The Table below outlines the basic rules and fees each airline charges for luggage. The information listed on this page is for Domestic flights only. For more detailed information on each airline’s luggage policies, and for international flight luggage fees, simply click the name of the airline in the far left column below.

• A Personal Item is a small bag such as a purse, backpack, or laptop bag.
• Each Airline allows one Personal Item and one Carry-on Bag. Size restrictions vary by airline for carry on bags. The restrictions listed below refer to the sum of the length + width + height of the bag.
• Size and weight restrictions on checked bags vary by airline. Click the airline name in the far left column in table below to get detailed information

Airline	Carry On Size Limit	Fee for 1st Checked Bag	Fee for 2nd Checked Bag	Fee For Oversized or Overweight Bag
Jet Blue	45in/115cm	$0.00	$30.00	Between 51-70 pounds requires a $50 fee, 71-100lbs requires a $100 fee. Any bag larger than 62in/157cm requires a $75 fee.
Southwest Airlines	45in/115cm	$0.00	$0.00	All overweight/oversize baggage will require a $50 fee.
Frontier Airlines	49in/125cm	$20.00	$30.00	All overweight/oversize baggage will require a $75 fee.
Airtran Airways	55in/139cm	$20.00	$25.00	Between 51-70 pounds requires a $49 fee, 71-100lbs requires a $79 fee. Any bag larger than 62in/157cm requires a $79 fee.
American Airlines	45in/115cm	$25.00	$35.00	Any baggage over 50lbs/23kgs will require a $50 fee, over 70lbs/45kgs will require a $100 fee. Any baggage larger than 62in/157cm will require a $150 fee.
US Airways	45in/115cm	$25.00	$35.00	Between 51-70 pounds requires a $50 fee, 71-100lbs requires a $100 fee. Any bag larger than 62in/157cm requires a $100 fee.
Delta Airlines	45in/115cm	$25.00	$35.00	Fee ranges from $50-$450 depending on destination and how far past the limitations the baggage is.
United Airlines	45in/115cm	$25.00	$35.00	Varies by destination, anywhere from $50-$200
Continental Airlines	45in/115cm	$25.00	$35.00	All overweight baggage will require a $50 fee, all oversize baggage will require a $100 fee.
Hawaiian Airlines	45in/115cm	$10.00	$17.00	Fees vary depending on location and type of baggage, fees range from $25-$100.
Midwest Airlines	49in/124cm	$20.00	$20.00	Between 51-70 pounds requires a $75fee, oversize baggage requires a $75 fee.
Spirit Airlines	50in/127cm	$25.00	$25.00	Between 51-70 pounds requires a $50 fee, 71-100lbs requires a $100 fee. Any bag larger than 62in/157cm requires a $100 fee, larger than 80in requires a $150 fee.
Virgin Atlantic	45in/115cm	$0.00	$48.00	All overweight/oversize baggage will require a $60 fee.
Alaska Airlines	51in/129cm	$20.00	$20.00	Baggage over 50lbs requires a $50 fee, Any bag larger than 62in/157cm-80in/203cm requires a $50 fee, larger will require a $75 fee.

Even though the number of people flying is down, the revenue of U.S. airlines is going up. During the first six months of 2009, the U.S. airlines have collected $3.8 billion (with a ‘B’) for fees and surcharges such as, pet carrying fees, cancellation fees, baggage check fees, etc. Checked baggage fees are doing especially well for the airlines. Revenue from baggage fees alone was $1.24 billion dollars. The supposed reason for the increase in fees, or addition of new fees, is to offset the current downturn in air travel since 9/11/01. I would not expect the fees to go away, even if air travel picks back up in the future. The airlines are making too much money off of these fees to quit charging them, even if business does pick up. But it seems to reason, that if ticket revenue increased, and the fees were meant to offset the previously low ticket revenue, the fees should drop off. Perhaps that is just too logical for the airlines to pick up on that.

• Source: www.usatoday.com

If you are looking to travel on some of the busiest travel days of the season, be prepared for another surcharge on your ticket. United Airlines and Americans Airlines each added a $10 surcharge on most of their tickets for the following busy travel days: November 29th (Sunday after Thanksgiving), January 2nd, and January 3rd. The charge is technically a “fuel surcharge,” but it seems that the airlines are really just looking to hit you in your wallet, just for traveling during the holiday season. If you plan on traveling by air for the holidays, perhaps you could choose travel dates that don’t include these three special days. Your wallet will appreciate it.

Source: www.msnbc.com