Here's what you need to know about the American Airlines baggage policy, including American Airlines baggage weight limits and carry-on guidelines.
American Airlines charges checked baggage fees on many flights, but the total price you'll pay depends on many factors, including destination, elite status or whether you carry one of the American Airlines credit cards.
If you're flying with American soon, it's worth studying up to ensure you're not faced with unexpected charges — or, worse, unable to check your luggage at all.
This guide will cover all the information you need to know about American's baggage policy and how you might be able to save money by not paying any fees at all.
All passengers are entitled to bring a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item onto every flight, even customers who booked an American Airlines basic economy fare.
According to American, a personal item should be no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches and should fit under the seat in front of a passenger. Examples of personal items are backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags and approved pet carriers.
The maximum size of a carry-on bag allowed on an American Airlines flight is 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. All carry-on luggage must fit in the sizers available at the airport and/or in the overhead bin or under your seat.
Soft-sided garment bags, up to 51 inches, are also allowed as carry-on items.
Related: How to change or cancel an American Airlines flight
If you're flying on a domestic, transatlantic or transpacific American Airlines-operated flight, you can check up to 10 bags (with fees attached, explained below).
Those traveling through Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America can check up to five bags, though possibly with some seasonal or route restrictions.
Overall, American Airlines' checked bag fees vary according to several factors, which include:
For domestic flights (including to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti), Central America (except Panama) and Guyana, American Airlines charges the following checked bag fees:
Checked bag fees may vary depending on when you purchased your ticket.
American Airlines' checked baggage fees also vary on longer international flights, although many tickets include at least one free checked bag.
For transatlantic flights, American Airlines charges the following checked bag fees:
For transpacific flights, passengers in both main cabin and basic economy receive their first checked bag for free. A second bag costs $100, while third and additional bags cost $200 each.
For flights to and from South America (except Guyana and Venezuela), baggage fees are as follows:
In addition to baggage fees, American Airlines charges a fee for large bags. If your checked bag exceeds the carrier's standard weight limit of 50 pounds or size limit of 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height), you may have to pay additional fees.
Note: If a bag is both overweight and oversized, American charges only the higher of the two applicable fees (in addition to any standard checked bag fee).
On an American flight, you cannot check a bag that measures more than 115 linear inches or weighs more than 100 pounds. Some destinations have stricter weight restrictions, and fees vary by route. See the cost breakdown in more detail on the airline website.
Skis, snowboards and many other items can count as checked bags as long as they meet the overall size and weight requirements. American Airlines maintains an extensive list of items that you can check.
For the most part, there are no additional fees beyond standard checked-bag fees, though overweight charges may apply. However, scuba tanks and windsurfing equipment incur separate fees regardless of any free checked bag allowances.
For scuba tanks, the fee is $150 for equipment weighing up to 70 pounds. For windsurfing equipment, you'll pay $150 for every two pieces weighing up to 70 pounds.
American does not accept javelins, vaulting poles, or hang gliders as checked items.
The maximum size for sports equipment is generally 115 linear inches (length plus width plus height), with a maximum weight of 100 pounds.
For travel from Spain's Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), the maximum length of any side of a checked item cannot exceed 43 inches.
Thankfully, there are several options if you want to avoid paying American's checked baggage fees.
Certain Citi / AAdvantage credit cards offer a free first checked bag on eligible domestic American Airlines-operated flights.
The premium Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) provides a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers the same baggage benefit.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four traveling companions on the same reservation. The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers the same baggage benefit to the primary cardholder.
Keep in mind that free checked-bag allowances from credit cards and elite status cannot be combined. For example, an AAdvantage Platinum member who also holds the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card is entitled to two free checked bags, not three.
Related: These credit cards can get you free checked bags
All four elite status tiers in American Airlines' AAdvantage program offer checked bag benefits. Up to eight passengers traveling with the elite-status member on the same reservation also receive the same perk.
Additional checked bags are charged at the applicable rate for each bag, rather than starting with the first-bag fee.
For example, if you have AAdvantage Gold status and are flying domestically within the U.S., you'd pay $55 online or $60 at the airport to check a second bag, rather than the $45 or $50 first-bag fee for main cabin passengers.
Related: What is American Airlines' elite status worth?
Passengers flying on premium fares receive an increased baggage allowance.
Domestic first-class customers, business-class flyers and premium economy flyers can each check two bags for free.
Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus customers can check up to three bags for free.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points