TRAVEL GUIDE

Northwest Airlines

Flying during pregnancy

It is commonly recommended that women not fly at all during their last six weeks of pregnancy. Northwest Airlines' policy states that pregnant passengers traveling within 30 days of expected delivery must provide a doctor's statement dated within 72 hours of departure indicating the due date and indicating that air travel does not pose a health risk. Women in labor will be denied boarding for safety reasons.

Pregnant women should always consult their obstetricians or midwives before traveling. Traveling during the second trimester of pregnancy is often easier as morning sickness will most likely have subsided, energy levels are up and you are still a comfortable distance from your due date. Here are some additional tips for staying comfortable on your flight:

•  Reserve an aisle seat so that you can easily access the bathroom and move about the cabin. Getting up and walking regularly will help combat swelling and discomfort.

•  Bring a copy of your medical records and ask your doctor for a referral in case of an emergency while you are away.

•  Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and flat shoes. Wear layers if you are prone to body-temperature fluctuations.

•  Keep your seatbelt low around your hips, not around your abdomen.

•  Get a small pillow from the flight attendant and place it under your lower back to avoid back strain.

•  Drink plenty of water-at least one liter for every two hours in flight.

Traveling with Children

The following tips should help both parents and kids arrive at their destination with smiles on their faces.

•  If you have a long trip scheduled, "red-eye" flights may be best. This increases the chance that your youngster will be able to sleep through the majority of the trip.

•  While any child under two is not required to have their own seat, they may be happier if they do. Purchase a ticket for your infant as well, and use a FAA certified car seat.

•  If you do use a car seat, make sure it has been certified for air travel.

•  Bring toys your children have never used -- the newness will hold their attention longer.

•  Bring plenty of juice. Air travel can be dehydrating, especially for children.

•  Wrap up "surprises" for your children to pull out when they get especially restless.

•  Finger foods are a great distraction.

•  When traveling with your baby, give him/her a bottle or pacifier to suck on during takeoff and landing. This will help equalize the ear pressure and keep your baby comfortable.

Domestic Free Luggage Allowance

For domestic travel (within United States including Alaska and Hawaii, and between the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean), each ticketed passenger is allowed two pieces of checked luggage and one piece of carry-on luggage plus a purse, or brief case or laptop computer. When traveling in Domestic First Class passengers are allowed three pieces of checked luggage in addition to their carry-on items. All checked and carry-on luggage is subject to the following limitations:

Checked Luggage
Northwest Airlines will accept checked luggage up to a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23kg) per piece and a maximum total linear dimension (length plus width plus height) of 62 inches (158 cm).

Domestic Excess Luggage
Luggage weighing between 50 and 70 pounds will be assessed $25USD / $39 CAD per piece and luggage weighing between 70 and 100 pounds will be assessed $50 USD / $77 CAD per piece. Luggage weighing over 100 pounds will not be accepted as checked luggage.

Excess charges for additional, oversized, or overweight pieces are calculated on a per piece charge.

Luggage connecting to other airlines is subject to the connecting carrier's charges in addition to the Northwest charges. Codeshare passengers will be charged excess luggage fees a though they were traveling on one airline. The fees charged will be that of the boarding carrier.

Domestic US Overweight Pieces
Over 50 up to 70 lbs 25.00 USD 39.00 CAD
Over 70 up to 100 lbs 50.00 USD 77.00 CAD
Domestic US Additional Pieces
1st - 3rd 80.00 USD 123.00 CAD
4th - 6th 105.00 USD 162.00 CAD
7th and subsequent 180.00 USD 277.00 CAD

Oversized Pieces
63 - 160 Inches 80.00 USD 123.00 CAD

Items over 160IN/406CM or 100LB/46KG are not accepted as checked luggage.

Carry-On Luggage
When luggage is carried on-board the aircraft, it must be of a size and shape to allow for storage in aircraft overhead compartments, or underneath the seat in front of the passenger. Each person is allowed to carry on-board the aircraft one piece of luggage. This piece of luggage must not exceed 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches) and also must not exceed 40 pounds. In addition to this one piece of carry-on luggage, customers may also carry on-board a purse or briefcase or laptop computer. In addition, each passenger may carry a coat, umbrella, or other "special" items.

If you are flying on one of NW's airlink affiliates (Pinnacle or Mesaba Airlines), you will need to check your carry-on luggage as you board your flight. It will be returned to you planeside upon arrival. Passengers are permitted to carry-on personal items such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, etc. in the cabin.

International Free Luggage Allowance

International Travel between the U.S/Canada, Asia and Europe

For international travel between the U.S./Canada, Asia and Europe, each ticketed passenger is allowed to check the following:

Coach Class

Two (2) checked pieces
70 pounds /32 kilograms per piece - linear dimensions (length plus width plus height) not to exceed 62 inches/158 cm
World Business Class

From the U.S. -Three (3) checked pieces (maximum weight for the third piece is 40 pounds/18 kilograms linear dimensions not to exceed 45 inches/115 cm).
From outside the U.S. - Two (2) checked pieces
70 pounds/32 kilograms per piece - linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches/158 cm
For information on charges for checking luggage that exceeds the free allowance, that weigh more than 70 pounds or are over the size limits outlined in the international free luggage policy, please contact Northwest Reservations.

Bags that weigh over 100 pounds / 45 kilograms must be shipped via cargo using a known shipper/freight forwarder, or repacked to comply with luggage requirements.

For international travel outside United States/Canada
For travel with an origin and destination outside the U.S./Canada (i.e. within Asia or within Europe), the weight concept applies. The weight concept allows a maximum weight for baggage, per person, that can be checked free of charge. The free weight applies to the total weight of all bags checked by an individual.

For travel wholly within or between Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the maximum checked luggage weight limitation is:

Coach Class: 44 pounds/20 kilograms
World Business Class: 66 pounds/30 kilograms
Infants not occupying a passenger seat: 22 pounds/10 kilograms

Bags that weigh over 100 pounds / 45 kilograms must be shipped via cargo using a known shipper/freight forwarder, or repacked to comply with luggage requirements.

For information on charges for checking luggage that exceeds the free allowance, please contact Northwest Reservations.

Carry-On Luggage
Northwest will accept one carry-on item, with a maximum outside linear dimension of 45 inches (115 cm) and not more than 40 pounds. (18 kilograms). If you are flying on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the carry-on restriction is 22 pounds. This piece must be of a size and shape to fit under the seat in front of the passenger, or in an enclosed overhead compartment. In addition to the one piece of carry-on luggage, customers may also carry a purse or briefcase or laptop computer. Luggage not meeting these specifications must be transported as checked luggage.

World Business Class customers are permitted an additional piece of carry-on luggage, for a total of two pieces of carry-on luggage. On flights originating in the U.S., this second piece of carry-on may have to be checked. If checked, no excess luggage charges will apply provided it meets the carry on luggage maximum size and weight limits.

"Special" Items include:
Crutches
Cane
Brace
Prosthesis
Collapsible manual wheelchair
One stroller
Infant car seat
Infant diaper bag
Reading material
Camera
Two wheeled luggage cart, fitting under the seat or overhead bin
Luggage not meeting these specifications must be transported as checked luggage.

All items not needed in-flight should be checked. Passengers should carry on medicine, keys, important papers, and travel documents (passport).

SOURCE: http://www.nwa.com

Copyright © 2005 Northwest Airlines. All rights reserved.

Babies Travel Lite does not guarentee the accuracy of the information contained herein. Please visit nwa.com to verify that the information is still current.