American Airlines Baggage Policy

As one of the largest airlines in the world, American Airlines offers a variety of travel options for its customers. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just taking a one-time trip, it’s important to understand the airline’s baggage policy to ensure a hassle-free travel experience.

In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about American Airlines’ baggage policy, including allowed baggage sizes and weights, fees for checked bags, and ways to avoid these fees.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

All American Airlines tickets include:

• 1 personal item
• 1 carry-on bag

The airline has size limits for carry-on baggage but there is no limit on weight.

Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item can be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 centimeters). It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Typical personal items include:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Small backpack

Carry On Bag Size Limit

Your carry-on bag can be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 centimeters).

Typical carry-on bags include:

• Small suitcase
• Duffel Bag
• Large backpack

You can bring a musical instrument on board instead of your carry-on bag. However, it must be within the carry-on size limits.

Alternatively, you can bring a garment bag instead of your carry-on bag. It must be no larger than 51 linear inches (130 centimeters). This size is calculated by adding your garment bag’s length, width, and height measurements together.

Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

American Airlines doesn’t impose a weight limit on your carry-on bag. However, you should be able to lift it into the overhead bin without needing help.

Hot Tip: There is always the possibility that your carry-on bag may be gate checked due to insufficient space in the overhead bins. To prepare for this event, make sure that you pack all your important documents, valuables, and fragile items in your personal item.

Checked Baggage Policy

Travel Regions

Before we begin our discussion about American Airline’s checked baggage policy, we need to become familiar with the airline’s travel regions.

Your checked baggage allowance and fee structure is primarily based on your itinerary. Each of the airline’s destinations falls into one of the following regions.

Domestic

• United States (continental)
• Hawaii
• Canada
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Mexico

• Mexico

Caribbean

Central America

• Belize
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Panama

South America

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Uruguay

Transatlantic

Transpacific

• Australia
• China
• Hong Kong
• India
• Japan
• New Zealand
• South Korea

Standard Checked Bags

All checked bags which are included with Economy Class baggage allowances are standard checked bags. They follow the size and weight limits as described below.

Any checked bags that you buy in addition to any free checked baggage allowance are also standard checked bags. This applies to all cabin classes.

Checked Baggage Size Limit

Your standard checked bag can be no larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters). Your bag’s size is calculated by measuring its outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together. Make sure that you include any protruding wheels, handles, and straps with your measurements.

If your checked bag exceeds 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), it will be considered oversized and subject to an extra fee when checking in at the airport.

American Airlines doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 126 linear inches (320 centimeters).

Checked Baggage Weight Limit

Your checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, it will be considered overweight, and subject to an overweight baggage fee.

American Airlines won’t accept checked baggage that weighs more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for some destinations, while other routes allow bags weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms):

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

Free Checked Baggage Allowance by Destination

American Airlines doesn’t include any checked baggage with its Economy Class fares.

An exception to this is if you’re traveling to certain international destinations. Your economy class ticket will include 1 free checked bag.

Important: American Airlines changed its checked baggage policy for Basic Economy Class fares. All Basic Economy tickets sold from June 7, 2033, will no longer include a checked bag, irrespective of the region you’re traveling to.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance by Cabin Class

If you buy a higher tier fare, your ticket will include a number of free checked bags:

Free Checked Baggage Allowance by Frequent Flyer Status

AAdvantage Program

The AAdvantage program is American Airlines’ frequent-flyer program. Once you’ve earned enough points to achieve status, you and your travel companions included on your reservation are entitled to the following free checked baggage allowance, based on your status tier:

Note: AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum status members are entitled to a fourth free checked bag when flying in Flagship First.

AAdvantage is free to join.

oneworld Alliance

oneworld is a global airline alliance that American Airlines is a member. You automatically become eligible to oneworld perks when joining a member airline’s loyalty program.

One of its perks is you’re your frequent-flyer status with a participating airline is shared across all alliance members.

Once you’ve earned enough points to achieve status with one of oneworld’s member airlines, you’re entitled to the following free checked baggage allowance on American Airlines flights, based on your status tier:

Note: oneworld Emerald status members are entitled to a fourth free checked bag when flying in Flagship First.

TrueBlue Mosaic

TrueBlue is JetBlue’s loyalty program. Once you’ve earned enough points to achieve Mosaic status, you’re entitled to the following free checked baggage allowance on American Airlines flights.

TrueBlue is free to join.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance by Credit Card

AAdvantage Aviator Credit Card

Certain AAdvantage Aviator credit cards include the following checked baggage allowance benefit:

Citi / AAdvantage Credit Card

If you are a Citi / AAdvantage credit card member, you may be entitled to a free checked baggage allowance. These baggage allowances apply to domestic travel only.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Active-Duty Military Personnel

If you’re an active-duty U.S. military member traveling on American Airlines, you and your dependents are eligible to the following free checked baggage allowances:

Baggage Fees

Extra Baggage

Checked baggage bought in addition to any included baggage allowance are always standard checked bags, irrespective of which cabin class that you’re traveling in.

Each extra bag has a 62 linear inch (158 centimeters) size limit and 50 pounds (23 kilogram) weight allowance.

Maximum Number of Checked Bags

The maximum number of bags that you can check in is based on the region that you’ll be traveling to:

Baggage Embargoes

Certain destinations south of the U.S. border (namely in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America) may be affected by seasonal or year-round baggage embargoes. These baggage limitations may affect the number of bags with which you can travel.

Extra Baggage Fees

Checked baggage fees vary, based on the region that you’ll be traveling to:

Basic Economy First Bag Fee

The following table indicates how much you’ll have to pay to buy your first checked bag in Basic Economy. If you wish to buy more than one bag, please refer to the table in the next section (Economy Class) for applicable fees.

Economy Class Checked Baggage Fees

Oversized Baggage Fees

If your standard checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) and 126 linear inches (320 centimeters), it is considered oversized, and subject to an oversized baggage fee. This fee is in addition to any other fees applicable to your bag, including an overweight fee.

American Airlines won’t accept checked baggage larger than 126 linear inches (320 centimeters).

The applicable oversized baggage charge depends on the region that you’re traveling to:

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your standard checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but is no heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it is considered overweight, and subject to an overweight baggage fee. This fee is in addition to any other fees applicable to your bag, including an oversized fee.

American Airlines has two categories of overweight baggage:

• 51 pounds (23 kilograms) to 70 pounds (32 kilograms)
• 71 pounds (32 kilograms) to 100 pounds (45 kilograms)

It’s important to note that not all regions allow checked baggage that weighs more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

American Airlines won’t accept checked baggage heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms).

The applicable overweight baggage charge depends on the region that you’re traveling to:

American Airlines Baggage Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your baggage allowance and have a smooth travel experience.

Know Your Carry On Baggage Limits

American Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger on all flights. Although this airline doesn’t have as negative a reputation as some of the low-cost carriers, when it comes to measuring cabin baggage, you should still adhere to their size limits.

The carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin and measure no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including handles and wheels.

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and measure no more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

You can instead bring a soft-sided garment bag (up to 51 inches) or a musical instrument as your carry-on item, as long as it fits in the overhead bin or under the seat.

Pack Your Carry On Bags Strategically

If the overhead bins are full, you may have to check your carry-on bag. To prepare for such an event, make sure that you pack all your important documents, valuables, and fragile items in your personal item.

You can then hand over your carry-on bag to the gate staff, without having to do any last-minute frantic repacking.

Pay for Your Bags at the Airport

There is no advantage to prepaying for your checked bags before you reach the airport, besides saving some time. American Airline’s doesn’t offer a discount when paying for your bags early.

Your travel circumstances may change at the last minute, and you no longer need to travel with checked baggage. Baggage fees are non-refundable, so you wouldn’t be able to request a refund.

Pack Your Checked Baggage Smartly

To avoid overweight or oversized fees, make sure your checked bags weigh no more than 50 pounds and measure no more than 62 linear inches (length + width + height).

You can use a luggage scale and a tape measure to check your bags before you leave home. You can also pack lighter by rolling your clothes, using compression bags, and wearing your heaviest items on the plane.

Label Your Bags

To prevent your bags from getting lost or mixed up with others, make sure you put your contact information inside and outside every bag. You can also customize the look of your bag with a colorful luggage tag, ribbon, sticker, or luggage cover to make it easy to find on the baggage carousel.

Keep Valuables with You

Don’t pack anything valuable, fragile, or essential in your checked bags, such as jewelry, electronics, medication, documents, or keys. Keep these items with you in your personal item for security and convenience.

Keep Track of Your Checked Bags

American Airlines offers a service to track your bags online through their website or mobile app.

With this service, you can track your bags anytime and anywhere, and enjoy peace of mind while traveling with American Airlines.

Follow The Rules for Liquids

If you’re bringing any liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, or pastes in your carry-on bag, make sure they are in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and fit in a quart-sized transparent plastic bag. This is the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids that applies to all airlines.

Use a Bag Delivery Service

If you want to skip the baggage claim and have your bags delivered directly to your destination, you can use a bag delivery service such as Luggage Forward. For a fee, you can have your bags delivered directly to your destination.

Your vacation can begin as soon as you land at your destination!

­Final Thoughts

It is no surprise that American Airlines has a complex checked bag policy, compared to other carriers, as it is one of the largest airlines in the world. To be fair, its baggage policy is very thorough – but there are so many exceptions to absorb, especially when it comes to baggage fees.

I’m pleased that American is upfront with its checked baggage charges. Many airlines hide their fees behind an online baggage tool. To figure out what baggage fees apply for a specific itinerary, you need to conduct a search using the tool. This can be incredibly time-consuming when planning your trip. So, I tip my hat to American for their transparency.

If you are traveling with only one or two standard-sized checked bags, American Airlines’ fees are consistent with most other U.S. carriers. However, if you are traveling with oversize, overweight, or excess bags, the cumulative fees are quite expensive.

Finally, this post made several references to baggage embargoes. If you are planning to fly with American Airlines to the Caribbean, Central America, or South America, make sure that you are aware of any seasonal or all-year baggage restrictions that may apply to your itinerary.

Hot Tip: Keep an eye on your email inbox up to the date of departure – airlines can sometimes introduce baggage embargoes on short notice. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and not be able to check all your bags!

Remember to always check American Airline’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Sources

• American Airlines