Luggage Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, customers traveling in the U.S. may select the number of bags they intend to check and pre-pay any applicable luggage fees with a credit card when checking in at nwa.com.

Simply select the luggage option in the Travel Options section during check-in and follow the prompts on the next page. Any applicable fees will be applied at this time. When you arrive at the airport luggage tags can be printed on the self-service check-in kiosk.

Changes to the number of pre-selected bags will be allowed at an airport self-service check-in kiosk. Luggage charges will occur and a receipt will be available when bag tags are printed at the airport.

The free luggage allowance varies for domestic (within United States including Alaska and Hawaii) and international travel.

• > View details on Northwest policy for carry-on luggage
• > View the details on Northwest policy for checked luggage

All items not needed in-flight should be checked. Passengers should carry on medicine, keys, important papers, and travel documents (passport).

Knives
Northwest does not accept knives or cutting instruments of any size or material in carry-on luggage past security.  However, knives including sabers, swords, hunting knives, souvenir knives, martial arts devices with blades are accepted in checked luggage. In addition, scissors, razor blades, corkscrews manicure sets, sewing scissors and similar items are acceptable in checked luggage. View details on Northwest policy for special items.

Beginning December 22, 2005 scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches will be permitted in passenger carry-on bags.

Firearms
Northwest does not accept firearms or guns of any kind in carry-on luggage. However, handguns, BB guns, rifle, shotgun type firearms are accepted in checked luggage, with certain limitations and requirements. View details on Northwest policy for special items.

For customers who have traveled on a domestic itinerary (defined as the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii) liability for the loss of, damage to, or delay in the delivery of personal property or luggage is limited to a standard dollar amount per ticketed passenger, unless a higher value was placed on the luggage and applicable charges were paid at the time the property was checked into Northwest's care. View details on Northwest Domestic and International Liability Limitations.

Please note, customers should NOT pack medications, car keys, tickets, passports and other legal documentation, or valuable items such as jewelry or cameras in checked luggage. For a complete listing of items excluded from liability, please refer to the full text of the Northwest Airlines Contract of Carriage, which can be obtained online, at a Northwest airport counter or ticket office or by writing to:

Northwest Airlines
Department C6590
5101 Northwest Drive
St. Paul, MN 55111-3034

Passengers may declare a higher value for checked luggage, by purchasing additional liability insurance, beyond the standard liability allowances, at the time of check-in.  View details on Northwest Excess Valuation Insurance.

When ticketed passengers are away from their permanent address and luggage is delayed, Northwest and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines may authorize up to a certain dollar amount of compensation per ticketed passenger for the purchase of essential personal items such as clothing and toiletries with a maximum cap. For reimbursement of expenses, you will need to present receipts to the closest Northwest or KLM airport location. Or, if more convenient, mail an itemized list of expenses, along with copies of the receipts for necessary items, copies of the passenger ticket receipt, luggage claim checks and a copy of the delayed luggage report to:

Northwest Airlines
Central Luggage Service
Department C5260
7500 Airline Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55450-1101

Our ticketing contract excludes liability for consequential damages such as inconvenience, car rental expenses, phone call expenses, hotel or meal costs. Additionally, Northwest cannot offer refunds of airfare because of luggage discrepancies. View details on Northwest Interim Services.

We are sorry if your luggage did not arrive with you at your destination. We can assure you that everything possible will be done to locate your luggage and return it to you promptly. However, you must report any delayed luggage within 24 hours to the Northwest Luggage Service Office located in each airport Northwest serves.

You can track your luggage using the file reference number provided by the airport personnel who assisted you with your claim. To help us devote our efforts to recovering your luggage, please limit the number of telephone inquiries.

Please refer to this file reference number provided to you at the time your claim was filed in any correspondence or reference to your claim. This will help us quickly access your record. You mush also retain your claim check(s) and airline ticket copy until your luggage is returned to you.

View details on Northwest Delayed Luggage policy.

Please accept our sincere apology for this inconvenience.

For customers who need assistance in locating an item left onboard a Northwest/KLM aircraft, or left behind at a Northwest/KLM boarding gate area, please return to the nearest Northwest airport ticket counter during its hours of operation to provide information about the lost article.

We will search for your missing property and contact you ONLY if we have located your property or an item similar to your description. Items that are located will be returned at the owner's expense.

For customers who have traveled on a domestic itinerary (defined as the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii), and incurred damage to checked luggage or property must file a claim within 24 hours of arrival with the airport location where travel was completed in order for Northwest to accept liability. For International travel, all reports of damage to luggage or property must be filed within seven (7) days of arrival. Reports of damaged luggage or property should be filed at the airport location where customer travel was completed.

All damaged property or luggage must be reported in person and presented to the closest Northwest Airlines Luggage Office for further consideration. It is important that customers retain all damaged property until it can be inspected by a Northwest Airlines representative, and a damaged property report is on record.

View details on Northwest Damaged Luggage policy.

For passengers who have traveled on a domestic itinerary (defined as the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii), reports of property which is missing from within checked luggage must be filed with the airport location where travel was completed.  All claims must be made within 24 hours of arrival in order for Northwest Airlines to accept liability.

For passengers who have traveled on an international itinerary, all missing property reports must be made within seven (7) days of arrival.

Once all necessary information is obtained by our Luggage Service personnel at the airport, the report will be electronically transmitted to our Central Luggage Service Department in St. Paul, MN, where all claims are reviewed and handled to conclusion. Customers will be contacted in writing, by our Central Luggage Service staff approximately 20 days from the date the initial report was filed.