It’s crucial to double verify before your trip as airline weight and size limits differ. Your American Airlines luggage allowance is based on your confirmed ticket, the cabin you are traveling in, and your airline loyalty level.
In terms of carry-on restrictions and costs, American Airlines has a rather thorough policy. The baggage policy of American Airlines, a significant domestic carrier, mirrors that of United and Delta more than that of Spirit and Frontier.
American Airlines Baggage Allowance
Customers of American Airlines frequently receive a free first checked bag, sometimes even two. But it depends on a lot of things, such as where you’re traveling, whether you have elite status, and if you have an American Airlines credit card. You can learn everything there is to know about American Airlines’ luggage policy in this tutorial.
American Airlines Baggage Allowance Domestic / International
American Airlines luggage allowance and fees Flying with American Airlines? Here is some useful information about American Airlines baggage fees & luggage allowances.
| Class | Dimensions | Weight | Cost | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Baggage Allowance | 56cm x 36cm x 23cm | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Checked Baggage Allowance | L+W+H 158cm | 23kg – 50lbs | £60 for 1st bag travelling to/from UK $30 for 1st bag travelling to/from US domestic | £75 for 2nd bag travelling to/from UK $40 for 2nd bag travelling to/from US domestic |
| Excess Baggage Allowance | L+W+H 158cm | 23kg – 50lbs | £65 for overweight baggage travelling to/from UK£100 for oversized baggage travelling to/from UK | $150-200 for overweight baggage travelling to/from US$150-200 for oversized baggage travelling to/from US |
American Airlines Hand Baggage Allowances
Handbags or Cabin Bags for Carry-On
For each passenger traveling in the cabin, American Airlines permits the transportation of 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item. The dimensions of the cabin baggage are limited. The carry-on bag must have a maximum combined size of 115 cm, with individual measurements of 56 cm, 36 cm, and 23 cm. It is also OK to carry a soft-sided bag with a maximum combined size of 130 cm.
A single personal item must be larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). A tote, briefcase, laptop bag, or purse might count as a personal item. Outerwear, a book or newspaper, a small snack bag, an authorized safety seat, a cushion, a blanket, a stroller, a diaper bag, duty-free goods, a breast pump, and mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs are also permitted in the cabin.
American Airlines Cabin Baggage Allowance
Exceptional Baggage on American Airlines
When you travel with unusual baggage, such as sports gear or a musical instrument, there may be additional limits, exclusions, and fees. Restrictions and fees vary depending on the specific item and route taken.
For instance, if you’re traveling with golf equipment, you may bring one bag that contains your clubs, balls, tees, and shoes. With swingless golf club load strips, you cannot travel. Up to 50 lb/23 kg and 126 in/320 cm (length + breadth + height), standard checked luggage costs of your destination apply. From 51 lb/23 kg to 70 lb/32 kg, a $150 fee applies.
As long as it fits in the overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of you, you may check a small musical instrument as a carry on bag on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check them into your hold luggage if they are too big to carry in the cabin. The maximum size and weight are 381cm and 75kg, respectively.
American Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
Number of Check-in Bags Allowed
- Upto 10 check-in bags on AA operated domestic, transatlantic and transpacific flights.
- Upto 5 check-in bags are allowed on AA operated flights on Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America and Brazil.
We use the word ‘Domestic’ to mean within US, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
American Airlines offers different checked baggage allowances depending on the route and class of travel. Even though there is a potential for charging for checked luggage, there is also a provision for offering up to three checked baggage pieces gratis, which implies that these do not incur fees or charges, in certain circumstances and on specific routes.
Let’s start by going through the circumstances in which complimentary luggage is acceptable. Each suitcase must have a total dimension of 158 cm and weigh no more than 23 kg (32 kg for flights to/from Brazil).
Complimentary check in baggage (Free Baggage):
| 1st Free | Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® and Citi®/AAdvantage® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines operated itineraries) |
| AAdvantage Gold | |
| oneworld Ruby | |
| In addition, 1st baggage is free when flying to/from these countries: Argentina*, Australia, Brazil*, Chile*, China, Colombia*, Ecuador*, El Salvador*, Haiti*, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama*, Paraguay*, Peru*, Qatar, South Korea, Transatlantic*, Uruguay*. | |
| *excluding Basic Economy | |
| 1st and 2nd Free | AAdvantage Platinum |
| oneworld Sapphire members and any companions traveling with you (excludes corporate bookings) | |
| TrueBlue Mosaic members | |
| Confirmed Business customers | |
| Confirmed Domestic First customers | |
| Confirmed Premium Economy customers | |
| 1st, 2nd and 3rd Free | Confirmed Flagship® First customers* |
| AAdvantage Executive Platinum® | |
| AAdvantage Platinum Pro® | |
| oneworld® Emerald | |
| Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders (1st–5th bags free of charge) | |
| Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel |
In cases where the above is not applicable, the schedule of charges is given below:
Check-in Baggage Fees
| First bag | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $30 | $30 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama) and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada | $30 | $30 | – | $0 | $0 |
| Or between Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti), and Central America (excluding Panama) | |||||
| Between Panama and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti), Central America | $45* | $0* | – | $0 | $0 |
| From U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Haiti) to Cuba | – | $30* | – | $0 | $0 |
| From Cuba to U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (including Haiti) | – | $0 | – | $0 | $0 |
| To or from Haiti | $30 | $0 | – | $0 | $0 |
| Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama) and Guyana, Suriname | $30 | $30 | – | $0 | $0 |
| Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America and South America (excluding Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname) | $45 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between Israel and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America | NA | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between Europe and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America | $75 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Or connecting via Europe to another destination | |||||
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ^Main Plus includes 1 more free checked bag (in addition to the Main Cabin allowance). | |||||
| Second bag | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $40 | $40 | $0* | $0 | $0 |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti) or Central America (excluding Panama) and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada | $40* | $40* | – | $0 | $0 |
| Between Haiti and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba), Central America | $65 | $65 | – | $0 | $0 |
| From U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Haiti) to Cuba | – | $200* | – | $0 | $0 |
| From Haiti to Cuba | – | $200* | – | $0 | $0 |
| From Cuba to U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Haiti) | – | $0 | – | $0 | $0 |
| From Cuba to Haiti | – | $0 | – | $0 | $0 |
| Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America and Panama | $65* | $65* | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama) and Guyana, Suriname | $40 | $40 | – | $0 | $0 |
| Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America and South America (excluding Guyana, Suriname) | $65 | $65 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, and South America | $100 | $100 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $100 | $100* | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ^Main Plus includes 1 more free checked bag (in addition to the Main Cabin allowance). | |||||
| Third bag | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150** |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $0** |
| Or between the Caribbean and Central America | |||||
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America | $200* | $200* | $200* | $200* | $0** |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $0** |
| *Seasonal and / or year-round limitations apply on checked bags and the number of boxes allowed for travel to select cities. | |||||
| **Third checked bag fees apply in First Class on domestic 2-cabin aircraft. There is no charge for the third checked bag when traveling in Flagship® First International and Flagship® First Transcontinental. | |||||
| Fourth bag + | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200^ |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean or Central America, South America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200^ |
| Or between Mexico, Caribbean and Central America, South America | |||||
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and South America | $200* | $200* | $200* | $200* | $200**^ |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200^ |
American Airlines Excess/Extra Baggage Allowance
American Airlines Extra Baggage Fee
Depending on the carry on size and weight of the luggage, American Airlines can accept baggage with an additional baggage cost. The overweight baggage fees are known to be very expensive.
Overweight Baggage Fees for Trans-Pacific Flights
- 51 – 70 pounds: $100
- 71 – 100 pounds: $450
Oversize Baggage Fees for Trans-Pacific Flights
- 62 – 126 inches: $200
American Airlines Baggage Allowance for Student
Does American Airlines provide extra baggage for students? American Airlines recently announced an extra piece of baggage for students travelling for higher studies to USA.
American Airlines Overweight & Oversized Baggage Fees
Oversized Check-In Bag Fees
| Over 51 lbs/23 kgs to 70 lbs/32 kgs* | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $100 | $100 | $100 | $0 / 100^ | $0 / 100^ |
| To / From Cuba | $200 | $200 | $200 | $0 / $200^ | $0 / $200^ |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean or Central America, South America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada | $100* | $100* | $100* | $0 / 100^ | $0 / 100^ |
| Or between the Caribbean and Central America | |||||
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America | $100* | $100* | $100* | $0 / 100^ | $0 / 100^ |
| To or from Australia and New Zealand | $0 / $100^ | $0 / $100^ | $0 / $100^ | $0 / $100^ | $0 / $100^ |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $100 | $100 | $100 | $0 / 100^ | $0 / 100^ |
| Cuba overweight fee is $100 for tickets issued before April 26, 2022 and $200 for tickets issued on / after April 26, 2022 and travel on / after May 26, 2022. | |||||
| $150 AUD/NZD for travel originating in Australia or New Zealand | |||||
| 10,000JPY for travel originating in Japan | |||||
| Over 71 lbs/32kgs to 100 lbs/45 kgs* | |||||
| BE | MC | PE | BC | FC | |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada | $200* | $200* | $200* | $200* | $200* |
| Or between the Caribbean and Central America | |||||
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| To or from Australia and New Zealand | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| 45,000JPY for travel originating in Japan | |||||
Oversized Check-in Bag Fees
| Larger than 62 in/157 cm* upto 126 in/320cm | |||||
| Regions | BE | MC | PE | BC | FC |
| Within and between U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Between Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada | $200*^ | $200*^ | $200*^ | $200*^ | $200*^ |
| Or between the Caribbean and Central America | |||||
| Between South America and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Between Europe, Israel, Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and South America | $150* | $150* | $150* | $150* | $150* |
| To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| ^ For Panama a $150 oversize fee applies for tickets issued on / after November 9, 2021. For tickets issued on / before November 8, 2021, the oversize fee is $200. | |||||
| 20,000JPY for travel originating in Japan. $150 AUD/NZD for travel originating in Australia or New Zealand. | |||||