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Checked Baggage

Acceptance Policy

  • 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

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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.

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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-Atlantic travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked baggage, including special baggage items, is 70 pounds. For trans-Pacific travel, the maximum weight accepted for any piece of checked baggage is 100 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

Domestic Travel (within the U.S.)**    
For tickets purchased on or after November 12, 2008 for travel on or after December 5, 2008   

Coach Class    First / World Business Class    Full Coach (Y) Fare   
Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size    Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size    Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size   
All Customers (excluding current WorldPerks Elite, SkyMiles Medallion members)    First**    USD $15    50 lbs/23 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm    up to 3    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm   
Second**    USD $25    Fourth - Tenth    USD $200    Third    USD $125   
Third    USD $125          Fourth - Tenth    USD $200   
Fourth - Tenth    USD $200               
WorldPerks Elite, SkyMiles Medallion members    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/158 cm    up to 3    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm   
Third    USD $125    Fourth - Tenth    USD $200    Third    USD $125   
Fourth - Tenth    USD $200        Fourth - Tenth    USD $200   

Domestic Travel (within the U.S.)**    
For tickets purchased on or after July 10, 2008   

Coach Class    First / World Business Class    Full Coach (Y) Fare   
Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size    Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size    Checked Bags    Cost per bag    Size   
All Customers (excluding current WorldPerks Elite, SkyMiles Medallion or SkyTeam Elite members)    First**    USD $15    50 lbs/23 kg 62 linear in/158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm   
Second**    USD $25    Third    Free    40 lbs/18 kg 45 linear in/115 cm    Third & subsequent    USD $100   
Third & subsequent    USD $100    Fourth & subsequent    USD $100           
WorldPerks Elite, SkyMiles Medallion & SkyTeam Elite members    up to 2    Free    50 lbs/23 kg 62 linear in/158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm    up to 2    Free    70 lbs/32 kg 62 linear in/ 158 cm   
Third & subsequent    USD $100    Third    Free    40 lbs/18 kg 45 linear in/115 cm    Third & subsequent    USD $100   
Fourth & subsequent    USD $100           

**For travel to/from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, the first and second checked bags are free. All other "Domestic" policies apply as indicated above.

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