After United and US Airways announced that they would charge for a second piece of checked luggage, several airlines followed suit.  Every airline I reviewed has implemented the charge except Southwest and Hawaiian Air.

The extra charge may not apply if you purchased your ticket before a certain cut-off date.  For example, on Continental you can still check a second bag free if you purchased your ticket prior to April 5, 2008.

If you fly roundtrip and check the second bag on both legs, the fee applies twice.

Below is the updated table for domestic flights in coach/economy class according to each airline’s website.  Note that international and preferred/Medallion class passengers may fall under different rules.

Airline

Free Checked Bags

Cost for Extra Bags

Aloha Airlines

**CEASED OPERATIONS**

**CEASED OPERATIONS**

American

1

  • $25 for second bag
  • $100 for bags 3-5
Continental

1

Delta

1

Jet Blue
Northwest

1

Southwest

2

Hawaiian Air

2

United

1

Airline

Free Checked Bags

Cost for Extra Bags

By the way, the coveted award for “Jeff’s Favorite Background Image for an Airline Website” goes to Hawaiian Airlines.  It’s beautiful marketing.  When I see it I have urges to book a flight:

hawaiian-airlines-background-small.JPG