UPDATE — MAY 16, 2005:  Even more airlines have implemented a fee for checking a second bag.

UPDATE — APRIL 5, 2008:   More airlines have announced a $25 fee for checking a second bag.  Delta, Continental, and Northwest will begin collecting the fee during the first week of May. 

Boeing 787It’s been several months since I last flew on a major airline.  I don’t mind flying but I’m glad I don’t fly a lot.  It has become more of a hassle the last few years. 

Since I haven’t flown in a while I haven’t paid attention to recent airline rules changes.  If you’re a globe-trotter you may already be aware that some airlines have changed their baggage limits.

Checking Two Bags Will Cost You On Some Airlines

Starting May 5th United Airlines and US Airways will charge $50 per round-trip for checking a second piece of luggage.  If you are a member of the business traveler programs (for example, United has the Premier, Gold, and Silver programs) then the fee is waived for the second piece.

I’ve never flown Virgin America, but I believe they already charge a fee for the second bag.

Three Separate Fees

The fee for an extra piece of luggage is separate from the overweight and oversize fee.  The overweight fee typically kicks in when a bag weighs more than 50 pounds.  The oversize fee applies when the sum of a bag’s height, width, and length is greater than 62 inches. 

Suppose you check a 2nd piece of luggage on United Airlines that weighs 70 pounds and whose sum of dimensions is 80 inches.  You will pay all three fees.  There had better be something important in that bag because starting May 5th it will cost you $225 each way, or $450 total - probably more than your round-trip ticket! 

If you have a connecting flight on another airline, you may be required to pay the fees for both airlines.

Airline Policies

Here is a summary of the policies of some major airlines on coach travel within the U.S.  Generally the fees apply for each leg of a round-trip.  Different limits may apply for first-class travel, travel to/from foreign countries, or if you’re a member of the airline’s medallion club.

Airline

Free Checked Bags

Cost for Extra Bags

Miscellaneous
Aloha Airlines

2

 Not specified.
American

2

 $80 for bags 3-5
Continental

2

 $100
Delta

2

 $80 for bags 3-5
Jet Blue

2

 $50 per bag
Northwest

2

 $80 for bags 3‑5.  $105 for bags 4-6.
  • You may check up to 5 pounds of dry ice.
  • Antlers may be checked for $80.  You may nestle smaller antlers within larger antlers free of charge as long as both are free of residue.
  • No javelin policy.  Pole vaults are $80.
Southwest

2

 $25 for third bag. $50 for bags 4-9.
Hawaiian Air

2

 $80 for bags 3-5 ($25 within Hawaii)
  • Canoe paddles may be checked at no charge.
  • You may check one bow and one quiver as a single checked item.
United

1

 $25 for second bag and $100 for bags 3-4 (starting May 5)

Airline

Free Checked Bags

Cost for Extra Bags

Miscellaneous

Weight and Dimension Limits

And here’s the policy for weight limits and dimension limits.  Recall that the dimension limit is based on the sum of height plus width plus length.

Airline

Weight Limit (pounds)

Fee for Going Over Weight Limit

Dimension Limit (inches)

Fee for Going Over Dimension Limit

Bags Lost per 1,000 Passengers (data for June 2006)
Aloha Airlines

50

 There is a fee but not sure how much.

62

 There is a fee but not sure how much. 5.08 (7th of 20 reporting airlines)
American

50

 $50 up to 70 pounds, $100 up to 100 pounds

62

 $100 5.31 (9th of 20)
Continental

50

 $50 up to 70 pounds

62

 $100 5.43 (10th of 20)
Delta

50

 $80 up to 70 pounds, $150 up to 100 pounds

62

 $100 up to 80 inches 6.64 (13th of 20)
Jet Blue

50

 $20 up to 70 pounds, $50 up to 99 pounds

62

 $50 up to 80 inches 3.08 (2nd of 20)
Northwest

50

 $25 up to 70 pounds

62

 $80 up to 160 inches 4.07 (3rd best)
Southwest

50

 $50

62

 $50 4.12 (4th best)
Hawaiian Air

50

 $25 up to 70 pounds

62

 $160 for bags 3-5 up to 80 inches 2.6 (best)
United

50

 $100

62

 $100 5.23 (8th)

Airline

Weight Limit (pounds)

Fee for Going Over Weight Limit

Dimension Limit (inches)

Fee for Going Over Dimension Limit

Bags Lost per 1,000 Passengers (data for June 2006)

Conclusion

So far only a few airlines are charging a fee for checking a second bag.  The airlines have struggled financially for so many years that it wouldn’t surprise me to see more airlines follow suit.  I hope not.

In the meantime, make sure you know your airline’s baggage policy ahead of time so you won’t be surprised by a fee for checking too many bags.  Or for checking your javelin.

Check out this Wall Street Journal article for more information.