American Airlines Baggage Policy: What You Need to Know
Regular basic fares for American Airlines baggage policy include the following:
- No cost for 1 personal item.
- No cost for 1 carry-on item.
- Carry-on baggage.
- Fees will be applicable per bag with the increased number of checked baggage/hold baggage.
- Charges will be imposed on overweight and oversize bags depending on the weight and size categories.
- Passengers have to pay the fees on certain sports types of equipment.
American Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy
1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) and 1 carry-on bag is permitted without paying any fees.
Following size and weight restrictions on carry-on bags:
- 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9in) or 115 centimeters (61 x 43 x 25cm) including wheels and handles.
- Put in the available space under the seat in front of you or overhead bin.
- Carry-on does not count items such as; a jacket, diaper bags, an umbrella, duty-free items, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraint seats, etc)
NOTE: There is no under-seat storage on Bulkhead seats, therefore, during take-off, all carry-on baggage must be stowed in the overhead bin.
American Airlines Checked Baggage/Hold Baggage Policy
- 2 Bags Standard and
- For US domestic, transatlantic, and transpacific maximum of 10 bags are allowed and passengers can take 5 bags maximum if they are travelling to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, or South America
- 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height) is the maximum dimensions.
- 50 pounds or 23 kilograms is the maximum weight for the economy and 70 pounds or 32 kilograms for first/business.
American Airlines Baggage Fee
Fees are applicable depending on the type of fare you purchased, and your destination if you have an American Airlines sponsored credit/charge card, if you are an active US military personnel and/or dependent, if you have a status with American Airlines’ frequent program, status, with an affiliated carrier.
Fees for standard checked baggage/hold luggage:
US domestic:
- USD 30 for the first bag.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
Mexico:
- USD 30 for the first bag.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti)
- USD 30 for the first bag.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
Cuba:
- No cost for the first bag (USD 30 on the basic economy)
- No cost for the second bag. (USD 40 Basic Economy)
Haiti:
- No Cost for the first bag.
- USD 70 for the second bag.
Central America (except Panama):
- USD 30 for the first bag.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
- USD 55 from Honduras seasonally.
Panama:
- No Cost for the first bag but USD 30 including basic economy
- USD 40 for a second bag.
South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana)
- No Cost for the first bag but USD 45 including basic economy.
- USD 65 for the second bag.
Colombia:
- No Cost for the first bag but USD 30 including basic economy.
- USD 55 for the second bag.
Ecuador:
- No Cost for the first bag but USD 30 including basic economy.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
Guyana:
- USD 30 for the first bag.
- USD 40 for a second bag.
Transatlantic:
- No Cost for the first bag but USD 75 including basic economy.
- USD 100 for the second bag.
Transpacific:
- No cost for the first bag.
- No cost for the second bag.
American Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
Fees as per the excess checked baggage/hold luggage:
US Domestic (including Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands):
- USD 150 for the third bag.
- USD 200 for fourth per bag.
Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico:
- USD 150 for the third bag.
- USD 200 for fourth per bag.
South America:
- USD 150 for the third bag.
- USD 200 for fourth per bag.
Transatlantic:
- USD 200 for the third bag.
- USD 200 for fourth per bag.
Transpacific:
- USD 200 for the third bag.
- USD 200 for fourth per bag.
American Airlines Overweight Baggage Fee
Fees will be applicable on bags heavier than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms.
- USD 100 will be charged per extra bag if it is 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 46 kilograms. (waived for all First Class, Business Class, Advantage Executive Platinum, and One World Emerald passengers).
- USD 200 will be charged per extra bag if it is 71 to 100 pounds or 33 to 46 kilograms (from/ to Cuba or on Transatlantic is not acceptable) and USD 450 extra on Transpacific but from/to Australia is not acceptable.
- Checked Baggage/ Hold Luggage bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted.
American Airlines Oversize Baggage Fee
Visit the official website for the latest baggage pricing and on bags between 62-125 inches or 158-320 centimeters fees will be charged as per the following:
- USD 200 will be charged on U S domestic, the Caribbean, Central America (except Panama), Mexico, and Transpacific.
- USD 150 will be charged on Panama, South America, and Transatlantic.
While traveling to Bolivia, Paraguay, and cities in Brazil there will be year-round limitations on baggage. No acceptance of bags with overall dimensions that exceed 125 inches or 320 centimeters.
American Airlines Sports Equipment Fee
Associated fees will be applied and American Airlines will accept sports equipment such as; skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, and hockey, and lacrosse equipment. Size and weight limits and will count as one checked bag/ hold bag.
CPAP Devices
Check-in at the gate before boarding so that an agent can: verify that you can use the POC and respond to its alarm. Describe the flight phases during which the POC will be operational. Verify that you have enough fully charged batteries to power the POC at least 150% over the whole flight and ground connection period (including any unforeseen delays).
Furthermore, your POC has to squeeze under the seat in front of you; if you have a POC in flight, you are not permitted to sit in an emergency exit, a bulkhead, or any seat that restricts another passenger’s access to the aisle; when moving about the cabin with your POC, as long as the “fasten seatbelt” light is not illuminated, you are allowed to do so.