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Carry-on Baggage

Carry-on Allowance
Be sure to check new requirements from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding restrictions to items in carry-on baggage. Visit www.tsa.gov for details.

Northwest allows you to carry one piece of baggage on board the aircraft plus a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. The carry-on baggage must be of a size and shape to allow for storage in overhead compartments or underneath the seat in front of you.

Dimensions:

  • Cannot exceed 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches)

Note: Baggage not meeting these specifications must be checked and is subject to any applicable fees.

Exceptions:

  • Pinnacle flights, CRJ aircraft and Mesaba flights, SF3 aircraft require that the one piece of carry-on baggage is checked and will be returned planeside. A purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack may be carried into the cabin.
  • Northwest Airlink flights operated by Pinnacle and Mesaba on CRJ aircraft allow each passenger to bring onboard two personal items. As always, items must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
  • Per British Airport Authority regulations, only one piece of carry-on baggage is allowed through the screening checkpoint at London's Gatwick Airport. Once past the screening checkpoint, Northwest allows you to carry one piece of baggage on board the aircraft plus a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. For example, if you have a piece of baggage and a purse, the purse must be placed in the briefcase to go through the security checkpoint; but once past the checkpoint, the purse can be removed from the baggage. Find more information at http://www.gatwickairport.com/.
  • India: Local government regulations limit carry-ons to one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item for all passengers (BusinessElite and Coach) traveling out of India. Please note: for passengers traveling to/from/through India, this one piece carry-on baggage rule will be strictly enforced. No passenger will be permitted to carry more than one piece of baggage limited to a maximum size of 45 IN (9IN X 14IN X 22IN) or 115 CM (25 x 35 x55) (total of length plus width plus height) plus a personal item (purse, briefcase or laptop). BusinessElite/Elite Plus customers who are normally allowed two carry-on bags returning from India will be allowed to check in one additional piece at no charge.

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Personal Items
In addition to your carry-on bag, customers may carry on a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. Dimensions of the additional item must not exceed 15"x11"x6". At least one carry-on item should go beneath the seat in front of you.

NEW: TSA to allow for "Checkpoint Friendly" Laptop Bags
To help streamline the security process and better protect laptop computers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet new "checkpoint friendly" standards starting August 16, 2008. Computer bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening will be allowed to remain in bags for screening.

For a bag to be considered checkpoint friendly it should meet the following standards:

  • A designated laptop-only section
  • The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray belt
  • No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
  • No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
  • Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

Note: This applies only for destinations in the U.S. under TSA screening standards and protocols. Foreign locations may vary due to local regulations.

The TSA is not approving or endorsing any bag design or manufacturer and will only allow laptops to stay in bags through screening if they provide a clear and unobstructed X-ray image of the laptop. For images of checkpoint friendly designs and guidance on use, please visit www.tsa.gov.

Additional Items that may be brought on board and do not count towards your allowance:

  • Overcoat or wrap
  • Camera and/or pair of binoculars
  • Umbrella
  • Two-wheeled baggage cart
  • Child Car Seats*
  • Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight
  • Fully collapsible umbrella-style stroller*
  • Cane
  • Medical assistive devices
  • Infant diaper bags
  • Collapsible wheelchair
  • Pair of braces or other prosthetic device (provided you are dependent upon the device)

*For international travel, these items will count towards the free carry on allowance.

To ensure the health and welfare of infants and small children traveling, passengers are allowed to take baby formula and food, breast milk and other baby items in their carry-on baggage. The items are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer at the security checkpoint). All items including formula or breast milk will be inspected.

Northwest also accepts small pets as carry-on baggage for a nominal fee. View details on traveling with your pet.

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Cabin-seat Baggage
Northwest Airlines will allow you to purchase a ticket for an item, approved by Northwest, which is too fragile or bulky to be handled as checked baggage.

The following restrictions apply:

  • You will be charged 100% of the applicable adult fare for the portion of the trip on which the extra seat is used.
  • Cabin-seat baggage must be assigned bulkhead seating behind a hard/rigid divider to comply with FAA regulations. On DC9/A319/A320/757 aircraft types, rigid bulkheads are only in the First Class cabin, therefore cabin-seat baggage on such aircraft types must be in First Class.
  • Must be packaged or covered in a manner to avoid injury to other customers.
  • Must be properly secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight.
  • Must not restrict access to, or use of, any regular or emergency exit or aisle of the cabin.
  • Must not obscure any passenger's view of "seat belt," "no smoking," or "exit" signage.
  • Must not contain dangerous goods.

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