Most airlines allow you to bring one bag and one personal item aboard the plane. The bag can be a small suitcase (usually less than 45 total inches, but check with your airline to be sure) and personal items include purses, backpacks, laptop bags, briefcases and duty-free bags.
Checked baggage allowances vary by carrier and from domestic to international flights, but a good number to keep in mind is 50 pounds. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds might be subject to over-sized luggage fees. When two bags are allowed, airlines sometimes consider the combined weight, and you can sometimes spread the weight between all members traveling in your party. A family of four traveling together might be allowed 400 combined pounds, so a bag weighing 60 pounds may be allowed. Call ahead if you are unsure.
Some airlines allow passengers to check up to 10 additional bags for an additional fee. Prices vary for additional bags between airlines. Over-sized items, such as golf clubs or bicycles, can be checked for a fee. Airlines reserve the right to refuse to ship items based on available space and weight. Call ahead to double-check.
