American Airlines Baggage Policy – Fee & Allowance. American Airlines baggage fees are pretty consistent with the average when it comes to larger U.S.-based carriers.
If you’re flying economy, you’ll pay for all checked baggage on domestic flights and routes to/from Canada and Mexico (excluding some status and credit cardholders).
For most international routes, your first checked bag (or 2) is included.
Where you’ll want to be careful is in the excess department of American Airlines’ baggage policy — if your luggage is both overweight and oversize, American will charge you fees for both.
What is American Airlines’ (AA) baggage policy?
The American Airlines (AA) baggage policy for regular basic fares include the following:
- Carry-on baggage.
- 1 personal item – Fee free
- 1 carry-on item – Fee free
- Checked baggage / Hold luggage – Applicable fees per bag increase with number checked.
- Overweight and Oversize bags – Applicable fees per bag depending on weight and size categories.
- Sports equipment – Certain items might have applicable fees.
What is American Airlines’ (AA) carry-on baggage policy?
American Airlines (AA) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free.
Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions:
- 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels.
- Fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
- Personal item should be of proper size to fit under the seat in front of you
- A jacket, umbrella, diaper bag, duty free items, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraint seats, etc.) do not count towards your carry-on allowance.
NOTE: Bulkhead seats do not have under seat storage, therefore, all carry-on baggage must be stowed in the overhead bin during take-off and landing.
What is American Airlines’ (AA) checked baggage / hold luggage policy?
American Airlines’ (AA) standard checked baggage / hold luggage policy details follow:
- 2 bags standard, up to 10 bags maximum for U S domestic, Transatlantic, and Transpacific, up to 5 bags maximum if your travel includes the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America.
- Maximum dimensions: 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height).
- Maximum weight:
- Economy – 50 pounds or 23 kilograms
- First/Business – 70 pounds or 32 kilograms
Are there fees for baggage on American Airlines (AA)?
Yes, fees might apply.
They are determined by the type of fare you purchased, your destination, if you are an active U S military personnel and/or dependent, if you have status with American Airlines’ (AA) frequent flyer program, status with an affiliated carrier, or if you have an American Airlines (AA) sponsored credit/charge card.:
American Airlines’ (AA) standard checked baggage / hold luggage fees follow:
| Route | First Bag | Second Bag | Third Bag | Fourth+ Bags |
| U.S. Domestic (up to 10 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Mexico (up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Haiti | $0 | $70 | $150 | $200 |
| Cuba | $0/$30 | $0/$40 | $150 | $200 |
| Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti) (up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Central America (except Panama) (up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40/$55** | $150 | $200 |
| Panama | $0/$30* | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana)(up to 5 bags) | $45 | $65 | $150 | $200*** |
| Colombia | $0/$30* | $55 | $150 | $200 |
| Ecuador | $0/$30* | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Guyana | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Transatlantic (up to 10 bags) | $0/$75**** | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| Transpacific (up to 10 bags) | $0 | $0 |
*Free bag excludes Basic Economy. For travel to/from Panama, Colombia, or Ecuador, a $30 first bag fee applies.
**For travel to/from Honduras, a $55 second bag fee applies seasonally.
***For travel to/from Brazil, a $200 fourth and fifth bag fee applies for tickets issued on or after November 5, 2019, and a $150 fourth and fifth bag fee applies for tickets issued on or before November 4, 2019.
****$75 first bag fee applies to transatlantic basic economy tickets purchased after April 20, 2020. Tickets purchased on or before April 20, 2020, will pay $60 for the first bag fee.
What is American Airlines’ (AA) fee for excess baggage?
American Airlines (AA) excess checked baggage / hold luggage fees follow:
- US domestic (including Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands):
- Third bag: $150.00 USD
- Fourth bag +: $200.00 USD per bag
- Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico:
- Third bag: $150.00 USD
- Fourth bag +: $200.00 USD per bag
- South America
- Third bag: $150.00 USD
- Fourth bag +: $200.00 USD per bag
- Transatlantic:
- Third bag: $200.00 USD
- Fourth bag +: $200.00 USD per bag
- Transpacific:
- Third bag: $200.00 USD
- Fourth bag +: $200.00 USD per bag
What is American Airlines’ (AA) fee for overweight baggage?
American Airlines (AA) will charge the following for bags that are greater than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms:
- 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 32 kilograms: $100.00 USD extra per bag (waived for all First Class, Business Class, Advantage Executive Platinum, and oneworld Emerald passengers).
- 71 to 100 pounds or 33 to 46 kilograms: $200.00 USD extra per bag (not accepted to/from Cuba or on Transatlantic) and $450.00 USD extra on Transpacific (not accepted to/from Australia)).
- Bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted as checked baggage / hold luggage.
What is American Airlines’ (AA) fee for oversize baggage?
Please check aa.com for the most current baggage pricing.
American Airlines (AA) will charge the following fees for any bags between 62-125 inches or 158-320 centimeters:
- $200.00 USD – U S domestic, the Caribbean, Central America (except Panama), Mexico, and Transpacific
- $150.00 USD – Panama, South America, and Transatlantic.
Please note that there are year-round limitations on baggage when traveling to Bolivia, Paraguay and cities in Brazil.
Bags with overall dimensions that exceed 125 inches or 320 centimeters will not be accepted.
Are there fees for sports equipment on American Airlines (AA)?
Sports equipment such as skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, hockey, and lacrosse equipment will be accepted up to American Airlines’ (AA) size and weight limits and will count as one checked bag/hold bag.
Associated fees might be applied.
CPAP Devices:
Before you board, check in at the gate so an agent can: Test that you can operate the POC and respond to its alarm; Explain the phases of the flight when the POC will be operable; Check your supply of fully charged batteries to power the POC no less than 150% for the duration of the flight and ground connection time (including unanticipated delays).
Additionally, your POC must fit underneath the seat in front of you; You can’t sit in an emergency exit, bulkhead or any seat that blocks another passenger’s aisle access if you have a POC inflight; You may use your POC while moving about the cabin as long as the “fasten seatbelt” sign is not illuminated.
How many bags can you carry on American Airlines for free?
Flying American Airlines, you can take onboard 1 standard carry-on piece and 1 personal item.
Your standard carry-on must not exceed maximum dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches and your personal item must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
How much does American Airlines charge for baggage?
If you’re flying American Airlines within the U.S., to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America (excluding Panama), or Colombia then you will be charged $30 per way for your first checked bag.
If you’re flying transatlantic in basic economy then you will incur a $75 fee to add a checked bag.
Can I take a backpack and a carry-on American Airlines?
You can bring a backpack on board in addition to your carry-on item provided it adheres to the maximum size dimensions of a personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (i.e. a small backpack).
Alternatively, you could use your carry-on allowance for the backpack and bring a smaller personal item in addition.
Is there a weight limit to carry-on bags on American Airlines?
American Airlines does not state a weight limit for carry-on baggage.
Typically, you would need to be able to comfortably lift and store the bag without assistance and still adhere to the size restrictions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Do AAdvantage members get free checked bags?
1 piece of checked baggage is free for eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® and Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines-operated flights) and AAdvantage Gold members.
2 pieces of checked baggage are complimentary for AAdvantage Platinum Pro and AAdvantage Platinum members.
3 checked bags are free for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members.
Does American Airlines accept cash for baggage fees?
American Airlines accepts cash payments for baggage fees at some airport ticket centers.
You can check individual airports for cash acceptance on its website here.
You can also pay by credit or debit card, vouchers, or gift card.
What happens if your bag is over 50 pounds on American Airlines?
With American Airlines, if your bag is over the weight of the standard checked baggage allowance then you will incur a fee.
If your bag weighs 51 to 70 pounds then you will be charged $100 per way and for bags 71 to 100 pounds, there is a charge of $200 (excluding flights to/from China, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong which will cost $450).
Bags over 71 pounds will not be accepted on transatlantic flights or flights to/from Cuba and Australia.
Does American Airlines charge for ski bags?
American Airlines permits passengers to check sporting equipment and musical instruments within their standard baggage allowance, providing the bag does not exceed 50 pounds or 60 linear inches.
So if you’re traveling on a route where the first bag costs $30, then this is the fee you will pay to check your ski bag or other sports and musical equipment.