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From what's included to how much it will cost to pack extra, here's what to know before you go.
Alex Schechter is a Los Angeles-based journalist who covers travel, food, and dining. His work has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, and Afar, among others.
Updated on August 12, 2024
Every airline has its own rules about baggage fees, but if you're traveling with American Airlines, things are pretty straightforward: If you must check a bag, keep it below 50 pounds to avoid a penalty charge on top of the usual baggage fees listed below. Looking to skip the fees altogether? You'll need to gain elite loyalty status or pack very, very light — if you're flying in basic economy or economy class, you'll be able to bring a carry-on and a small personal item with you for free. Read on for a complete breakdown of American Airlines' baggage policy.
On American Airlines, customers seated in economy are allowed one free carry-on and personal item. For flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, travelers will pay $40 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second. Fees and restrictions increase beyond your first and second checked bags.
If you check in for your flight online and pay your bag fees then instead of at the airport, you'll receive a $5 discount on your first checked bag across all domestic flights, including to non-contiguous destinations like Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Travelers headed to certain international destinations, including all transatlantic itineraries, receive one free checked bag.
If you're traveling within the U.S., the baggage allowances and fees are the same as those for economy class. But for some destinations, it's a different story if you're flying in a basic economy seat.
Most domestic destinations will cost $35 to $40 for your first checked bag, with prices increasing for each additional bag. Passengers to Cuba will pay a one-way $30 fee. Prepare to pay $75 for your first checked bag on most transatlantic flights and $60 when you head from the U.S. to anywhere in South America.
Generally, we'd recommend that if you plan to check more than one bag, you consider springing for a more premium ticket class that may offset the cost — and deliver a more enjoyable in-flight experience. In certain cases, the reduced fare of the basic economy ticket may be greater than the baggage fee itself, so use your best judgment when deciding how many bags to haul.
| AA Baggage Fees for Economy and Basic Economy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on (plus a personal item) | Checked bag #1 (for both classes, unless indicated otherwise) | Checked bag #2 (for both classes) | |
| Flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I., and Canada. | Free | $40 ($35 if fee is paid online) | $45 |
| Most flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, parts of Central and South America (except Panama, Cuba, and Haiti) | Free | $35 | $45 |
| Most flights between Panama and the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I., Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti) | Free | Free ($45 for basic economy) | $100 |
| Flights to Cuba | Free | Free ($30 for basic economy) | $150–200 |
| Flights from Cuba | Free | Free | Free |
| Most flights to Haiti | Free | Free ($35 for basic economy) | $65 |
| Most flights to Israel and Qatar | Free | Free ($75 for basic economy) | $100 |
| Flights across the Atlantic | Free | Free ($75 for basic economy) | $100 |
| Flights across the Pacific | Free | Free ($75 for basic economy) | $100 |
According to AA's carry-on policy, every passenger in every class is entitled to one carry-on bag, measuring 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and one personal item, like a purse or a small backpack, measuring 18 x 14 x 8 inches. A musical instrument is considered to be a carry-on item as long as it fits under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. Soft garment bags measuring up to 51 inches in total can also be counted as a carry-on item. Pet carriers are considered carry-ons, and additional fees apply to place them under your seat — but never in the overhead compartment.
Diaper bags (one per child), strollers, child safety seats (car seats), breast pumps, medical and mobility devices, and small soft-sided coolers holding breast milk are all allowed, and will not count toward your carry-on limit. If you're traveling carry-on only, remember to pay close attention to TSA rules regarding liquids, which limit what you pack to small containers of 3.4 ounces or less that can be packed into one quart-size resealable bag.
According to the carrier's checked baggage policy, you're allowed to take up to 10 checked bags with you on domestic, transatlantic, and transpacific flights, though three or more bags mean you'll need to pay for excess baggage. You cannot exceed more than two bags on a flight bound for Cuba.
You can take up to five checked bags on flights operated by American Airlines to and from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, but seasonal and year-round baggage restrictions vary, so check first. That said, bringing along a large number of bags can significantly hike the cost of your trip since prices increase exponentially for each additional checked bag.
If you buy or receive an upgrade, you will not be refunded for any baggage purchases made previously. Passengers who wish to contest a baggage claim or incorrect charge have 45 days to file a claim with support.
To avoid fees, the golden rule for economy and basic economy passengers on American Airlines is to keep your checked bag under 50 pounds and within the total linear dimensions of 62 inches. In other words, your bag's overall measurements must be smaller than 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 20 inches high. American Airlines won't accept anything weighing over 100 pounds on any of its flights.
Those with elite airline status can check up to three bags weighing up to 70 pounds each for free, while those traveling in business class or in first class on domestic flights are allowed to bring two bags at this weight.
Planning to bring a third or fourth bag? On a domestic flight, your third will cost you $150 and your fourth will cost you $200. On international flights, you're likely to pay $200 for each. Additional bags will cost you $200 apiece no matter where you're flying.
In 2024, American Airlines introduced a rule for overweight and oversize baggage that may relieve economy or basic economy passengers who are off by a few pounds or inches. If your bag is overweight by up to three pounds (53 pounds total) or oversize by three inches (65 inches total), your penalty will be $30 rather than the previous minimum of $100 (or $200, if you're flying to Cuba).
If your bag weighs between 54 and 70 pounds, you're looking at fees of $100 to $200. If it's over 70 pounds, your fee will be $200 at minimum, costing you $450 on flights to Asia (namely Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Japan), India, and New Zealand. It won't even be accepted on some flights, including to Cuba, Europe, Israel, Qatar, or Australia.
Passengers with both overweight and oversize bags will pay the checked bag fee in addition to whichever penalty amount is higher.
Certain customers may qualify for free checked bags, including members of AA's loyalty program with elite status, active-duty military personnel with ID, first and business class customers, and passengers bound for specific destinations (see chart above). Using American Airlines co-branded credit cards will also waive the fee for your first checked bag.
Of course the best way to avoid having to pay baggage fees is to master the art of packing light and stick to traveling carry-on only (plus your personal item). Try to pack your outfits by folding them professional-style, then rolling and placing them into compression packing cubes to give you the most space without causing too many wrinkles. Store your socks in your shoes. Try to wear your heaviest items, like jeans and sneakers, so you can carry all your lighter items in your bag. Before your next trip, check out these Travel + Leisure stories for more expert packing tips.
