Passengers have the option of carrying on their luggage if their luggage complies with the carry-on size standards. According to Delta Airlines, passengers are limited to one personal item, such as a handbag or laptop, and one piece of luggage as of October 2010. The luggage must not exceed the size limitations of 45 linear inches in combined width, height and length. Luggage that is larger than this dimension is required to be checked in the baggage compartment of the plane.
When passengers check their luggage to be stowed beneath the plane during a flight, they may be charged a luggage fee by their airline. According to United Airlines, passengers who fly Economy class within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada must pay a flat fee for the first bag that is checked, and a higher additional fee for the second and additional bags. Fees are charged per one-way flight, which mean the passengers will again be charged for their luggage on their return flights. Part of United Airlines' baggage protocol states that those who fly United First or United Business are exempt from having to pay luggage fees.
Bags that weigh more than 50 pounds are subjected to additional "oversize" fees by an airline as of October 2010. If passengers check more than two bags, they are charged an "excess" fee. Such additional fees are set by the airline, so various airlines have varying fees. A passenger's destination also impacts how much they are charged to check oversized or excess luggage. For instance, international flights cost passengers more money to stow oversized and excess luggage than domestic flights.
Airlines and airports are not only concerned with the size of your luggage, but also what your bags contain. According to the Transportation Security Administration, certain items are prohibited from being carried onto a plane, which include: knives, box cutters, baseball bats, firearms, hammers and other tools, gasoline and lighter fluid. Some items, such as hammers and baseball bats, can be checked. Other items, like lighter fluid, are prohibited even if the bags are checked.
