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 transpacific and transatlantic routes, your first checked bag is included, providing you haven’t booked a Basic Economy fare.
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.
AA Carry-On Allowance
1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on: FREE
Size Restrictions
- Personal: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
- Standard: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
Passengers may also take a soft-sided garment bag in place of their carry-on that can measure up to 51 inches (130 cm). Bags that require gate-checking may incur a fee.
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- 1 diaper bag per child is permitted in addition to the adult’s carry-on allowance
Stroller Check Policy
- Each customer is allowed 1 stroller and/or 1 car seat to be checked free of charge (only 1 item can be checked at the gate)
- Strollers over 20 pounds (9 kg) must be checked at the ticket counter
AA Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy and 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and first class fares. The only exclusion is economy and premium economy passengers flying to Australia or New Zealand, where a single checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kg). Checked bags must adhere to maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).
Seasonal Baggage Restrictions
- Main Cabin: Free or for purchase as per the table below
- Premium Economy: 2 bags included (including passengers traveling to Alaska or Hawaii with tickets booked on or after February 23, 2021); 3+ for purchase as per the table below
- Business: 2 bags included; 3+ for purchase as per the table below
- First: 2 to 3 bags included**; 3+ for purchase as per the table below
**The fee for a third bag is charged on a 2-cabin aircraft; there is no charge for the third bag on a 3-cabin aircraft
Economy Checked Baggage Fees:
| Route | First Bag | Second Bag | Third Bag | 4+ Bags |
U.S. Domestic
(up to 10 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
Mexico
(up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
| Haiti | $30 | $65 | $150 | $200 |
Cuba
(only 2 bags permitted at present due to COVID-19) | $0/$30*** | $0/$65 | $150 | $200 |
Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti)
(up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40 | $150 | $200 |
Central America
(up to 5 bags) | $30 | $40/$65** | $150 | $200 |
| Guyana and Suriname | $30 | $40 | $200 | $200 |
South America (Guyana, and Suriname)
(up to 5 bags) | $0/$45 | $65 | $150 | $200 |
Transatlantic
(up to 10 bags) | $0/$75 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
Transpacific
(up to 10 bags) | $0 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
**For travel to/from Honduras, a $55 fee applies seasonally for the second bag.
***First and second bags are free when departing Cuba for the U.S. or Canada. When departing the U.S. or Canada for Cuba, baggage fees apply.
Additional/Excess Baggage Fees (Per One-Way)
Overweight Fee 51 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg): $100
Overweight Fee 71 to 100 pounds (32 to 45 kg): $200* (not accepted to/from Europe or to/from Cuba)
*Flights to/from China, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong will cost $450. Additionally, baggage over 71 pounds is not permitted on transatlantic flights or flights to/from Australia.
Oversized Fees
| Region | Larger Than 62 Inches (158 cm) |
| Between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada | $200 |
| Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America (except Panama)* | $200 |
| South America and Panama | $150 |
| Europe (transatlantic) | $150 |
| China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia (transpacific) | $200 |
*Seasonal and/or year-round checked bag limitations apply to some cities in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
More than 1 fee may apply per bag — for example, the checked bag fee + oversize fee + overweight fee.
Excess Baggage Seasonal Restrictions
Seasonally, only 2 bags are permitted for select cities in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. You can view the applicable cities with seasonal limitations.
Excess Baggage Year-Round Restrictions
Only 2 bags are permitted for select cities in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. You can view the applicable cities with year-round limitations.
Sporting Equipment and Musical Instruments
Hot Tip: American Airlines accepts oversized sporting equipment and musical instruments within the checked luggage allowance, provided the item weighs less than 50 pounds and does not exceed 126 linear inches. This includes equipment such as skis/snowboards and surfboards that can now be checked as the first bag from $0 to $75 (fee is route dependent).
Oversized items such as hang gliders, windsurfing equipment, or scuba tanks will still incur the $150 fee due to their specific handling requirements. You can find more information on specific items.
Can I Prepay for Baggage?
American Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app for selected domestic and Caribbean flights. This can be done when you check-in and up to 4 hours before departure.
Here are the ways to prepay:
- Check-in for your booking on the American Airlines website and add up to 3 bags
- Check-in for your booking on the American Airlines mobile app and add up to 3 bags
When logging in, if the option is not available to add baggage then this must be done at the airport check-in desk.
Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With American Airlines
These Citi credit cards provide a free checked bag on your domestic flights with American Airlines. Friends and family can even receive a free checked bag when on your itinerary.
Check out the details of each card’s checked bag benefit below:
Exclusions and Waivers
Hot Tip: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elites will enjoy baggage benefits when flying on American Airlines starting in summer 2021.
First checked bag is complimentary for:
- Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® and Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines-operated flights)
- AAdvantage Gold
- Oneworld Ruby
- MVP
First and second checked bags are complimentary for:
First, second, and third checked bags are complimentary for:
*Executive Platinum and Oneworld Emerald members traveling in first on 3-cabin aircraft may check a fourth bag at no charge.
Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders: first through fifth bags free of charge
Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel: first through third bags free of charge
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
Featured Image Credit:
Shutterstock and American Airlines
