Each ticketed passenger is generally allowed 2 pieces of checked baggage and the maximum weight is usually around 50 pounds (23 kg) per piece. There are size restrictions too - a piece of checked luggage generally has to measure 62 linear inches - length, width and height of the bag added together. If you are traveling on a smaller airline or a commuter plane, the allowance may be more restrictive.
If you check baggage, be sure to arrive at the airport in plenty of time - at least 2 hours for an international flight and 90 minutes if traveling domestically. Make sure each piece of luggage is clearly labeled on the outside in case of lost or delayed baggage. Your airline will have a "cut-off" time for checking baggage, meaning that you need a certain minimum amount of time to check in and go through security and be at your departure gate ready to board. If you check in late, you may be denied boarding or your bags may not make it on the flight with you.
You can usually check your baggage in at any time on the day of departure; if you have a flight later in the day and want to check your bags in the morning, you can usually do that. Each ticketed passenger must check their own bags in - you cannot take somebody else's bags to the airport for them. You can usually check your bags through to your final destination if connecting between different airlines, as long as those airlines have a checked bag agreement.
Check with your airline whether they have "baggage embargoes" at certain heavily traveled times of the year to popular destinations. (See question 3) The Caribbean and Florida during Christmas and spring break time are often subject to baggage embargoes. During an embargo period, you are not allowed to take any excess, overweight or oversize bags - even if you are prepared to pay for them. If you are traveling overseas, the rules governing excess baggage may be different depending on whether you are going to, or returning from a particular country,
The rules concerning checked baggage can be complicated if you are traveling overseas and are taking different airlines. In general, the airline that is transporting you either transpacific or transatlantic (known as the "governing carrier") will apply their baggage rules to your entire trip.
And the size and weight of your baggage may also depend on how your tickets were issued - whether you have one or two separate tickets. If different airlines do have different baggage rules, usually the most restrictive rules will apply to your entire journey. Again, if in doubt, check with your airline.
