AA · RULES AS PUBLISHED, WITH DATES
American Airlines carry-on and checked bag rules
What American Airlines publishes for a cabin bag, a personal item and a checked bag, read from the airline's own pages. Each rule below carries the date it was last checked, and anything the airline does not state is shown as a gap rather than filled in.
Size and weight limits
Measurements are shown in the units the airline publishes. Where the airline counts handles and wheels, that is spelled out, because it is the difference between a bag that passes the sizer and one that does not.
| Item | Maximum size | Maximum weight | What the airline adds | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in) | no weight limit published | 22 x 14 x 9 inches including handles and wheels; must fit the airport sizer. A soft-sided garment bag is limited to 130 cm total (length + width + height). One carry-on plus one personal item per passenger. | source 2026-10-07 |
| Personal item | 45 × 35 × 20 cm (17.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in) | no weight limit published | 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Must fit under the seat in front of you. | source 2026-10-07 |
Checked bag fees
Prices depend on the fare you booked, the route and whether you pay online or at the airport, so the fare context stays attached to every figure.
| Fare context | First bag | Second bag | Weight per bag | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US / Canada / Mexico / Caribbean / Central America, Main Cabin | USD 45 online USD 50 at the airport |
USD 55 online USD 60 at the airport |
not verified yet | source 2026-10-07 |
| US / Canada / Mexico / Caribbean / Central America, Basic Economy | USD 50 online USD 55 at the airport |
USD 60 online USD 65 at the airport |
not verified yet | source 2026-10-07 |
If your bag does not fit
- Measure the bag, not the case. Include wheels, handles and anything strapped on.
- Compare against the smallest limit that applies to you. A bag that fits the overhead bin can still be too big for the space under the seat in front.
- Decide before the airport. A bag bought for the hold is cheapest online, and a bag refused at the gate is the most expensive version of the same bag.
Check your bag against American Airlines and every other airline we cover, or see what a checked bag costs across airlines.
What this page does not claim
- It is not the airline's rulebook. If American Airlines's own page disagrees with anything here, the airline is right and this page is out of date.
- It does not cover every fare family, route or loyalty tier American Airlines sells.
- It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any airline. The name is used only to identify whose published rules are being described.
Open the checker · Checked bag fees · How this site makes money