Ask a QuestionChecked Baggage
- Northwest will accept your baggage 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 baggage. We also recommend that you place the same information on the inside of your baggage.
- 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 baggage will only be checked to your final destination.
- Northwest also accepts pets as checked baggage for a fee. View details on traveling with your pet
Pre-pay baggage fees during nwa.com check-in or at a self-service kiosk by selecting the number of bags you will be checking and providing a credit card. Your credit card will be charged at the airport baggage drop when your baggage tags are printed. If necessary, you can change the number of checked bags at an airport kiosk before your baggage tags are printed.
Effective for tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009, for travel on or after August 4, 2009, customers who check in and pay bag fees at an airport kiosk or with an agent will incur a $5 surcharge for the first and second checked bags. Customers who check in and pre-pay bag fees on nwa.com or delta.com will not incur this surcharge.
Claiming Your Checked Baggage
You will be able to retrieve your checked baggage 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. Baggage is generally available at the carousel approximately 15 minutes after the flight's arrival time. Since many styles of baggage are quite similar, we recommend that you inspect your baggage closely to make sure you claim your own items.
Baggage Allowance
The baggage allowance is the maximum number, size and weight of bags that each customer is allowed. We have based this allowance on many variables that influence the maximum capacity of baggage 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. Baggage will be weighed and measured to ensure that it meets the dimensional requirements under the allowance.
As a result, Northwest has established a standard baggage allowance that applies to all flights.
Checked Baggage Weight and Measurement
Baggage is measured by adding length, width and height to determine the total number of linear inches/centimeters.
- Northwest will accept baggage up to a maximum of 50 pounds (23 kg) and a total linear dimension of 62 inches (158 cm) per piece.
- Additional charges apply for baggage 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-Pacific travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked baggage, including special baggage items, is 100 pounds. For trans-Atlantic travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked baggage is 70 pounds.
Note: If you are flying on a codeshare partner, please check with the operating carrier for maximum acceptance rules as they may vary.
* Customers checking bags to a destination in Europe and beyond on KLM must request space for baggage in excess of the free allowance. Please call Reservations at 1-800-225-2525. Provide the agent with your confirmation number and the total number of pieces to be checked through to your final destination. You must provide the dimensions (length x width x height), weight and contents.
* Bags checked to or through Europe or with a connection to Continental Airlines cannot exceed 70 pounds (32 kg).
Checked Baggage Allowance
+Effective for tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009, for travel on or after August 4, 2009, customers who check in and pay bag fees at an airport kiosk or with an agent will incur a $5 surcharge for the first and second checked bags. Customers who check in and prepay bag fees on nwa.com or delta.com will not incur this $5 surcharge.
- > Get baggage allowance information for tickets purchased prior to September 19, 2009
For tickets purchased on or after September 19, 2009 for travel on or after October 13, 2009
Travel within the US or to/from Canada, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands Coach Class Travel
WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members All other customers Full Coach Y Fare up to 2 bags: free up to 2 bags: free Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 2 bags: free
3rd bag: $25
4th bag: $125
5-10th bag: $2001st bag: $15+
2nd bag: $25+
3rd bag: $125
4-10th bag: $200Size limit* 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm50 lbs/23 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
First Class Travel
Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $125
5-10th: $200up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $125
5-10th bag: $200Size limit 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm*For Coach Class travel, Checked bags within the allowance that weigh more than 50 lbs but less than 70 lbs will be assessed a $90 Heavy Bag Fee. WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members are exempt from this fee. Travel between the U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe Coach Class Travel
WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members All other customers Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 2 bags: free
3rd bag: $200
4th-5th bag: $350
6th-10th bag: $6001st bag: free
2nd bag: $50/?50
3rd bag: $200
4th-5th bag: $350
6th-10th bag: $600Size limit* 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm50 lbs/23 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
BusinessElite and Full Coach (Y) Fare Travel
Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $200
5th-6th bag: $350
7th-10th bag: $600up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $200
5th-6th bag: $350
7th-10th bag: $600Size limit 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm*For Coach Class travel, Checked bags within the allowance that weigh more than 50 lbs but less than 70 lbs will be assessed a $150 Heavy Bag Fee. WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members are exempt from this fee.
Travel between the U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico, Caribbean, Central/South America (excluding Brazil) Coach Class Travel
WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members All other customers Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 2 bags: free
3rd bag: $200
4th-5th bag: $350
6th-10th bag: $6001st bag: free
2nd bag: $25+
3rd bag: $200
4th-5th bag: $350
6th-10th bag: $600Size limit* 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm50 lbs/23 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
BusinessElite and Full Coach (Y) Fare Travel
Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $200
5th-6th bag: $350
7th-10th bag: $600up to 3 bags: free
4th bag: $200
5th-6th bag: $350
7th-10th bag: $600Size limit 70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm70 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm*For Coach Class travel, Checked bags within the allowance that weigh more than 50 lbs but less than 70 lbs will be assessed a $150 Heavy Bag Fee. WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members are exempt from this fee.
+Customers who check in and pay bag fees at an airport kiosk or with an agent will incur a $5 surcharge for the second checked bag, for a total second checked bag fee of $30All other international travel Coach Class Travel
WorldPerks Elite and SkyMiles Medallion members All other customers Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 2 bags: free
3rd and up: $150up to 2 bags: free
3rd and up: $150Size limit* 70 lbs/32kg;
62 linear in/158 cm50 lbs/23kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
BusinessElite and Full Coach (Y) Fare Travel
Number of checked bags and fee per bag (USD) up to 2 bags1: free
3rd bag2: free
4th and up: $150up to 2 bags1: free
3rd bag2: free
4th and up: $150Size limit 170 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
2 lbs/18 kg;
45 linear in/115 cm170 lbs/32 kg;
62 linear in/158 cm
240 lbs/18 kg;
45 linear in/115 cm*For Coach Class travel, Checked bags within the allowance that weigh more than 50 lbs but less than 70 lbs will be assessed a $50 Heavy Bag Fee. SkyMiles Medallion members are exempt from this fee.
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 baggage, 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 baggage weight limitation is:
- Coach Class: 44 pounds (20 kg)
- BusinessElite: 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 baggage requirements.
The weight concept does not apply to those traveling between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe when making a stop between your origin and final destination. Please refer to the baggage chart above for travel between the U.S./Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe.Additional Checked Allowance Items
The following items will be accepted in addition to the checked baggage allowance at no charge:- 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 baggage that exceeds the allowance, please refer to the chart below.
Excess, Overweight & Oversized Baggage 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 baggage. 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 Baggage is subject to different charges when overweight (see Military Baggage for details). Certain items of sports equipment may be subject to different charges when oversized (see Sports Equipment for details).
Overweight Baggage Fees
International: The following charges apply to baggage exceeding the international free baggage allowance weight: -
For tickets purchased on or after June 27 for travel on or after July 1, 2009
Coach Class Travel between the U.S. and Europe Weight of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 51 - 70 lbs. $150.00 Over 70* lbs. Not Accepted* All other International Travel Weight of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 51 - 70 lbs. $50.00 Over 70* lbs. Not Accepted* For tickets purchased prior to June 27, 2009
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Weight of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 51 - 70 lbs. $50.00 Over 70* lbs. Not Accepted* *Up to 100 pounds is accepted for Trans-Pacific travel for a fee of $450 USD/CAD/EUR each way.
Domestic: The following charges apply to baggage exceeding the domestic allowance weight:
DOMESTIC TRAVEL Weight of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 51 - 70 lbs. $90.00 71-100 lbs. $175.00 Overweight baggage charges apply in addition to any applicable excess or oversized charges.
Oversized Baggage Fees
International: The following charges apply to baggage exceeding the International allowance size limitation:Travel between the U.S. and Europe Size of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 63 - 80 inches $175.00 Over 80 inches Not accepted Domestic: The following charges apply to baggage exceeding the Domestic allowance size limitation:
DOMESTIC TRAVEL Size of Baggage Fee (USD) per Piece each-way 63 - 80 inches $175.00 Over 80 inches Not accepted Oversized baggage charges apply in addition to any applicable excess or overweight charges.
