American Airlines Baggage Policy

American Airlines Baggage weight, size, and price restrictions vary on the basis of the type of your ticket and the cabin you are traveling in and also on your loyalty status with American Airlines Reservations. Complimentary bag allowance is given to certain cabins and in case of overweight and oversized bags, fees are charged by the Airlines. All the bag fees are non-refundable and if you apply for an upgrade, it includes free checked baggage. Also, the baggage fees apply per person at each check-in location.

You can carry 10 checked bags if your trip is domestic, transatlantic and transpacific and you can carry up to 5 bags if you are traveling to/from/through Brazil, South America, Mexico/Central American/ Caribbean. The checked bag allowance on the basis of the class of cabins are:-

Checked Bags:-

First: 3 complimentary bags

Business: 2 complimentary bags

Premium Economy: 2 complimentary bags

Main Cabin: 2 bags(charges may apply)

Also, complimentary bags allowed on the basis of memberships are:-

1st checked bag is complimentary for:

AAdvantage Gold

OneWorld Ruby

Confirmed Business and Premium Economy customers

Eligible AAdvantage Aviator/Citi/AAdvantage Cardmembers

1st and 2nd checked bag is complimentary for:

AAdvantage Platinum Pro

OneWorld Saphire Member

Confirmed Business and Premium Economy customers

AAdvantage Platinum

1st, 2nd, and 3rd bags are complimentary for:

AAdvantage Executive Platinum

OneWorld Emerald

Active U.S. military on personal travel

Confirmed First Customer

Some necessary items can be carried by the passengers in the carry on baggage.

You are allowed to carry 1 personal item + 1 carry on.

The handbag or a purse must fit under the seat or in the overhead bin or else you must valet your bag before boarding which is free of cost.

You must label your carry-on as well.

Musical instruments are also considered to be a carry-on.

Child safety seats, strollers, diaper bags, and medical devices are not considered in the category of a carry-on.

Weight and dimensions of baggage is on the basis of the cabin you are traveling in.

Maximum weight:

1. Economy Class- 23 kilograms/50 pounds

2. Business Class- 32 kilograms/70 pounds

3. First Class- 32 kilograms/70 pounds

Maximum Dimensions:

1. 62 inches or 157 centimetres( length+width+height)

American Airlines Baggage Policy Fees

Particular fees may be levied on baggage which is based on the type of ticket and destination. The charges are as below:-

US domestic

1. First bag-$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

Mexico

1. First bag-$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

Haiti

1. First bag-$0

2. Second bag-$70

Cuba

1. First bag-$0/$30 USD

2. Second bag-$0/$40 USD

Caribbean

1. First bag-$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

Panama

1. First bag-$0/$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

Central America

1. First bag-$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40/$50 USD

Columbia

1. First Bag-$0/$30 USD

2. Second bag-$55 USD

Ecuador

1. First bag-$0/$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

Guyana

1. First bag-$30 USD

2. Second bag-$40 USD

South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana)

1. First bag-$0 /$45 USD

2. Second bag-$65 USD

Transatlantic

1. First bag-$0/$75 USD

2. Second bag-$100 USD

Transpacific

1. First bag-$0

2. Second bag-$0

The fee for oversized and overweight baggage vary according to your destination. This fee is non refundable, even if you cancel your flight and is levied per person. You may have to pay more than one fee as your bags may be overweight and oversized both.

The oversize baggage fees for checked bags between 62in/158cm-126in/320cm according to the destination are as follows:-

Mexico/Caribbean/Central America (except Panama)* - $200

South America and Panama-$150

Europe (transatlantic)-$150

China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia (transpacific)- $200

Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada-$200

For the weight between 51 lbs / 23 kgs - 70 lbs / 32 kgs the fee for the following destinations is $100:-

Mexico / Caribbean / Central and South America

Europe (transatlantic)

Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada

China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia (transpacific)

For the weight between 71 lbs / 32 kgs - 100 lbs / 45 kgs the fee varies according to the destination:-

Mexico / Caribbean / Central and South America-$200(Not accepted to/from Cuba)

Europe (transatlantic)- Not acceptable

Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada-$200

China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia (transpacific)-$450 (Not accepted to/from Australia)

How many bags can you carry on American Airlines for free?

American Airlines allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item for free. Personal items may include a purse,laptop bag or a briefcase. The carry-ons must fit the overhead bin or underneath the seat. Its size must be 45 inches/115 centimeters.

How to avoid baggage fees on American Airlines?

You can avoid baggage fees on American Airlines in the following ways:-

Purchase a premium ticket( First, Business or Premium Economy)

Hold elite status or travel with a family member or a friend holding elite status

Carry special credit cards that provide valuable benefits

Do you get a free checked bag with American Airlines?

If you are an AAdvantage Aviator, AAdvantage Gold members and Citi AAdvantage cardmembers your 1st piece of checked bag is free of cost. AAdvantage® Platinum Pro and AAdvantage® Platinum members get 2 pieces of checked bags complimentary.

Does American Airlines basic economy include a carry-on?

American Airlines basic economy does include 1 carry on which is free of cost+1 personal item for free. These two must fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat.