American Airlines Baggage Policy

It’s a good idea to check the baggage allowance before making a flight reservation. Each airline has its own baggage policies, which might change according to the fare class, the type of luggage, and the destination. If you are not careful about the baggage policies, you can find yourself paying baggage fees or an additional price if you carry overweight or excessive bags. You should be aware of American Airlines baggage policy and fees if you want to book a flight with them soon. The following list of details will give you the essential information you need to know about American Airlines baggage policies:

American Baggage Policy

American Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy

American Airlines allows each traveller to check one carry-on bag and one free personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag).

The following size and weight limitations apply to carry-on luggage:

  • With handles and wheels, it measures 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimetres (56 x 36 x 23 cm).
  • Fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
  • Your personal belongings need to be the right size to fit under the seat in front of you.
  • Your carry-on allowance does not include a jacket, umbrella, diaper bag, duty-free items, or assistance equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child safety seats, etc.).

American Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

The following are the details of American Airlines’ (AA) regular checked baggage / hold luggage policy:

  • 2 normal bags, a 10 bag limit for domestic, transatlantic, and pacific travel in the United States, and a 5 bag limit for travel to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America.
  • Maximum size (length + breadth + height): 62 inches or 157 cm.
  • Weight limit:
  1. economy: 50 pounds or 23 kilos
  2. 70 pounds or 32 kilogrammes for first/business

Items that are only allowed in Checked baggage:

  • Alcoholic beverages that are less than 70% by volume
  • Cutting equipment (knives, box cutters, straight razors, etc.)
  • E-cigarettes
  • Gas-powered equipment
  • Matches and lighters
  • Self-inflating life jackets
  • several tools and scissors

American Airlines Baggage Fees

The American Airlines baggage fee varies depending on the fare class, the destination, and the number of bags. If you’re simply flying domestically, you may expect paying $30 per checked bag each way, unless you have elite status or an American Airlines credit card that includes free checked baggage.

If you check additional baggage or go further internationally, the fee could be increased. For families travelling together, or for anyone who is carrying a lot with them, baggage fees can really add up.

Here are some examples of additional checked bag fees you can encounter:

  1. Extra Bag Fees: The cost of additional bags fluctuates. You can check your first extra bag for $30 to $75. A second bag can be checked for $40–100, although a third luggage will cost you $150–200. On some flights, fourth bags are allowed for a fee $200 one-way.
  1. Oversize bag Fees: For flights between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada as well as to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Guyana, Suriname, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Australia, and New Zealand, bags between 62 inches (158 cm) and 126 inches (320 cm) cost $200 extra for each way. On flights to South America (apart from Guyana and Suriname) and Europe, an oversize bag will cost $150 each way. Bags larger than 126 inches/320 cm are not allowed.
  1. Overweight Bag Fees: Between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, as well as on flights to Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, and Australia, bags weighing between 51 pounds (23 kg) and 70 lbs (32 kg) cost $100. Depending on your travel, additional heavier bags can be flown for $200 to 450 dollars.

How to Avoid American Airlines Baggage Fees?

If you are planning to travel with American airlines in future and looking for tips to avoid the baggage fee. Then, the following tips will help passengers avoid paying high American Airlines baggage fees:

  • Try to simply bring a carry-on bag when you pack your bags. Even for its most basic economy service classes, American Airlines does not charge extra for carry-on baggage.
  • Join a frequent flyer programme, activate one of the American AAdvantage or American Airlines credit cards. You may be able to check bags for no charge, especially if you hold elite status.
  • A good approach to avoid paying expensive American Airlines baggage fees is to limit the number of checked and carried bags, or compress your clothing to fit in a smaller space.