Continental Airlines generally follows the FAA ruling on carry-on baggage, though restrictions may be imposed related to available space on a flight. Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item---such as a purse or laptop---when boarding aircraft. Each piece of carry-on cannot exceed 45 linear inches (the total of height, width and depth).
Continental Airlines' list of personal items includes handbags, briefcases, camera cases, small collapsible stroller and laptop computers, and any other similar in size. Certain items can be brought on board and will not be counted as carry-on baggage, including food items for immediate consumption, toiletries purchased inside the airport, coats and wheelchairs.
All checked baggage---including the first piece of checked baggage on domestic Continental Airlines flights, as well as flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Puerto Rico---incur a fee. As of March 2010, fees range from $23 to $25 for the first bag. The second checked bag incurs a higher fee of $32 to $35. Baggage rates vary based on whether you check them online, or at the ticket counter, kiosk or airport curbside.
Continental Airlines accepts at their applicable service fee rate up to two pieces of checked baggage for Economy Class passengers with a maximum weight of 50 lbs. and a maximum outside dimension of 62 linear inches per bag.
No charge is incurred on the first checked bag for Continental Airlines flights to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Fees for the second bag as of March 2010 range from $30 to $50. Fees are slightly lower when paying online rather than at the airport. All designated Asia and Pacific flights carry no fees for the first or second checked bag. Third and fourth bag charges are $150 each.
Domestic Economy Class passengers with checked baggage of more than 50 lbs. but not exceeding 70 lbs. are charged an additional fee of $50 each as of March 2010. Continental Airlines does not accept luggage exceeding 70 lbs. Luggage exceeding 62 linear inches but less than 80 linear inches will incur additional fees of $100. Any bag bigger than 80 linear inches for domestic travelers will be denied at check-in. Transatlantic/Pacific passengers pay a higher fee of $150. Luggage size upwards from 80 linear inches to 115 linear inches is allowed on overseas flights for $300.
