2025 American Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Sizes, Limit

If there is any information that travelers most commonly neglect regarding their flight travel, it is to learn about the baggage guidelines of the airline they choose to fly with. If you are traveling with American Airlines, being a smart and responsible flyer, it would be best not to skip reading about the American Airlines Baggage Policy. However, most flyers skip reviewing these policies because they find it quite a lengthy and challenging process. This article simplifies this procedure, providing a brief view of the concerned airline's baggage policy, including checked luggage, carry-on bags, and a lot more.

What is American Airlines Baggage Policy?

Learning about an airline's baggage policy is crucial for ensuring hassle-free baggage conveyance when traveling with it. These guidelines describe the eligibility criteria for whether your luggage will be allowed by the concerned airline. Going through the American Airlines baggage policy is quite time-consuming and troublesome. Below is a simplified and summarized view of the airline's baggage policy, discussing all the crucial elements, such as weight and size restrictions, baggage types, etc. 

American Airlines baggage policy carry-on

Travelers generally neglect to review the airline's carry-on baggage policy, thinking it is not crucial because it is not their primary luggage. However, being a responsible flyer, you must not ignore the carry-on luggage guidelines because these bags are allowed to inside the cabin throughout the flight journey inside the cabin. The sections below discuss the vital components of American Airlines' carry-on baggage guidelines, such as weight and size restrictions, personal item allowances, and much more:

Carry-On Size and Weight Limits

Passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on bag. The total size of the carry-on bag, including handles and wheels, should not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm). This bag should fit comfortably in the sizer at the airport. The weight allowance of the carry-on bags ranges from 7-10 kg, including the items in them. For further information and assistance, please get in touch with the concerned airline's technical team.

Personal Item 

In addition to the carry-on luggage, you can also bring one personal item, with measurements not exceeding 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Personal items include purses or small handbags.

Prohibited Items and Restrictions

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrict carrying certain items onboard to ensure the safety of the passengers and prevent inflight danger. These objects include batteries, cutting instruments, defense sprays, explosives, and alcoholic beverages over 70% by volume. Please visit the American Airlines website for detailed information about the restricted items.

American Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

Once you have learned about the carry-on baggage guidelines of the concerned airline, the next step is to acquire information about their checked luggage policy. Read ahead to uncover all the valuable elements of American Airlines' checked baggage guidelines, discussing factors such as weight and size limitations, baggage allowance for each service class, etc. Please visit the concerned airline's official website for detailed information about their guidelines.

Baggage Allowances for Each Class

American Airlines allows passengers to bring checked baggage depending on their membership status and the flight's destination. Another crucial factor that decides the luggage allowance is the cabin class selected for the flight travel. Here is the baggage allowance for the concerned airline, depending on the flight class chosen. 

CLASS	ALLOWED Checked BAGS
Main Cabin	2 Checked Baggage
Premium Economy	2 Checked Baggage
Business Class	2 Checked Baggage
Domestic First	2 Checked Baggage
Flagship First	2 Checked Baggage

Checked Baggage Dimensions and Weight

vary depending on the destination of your flight and the cabin class selected. For all regions except Australia and New Zealand, your checked luggage should not weigh over 23 kg (50 lbs) with a total linear dimension of 62 inches (158 cm). The weight limit is up to 70 lbs (32 kg) for free bags and 50 lbs (32 kg) for excess charged bags for first and business class. 

Checked Baggage Fees

The checked baggage fee varies from passenger to passenger and is also influenced by multiple factors, such as the destination you are flying to, the type and number of luggage, and many others. The average American Airlines checked baggage fee ranges from $40 to $200. Please visit the concerned airline's official website to fetch their precise baggage charge rates.

American Airlines Excess and Overweight Baggage Fees

There can be instances when you are not able to accommodate all your items in the prescribed baggage allowance by the concerned airline; therefore, you are required to carry more bags or extra weight than the mentioned limit. You can bring extra weight and oversized bags onto the American Airlines flight; however, you are required to pay a considerable amount for the excess luggage. Refer to the sections below to know the extra luggage fee structure of the concerned airline:

Excess Baggage Fees

Passengers are allowed to bring a particular number of bags depending on their membership status and the cabin class selected. However, if you bring more than the prescribed limit, you are required to pay the excess baggage fee. Generally, American Airlines excess baggage charges vary from $100 to $200 depending on the mentioned factors and the destination you are flying to.

Overweight Baggage Fees

The overweight baggage fee is $30 for bags weighing over 50 lbs (23 kg) and 53 lbs (24 kg). The excess baggage charge for bags weighing more than 53 lbs (23 kg) and 70 lbs (32 kg) is $100 to $200. Please note that bags weighing over 100 lbs or 45 kg are not accepted by the airlines, except for some destinations, at a charge of $200 to $450. The overweight baggage fee also varies depending on the destination you are flying to.

Oversized Baggage Fees

How much you will have to pay for your oversized baggage fees depends on the region you are flying to and the size limitation you are exceeding. Generally, the American Airlines oversized baggage fee is $30 for bags exceeding linear 62 inches (158 cm) and 65 inches (165 cm). For bags over the total dimensions of 65 inches (165 cm) and 115 inches (292 cm), the concerned airline charges an extra fee of $150 to $200.

Tips for Avoiding Baggage Fees on American Airlines

Most passengers aim to make their flight travel as affordable as possible; therefore, they try to cut the potential expenses. This is why flyers often wonder about the ways to avoid baggage fees when traveling with American Airlines. Below are some methods you can use to avoid the baggage charges of the concerned airline. Please review the mentioned techniques individually and choose the ones that suit you the most.

• Airlines Membership: If you are a subscribed member of the concerned airline's frequent flyer program, you receive many benefits, including complimentary services and allowances. Being an AAdvantage Program member may allow you to avoid the baggage fee and get additional services, such as extra baggage allowance, carrying excess weight, etc.
• Premium Cabin Class: Most travelers think buying a premium cabin class ticket wastes money. If you think so, you are highly mistaken because it offers multiple benefits, making your flight travel much more affordable and convenient. The concerned airline may enable you to eliminate the baggage charges if you buy their premium class tickets, such as Business Class and First Class.
• Use Better Payment Modes: Instead of using cash, it would be best to use smarter payment modes, such as credit cards or award miles. These payment methods offer multiple benefits, including complimentary baggage allowance. The allowance will vary depending on the type of credit card used, credit score, membership status, and other factors.
• Access Deals and Discounts: Another excellent method to avoid luggage charges is to access the deals. The concerned airline often launches discounts and offers, offering multiple advantages and allowances, including extra baggage allowance or avoiding baggage fees. You are advised to purchase a subscription to their newsletter so you do not miss any updates about their deals.

American Airlines Baggage Policy (FAQs)

How many bags can I take on American Airlines for free?

American Airlines allows you to take one carry-on bag and one personal item on its international flights without paying any charges. If you are flying on a domestic US flight, checked baggage is generally not included in the standard fare for Economy Class.  

How much is an overweight bag on American Airlines?

The cost of an overweight bag on American Airlines is around $100 to $200, depending on the weight, destination, and whether you are traveling to or from Australia or New Zealand. 

How much does American Airlines charge for extra baggage?

American Airlines charges fees for each extra checked bag. If flying from domestic flights, the first additional bag is usually $40, and the second additional bag costs around $40 to $60.

How much can luggage weigh on American Airlines?

American Airlines allows a maximum weight of 50 pounds per bag for standard checked luggage. Depending on the fare type, cabin class, and route, this weight is subject to an overweight fee. 

What is the weight limit for American Airlines checked bags?

American Airlines enforces a weight limit of 23 kg for checked bags. But if your bag exceeds this weight limit, you have to pay the additional charges that apply, and you may be asked to repack or pay an overweight fee.

How much to pay for checked baggage on American Airlines?

Typically, when traveling with the first checked bag for domestic flights, pay the costs around $30, and the fee for subsequent bags increases. For international flights, fees vary based on the destination on American Airlines.

Can I Buy extra baggage on American Airlines?

Yes, you can buy extra baggage on American Airlines when booking your flight. You can also do this via Manage Booking, check-in for your flight, or pay extra charges at the airport.  

Conclusion

Are you among those flyers who face issues with baggage conveyance when traveling with American Airlines? If so, this will not be a problem once you go through the above sections. You will find all the valuable details regarding the airline's baggage guidelines in the above passage, such as the checked luggage and carry-on baggage allowance, excess baggage fee, and much more. Furthermore, you will find tips to avoid baggage fees when traveling with their flights. All these details will enable you to save as much money as possible on luggage transportation and ensure hassle-free conveyance.