Traveling on American Airlines provides you with various benefits, and one such benefit is carrying luggage as much as you want. Obviously, on air travel, you cannot pack whatever comes to your mind. Instead, you need to be selective and precise while packing your stuff. And if you are still confused about the allowances. With the help of American Airlines baggage allowance policy, you will unlock the potential to pack your items according to your needs without overlapping the policies.
American Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy
American Airlines has various policies in place for smooth processing of the system and one of them is the American Airlines baggage policy. Here we have discussed all the aspects of the policy that will help you understand what you can carry and how much.
Checked Baggage
Embarking on a journey with American Airlines means you can bring along all you need to make your trip memorable. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, understanding the checked baggage policy is key to a hassle-free airport experience.
- Checked Baggage Allowance: American Airlines offers a generous checked baggage policy. For domestic, transatlantic, and transpacific flights, you can carry American Airlines checked baggage of up to 10 bags. Travel to the following locations, including the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, or South America, passengers are entitled to carry up to 5 bags. With this, American Airlines covers you with every angle you can think of.
- American Airlines baggage size dimensions and Weight Limits: The standard size limit for checked baggage is a total of 62 inches (length + width + height), accommodating most standard-sized suitcases and bags. Economy passengers can check bags weighing up to 50 pounds, while First and Business class passengers may check bags up to 70 pounds. This means you can pack without worry, knowing that American Airlines allows you to bring what you need.
- Special Considerations: Traveling to Cuba? Each passenger can carry up to 2 bags, having a maximum weight of 70 lbs per bag on American Airlines. Seasonal exceptions apply, so it’s always best to check the latest information before your trip.
Carry-on Baggage
Now coming to the carry-on baggage, it is a necessary part of you, especially when you are travelling for a longer period. It’s not always convenient to spread open your baggage anywhere, and there are things that you need frequently during your travel. These things can easily fit in the carry-on baggage and can be accessed easily during need. So without delay, let’s check out the American Airlines baggage rules for carry-ons:
- No matter your class of travel, every passenger has an allowance of at least one personal item onboard. The personal item could be anything of these- a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. However, they must be within these stated dimensions, 18 x 14 x 8 inches, and should fit flawlessly under the seat in front of you. Some things like immediate gadgets and travel documents need to be accessed many times during the journey, so personal items might come in handy.
- Along with the personal items, you can also bring one carry-on item with you. This bag should be just the right size to fit in the overhead bin, with total dimensions not exceeding 22 x 14 x 9 inches. With carry-on bags, you can travel around carrying only the essentials, especially for a short trip.
- Do you have a delicate dress or a sharp suit? American Airlines hasn’t forgotten about your special attire. Soft-sided garment bags are also accepted as carry-on items, provided they don’t exceed 51 linear inches. And if music is your life, rest assured that your instrument can travel with you as long as it fits in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
- Flying on an American Eagle® plane? The overhead bin space might be limited, but that doesn’t mean your carry-on won’t make the trip. If it’s larger than the personal item dimensions, American Airlines offers a complimentary valet service at the gate. Your bag will be safely stowed away and returned to you as soon as you deplane.
- Let your puffy friends enjoy their fullest via American Airlines. American Airlines allows carry-on pets, with certain guidelines and restrictions to ensure a safe journey for all.
- Navigating TSA rules can be tricky, but American Airlines makes it simple. Duty-free liquids are welcome in your carry-on as long as they’re in a security tamper-evident bag. For other liquids and restricted items, it’s always best to check with the TSA to avoid any hiccups at security.
Oversize & Overweight Baggage
Sometimes, your travel essentials just can’t be confined to standard dimensions. American Airlines gets that. For those larger-than-life items, the airline accepts American Airlines check-in baggage with total dimensions (length + width + height) of up to 62 inches. And for those times when you have something even bigger, like that majestic painting you couldn’t resist on your last trip, bags measuring over 62 inches up to 126 inches are considered oversized. A fee will apply, but your treasured items won’t be left behind.
Packing light isn’t always an option, especially when you’re heading to a special event or moving across the country. American Airlines’ overweight baggage policy is here to lift that weight off your shoulders. Bags weighing more than the standard 50 pounds but less than 100 pounds are classified as overweight. While there is an additional fee for these heavier bags, it’s a small price to pay for the convenience of having everything you need upon arrival.
American Airlines Baggage Fees
American Airlines keeps the fees for checked bags transparent and affordable. You can easily avoid the long queue by paying the fees online. If you have questions like- How much does American Airlines charge for international baggage? Here, we have mentioned all the American Airlines baggage fee structures for all routes:
- Travel between the U.S. (including HI / AK), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands:
- First Checked Baggage- $40
- Second Checked Baggage- $45
- Third Checked Baggage- $150
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between Canada and Mexico:
- First Checked Baggage- $35
- Second Checked Baggage- $45
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between Haiti:
- First Checked Baggage- $0 / $35
- Second Checked Baggage- $65
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between the Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti):
- First Checked Baggage- $35
- Second Checked Baggage- $45
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between Central America (except Panama):
- First Checked Baggage- $35
- Second Checked Baggage- $45
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between Guyana and Suriname:
- First Checked Baggage- $35
- Second Checked Baggage- $45
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between Panama / Colombia / Ecuador / Peru:
- First Checked Baggage- $0 / $45
- Second Checked Baggage- $100
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel between South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname):
- First Checked Baggage- $0 / $60
- Second Checked Baggage- $100
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel on Transatlantic flights:
- First Checked Baggage- $0 / $75
- Second Checked Baggage- $100
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
- Travel on Transpacific flights:
- First Checked Baggage- $0 / $75
- Second Checked Baggage- $100
- Third Checked Baggage- $200
- Fourth Checked Baggage- $200
Fees for oversized baggage vary according to the routes, and if you are flying after 17th April 2024, here are the fees applicable to you:
| Region | Measuring over 62 in/158 cm – 65 in/165 cm | Measuring over 65 in/165 cm – 115 in / 292 cm |
| Between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada | $30 | $200 |
| Mexico/Caribbean/Central America (except Panama)/Guyana/Suriname | $30 | $200 |
| Panama/South America (except Guyana/Suriname) | $30 | $150 |
| Europe, Israel, Qatar | $30 | $150 |
| China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Australia and New Zealand | $30 | $200 |
If you are carrying an overweight bag, this will vary according to the route, and the rates mentioned below are for travel after 17th April 2024:
| Region | Bags weighing over 50 lbs/23 kgs – 53 lbs/24 kgs | Bags weighing over 53 lbs/24 kg – 70 lbs/32 kgs | Bags weighing over 70 lbs/32 kgs – 100 lbs/45 kgs |
| Between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada | $30 | $100 | $200 |
| Cuba | $30 | $200 | Not accepted |
| Mexico/Caribbean (excluding Cuba)/Central and South America | $30 | $100 | $200 |
| Europe, Israel, Qatar | $30 | $100 | Not accepted |
| China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand and Australia | $30 | $100 | $450 (Not accepted to/from Australia) |
Lost And Damaged Baggage Claim
American Airlines makes sure that you are not left stranded without your belongings. If your bags are delayed or cannot be found upon arrival, American Airlines has a system in place for you to file a report at the Baggage Service Office before leaving the airport. For domestic flights, you should report delayed bags within 4 hours, and for international flights, immediately upon arrival. If, unfortunately, your bags are damaged, you can file a report before leaving the airport or within 24 hours for domestic flights and 7 days for international flights.
Summary:
In this regard, American Airlines’ baggage allowance policy is used to help customers determine their allowances in terms of the number of bags and weights. Every passenger has to determine his or her own allowance according to the flight itinerary. About checked baggage, the fees are quite clear and are based on the destination. Oversized and over-weighted bags can also be carried for a small charge if you are willing to. Some problems still need expert attention. Our agents can be of great help to you, so contact us at the toll-free number given here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What is the American Airlines military baggage policy?
If you are a military personnel, depending on your destination, you can carry bags free of charge with an active U.S. military ID:
- For active U.S. military and/or dependents traveling on orders, you can carry up to 5 bags of 100 lbs each.
- For active U.S. military on personal/leisure travel, you can carry up to 3 bags 50 lbs each.
2) What is the compensation for a lost or damaged bag?
If your bag is lost or damaged, the airline’s liability to compensate you is limited to $3,800.
3) How many bags can I carry in Premium Economy?
If you are traveling on the premium economy, you can carry up to 2 checked baggage.
4) Can I bring boxes onboard?
No, American Airlines restricts passengers from bringing boxes onboard.