PACKING

LUGGAGE

Free airline baggage allowances depend on the airline, the route, and the class of your ticket; ask in advance. In general, on flights within the United Statesand on international flights between the United States and foreign destinations, you are entitled to check two bags---neither exceeding 62 inches, or 158 centimeters (length + width + height), or weighing more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms). A third piece may be brought aboard; its total dimensions are generally limited to less than 45 inches (114 centimeters), so it will fit easily under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. In the United States, the FAA gives airlines broad latitude to limit carry-on allowances and tailor them to different aircraft and operational conditions. Charges for excess, oversize, or overweight pieces vary.

If you are flying between two foreign destinations, note that baggage allowances may be determined not by piece but by weight---generally 88 pounds (40 kilograms) in first class, 66 pounds (30 kilograms) in business class, and 44 pounds (20 kilograms) in economy. If your flight between two cities abroad connects with your transatlantic or transpacific flight, the piece method still applies.

Safeguarding Your Luggage
Before leaving home, itemize your bags' contents and their worth and label the bags with your name, address, and phone number. (If you use your home address, cover it so potential thieves can't see it.) Inside your bag, pack a copy of your itinerary. At check-in, make sure that your bag is correctly tagged with the airport's three-letter destination code. If your bags arrive damaged or not at all, file a written report with the airline before leaving the airport.