed with no additional charge. We have based this allowance on many variables that influence the maximum capacity of luggage on an aircraft. These variables include size of aircraft cargo compartments, dimensions of the doors, fuel requirements, typical number of passengers on board, and government regulations. Luggage will be weighed and measured to ensure that it meets the dimensional requirements under the free luggage allowance.
As a result, Northwest has established a standard free luggage allowance that applies to all flights.
Checked Luggage Weight and Measurement
Luggage is measured by adding length, width and height to determine the total number of linear inches/centimeters.
- Northwest will accept luggage up to a maximum of 50 pounds (23 kg) and a total linear dimension of 62 inches (158 cm) per piece at no charge.
- Additional charges may apply for luggage weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) or with a total linear dimension of more than 62 inches (158 cm) per piece.
- For domestic and trans-Atlantic travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked luggage, including special luggage items, is 70 pounds. For trans-Pacific travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked luggage is 100 pounds.
Note: If you are flying on a codeshare partner, please check with the operating carrier for maximum acceptance rules as they may vary.
* Bags checked to or through Europe or with a connection to Continental Airlines cannot exceed 70 pounds (32 kg).
Free Checked Luggage Allowance
- Domestic Travel (within the U.S./Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean)
- Coach Class: Effective May 5, 2008, each ticketed passenger is allowed one (1) piece of checked luggage.
- Each piece: 50 pounds (23 kg) with linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches (158 cm).
- Northwest Airlines' Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks® Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers and passengers booked in full fare classes (Y or B) may still check two bags free of charge. Customers booked in First Class can continue to check up to three bags free of charge
- Get answers to frequently asked questions about Northwest Airlines' Free Luggage Allowance.
- First Class: Each ticketed passenger is allowed three (3) checked pieces.
- First two (2) pieces: 70 pounds (32 kg) with linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches (158 cm) per piece.
- Third piece: 40 pounds (18 kg) with linear dimensions not to exceed 45 inches (115 cm).
Note: The same free checked luggage allowance applies to children and infants paying at least 50% of the adult fare. Infants traveling free of charge do not qualify for free checked luggage allowance but are permitted to carry on a diaper bag, free of charge.
- International Travel - with origin and destination outside United States / Canada
For travel with an origin and destination outside the U.S./Canada (i.e. within Asia or within Europe), the weight concept applies. The weight concept allows a maximum weight for luggage, per person, that can be checked free of charge. The free weight applies to the total weight of all bags checked by an individual.
For travel wholly within or between Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the maximum checked luggage weight limitation is:
- Coach Class: 44 pounds (20 kg)
- World Business Class: 66 pounds (30 kg
- Infants not occupying a passenger seat: 22 pounds (10 kg)
Items that weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kg) must be shipped as cargo using a known shipper/freight forwarder, or repacked to comply with luggage requirements.
Additional Free Checked Allowance Items
The following items will be accepted in addition to the free checked luggage allowance:
- Child car seat
- One container of fruit (maximum weight 10 lbs.) for travel from Hawaii or Florida
- Assistive devices
For information on charges for checking luggage that exceeds the free allowance, please refer to the chart below.
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Excess, Overweight & Oversized Luggage and Applicable Fees
Northwest realizes that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or to travel with additional pieces of luggage. Additional charges apply in these situations.
- All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport ticket counter.
- Code-share passengers will be charged as though they were traveling on one airline (fees will be that of the boarding carrier).
- Military Luggage is subject to different charges when overweight (see Military Luggage for details).
- Certain items of sports equipment may be subject to different charges when oversized (see Sports Equipment for details).
Excess Luggage Fees
International: The following charges apply to luggage in excess of the free luggage allowance:
|
TRANS-ATLANTIC TRAVEL |
|
Per Excess Bag |
U.S.
CHECK-IN |
CANADA
CHECK-IN |
EUROPE/AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST/INDIA CHECK-IN |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
Less than 62 Linear Inches |
USD 150.00 |
CAD 150.00 |
EUR 150.00 |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
62-80 Linear Inches |
USD 300.00 |
CAD 300.00 |
EUR 300.00 |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
Over 80 Linear Inches |
USD 450.00 |
CAD 450.00 |
EUR 450.00 |
| Seasonal restrictions exist for acceptance of excess luggage to destinations in West Africa and the Middle East. Please contact NW Reservations if traveling to these locations. |
|
TRANS-PACIFIC TRAVEL |
|
Per Excess Bag |
Between Hawaii and Japan
CHECK-IN |
Between
U.S. and
Philippines
CHECK-IN |
US/Japan/Asia
CHECK-IN |
Canada
CHECK-IN |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
Less than 62 Linear Inches |
USD 84.00
JPY 16200 |
USD 160.00* |
USD 130.00 |
CAD 130.00 |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
62-80 Linear Inches |
USD 168.00
JPY 32,400 |
USD 320.00* |
USD 260.00 |
CAD 260.00 |
|
Less than 70 Pounds
and
Over 80 Linear Inches |
USD 252.00
JPY 48,600 |
USD 480.00* |
USD 390.00 |
CAD 390.00 |
|
Any bag
70 to 100 pounds |
USD 252.00
JPY 48,600
|
USD 480.00* |
USD 390.00 |
CAD 390.00 |
|
* Excess charges to/from the Philippines are higher in the months of December, January, March, April, May and June. Please check with NW Reservations for actual excess charges if traveling to/from the Philippines in these months. |
NOTE: International Charges are not cumulative. If more than one charge applies, only the highest charge will be collected. For example, if you are checking an excess bag that is over 62 linear inches, only the charge for "Over 62 Linear Inches" will apply.
Domestic: The following charges apply to luggage in excess of the domestic free luggage allowance. Domestic travel includes the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
|
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
for travel on/after May 5, 2008 |
|
Number of Excess Pieces |
Fee (USD) per Piece each-way |
|
1st |
$25.00* |
|
2nd and subsequent |
$100.00^ |
|
|
|
*Effective for tickets purchased on/after March 29, 2008 for travel on/after May 5, 2008.
^Effective for all travel on/after May 5, 2008, regardless of date of ticket purchase.
Example: If you check six (6) items within the size and weight allowances, the total cost for the excess pieces will be $425.00 USD.
|
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
for travel on/after May 5, 2008 |
|
Number of Pieces |
Fee (USD) per Piece each-way |
|
Item 1 |
Free |
|
Item 2 |
$25.00 |
|
Item 3 |
$100.00 |
|
Item 4 |
$100.00 |
|
Item 5 |
$100.00 |
|
Item 6 |
$100.00 |
|
Total Cost |
$425.00 |
Excess luggage fees apply, in addition to any applicable overweight or oversized fees.
Exception: For travel between the United States mainland and Hawaii, and to and from Florida, one container of fruit will be allowed to the normal free luggage allowance for a fee of $10.00. The maximum weight permitted is 10 pounds.
Overweight Luggage Fees
International: The following charges apply to luggage exceeding the international free luggage allowance weight:
The following applies to luggage exceeding the international free luggage allowance weight.
| INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL |
|
Weight of Luggage |
Fee (USD) per Piece each-way |
|
50 lbs. or less |
Free |
|
51 - 70 lbs. |
$50.00 |
|
Over 70* lbs. |
Not accepted* |
*Up to 100 pounds is accepted for Trans-Pacific travel (see rate table).
Domestic: The following charges apply to luggage exceeding the domestic free luggage allowance weight:
The following applies to luggage exceeding the domestic free luggage allowance weight.
| DOMESTIC TRAVEL |
|
Weight of Luggage |
Fee (USD) per Piece each-way |
|
50 lbs. or less |
Free |
|
51 - 70 lbs. |
$50.00 |
|
Over 70 lbs. |
Not accepted |
Overweight luggage charges apply in addition to any applicable excess or oversized charges.
Oversized Luggage Fees
International: See rate table.
Domestic: The following charges apply to luggage exceeding the domestic free luggage allowance size limitation:
The following charges apply to luggage exceeding the domestic free luggage allowance size limitation:
| DOMESTIC TRAVEL |
|
Size of Luggage |
Fee (USD) per Piece each-way |
|
62 inches or less |
Free |
|
63 - 160 inches |
$100.00 |
|
Over 160 inches |
Not accepted |
Oversized luggage charges apply in addition to any applicable excess or overweight charges.
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