• 15 Dec, 2025
  • Travel tips

Flying with American Airlines guarantees a seamless flight experience. The airline offers a wide array of facilities, including baggage. The airlines understand that passengers fly with different purposes, hence might need a generous amount of baggage allowance, which American Airlines has taken good care of. However, before jumping straight in, you must have a clear idea of how much you need to pay for your bag, the limits for carry-on and checked bags, and other relevant details. For your assistance, we have prepared a comprehensive post that provides answers to your questions, aiding you with the baggage issue. 

How much is the bag fee for American Airlines? 

The fee for a bag on an American Airlines flight varies depending on several factors, including fare type, departure destination, arrival destination, and your membership status in their loyalty program. Moreover, for a domestic flight, you might have to pay between $ 40 and $ 200, and for an international flight, it might start from $ 75 and may increase. To extract the relevant information about American Airlines' baggage rules, follow the points outlined below. 

American Airlines Baggage Rules 

American Airlines allows two types of baggage on its flights: Carry-on and checked baggage. Both bags come with different weight limitations, which is essential to know before boarding the flight. If you are a newbie, follow the lines below: 

American Airlines Carry-on Baggage Rules

American Airlines' carry-on rules promote a smooth boarding process. Major carry-on baggage rules of American Airlines have been discussed in the following lines: 

  • You can bring one carry-on bag, and the size of the bag must be within 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36x 23 cm). The total size of the carry-on bag includes the handles and wheels of the luggage.
  • For the soft-sided garment bag, the size of the luggage should not exceed 51 inches (130 cm) in length, width, and height. 
  •  When travelling with your musical instrument as a carry-on, it should be a perfect fit in the overhead bin. In addition, you can also consider placing it under the seat in front of you. 
  • You can also purchase an additional seat for your musical instrument, if it does not fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. 
  • Along with your carry-on, you can also bring one personal item. The personal item includes a purse or small handbag, measuring 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), which must be suitable for fitting under the seat in front of you. 
  • Diaper bags, child safety seats, strollers, medical/mobility devices, breast pumps, and a small and soft-sided cooler of breast milk are not considered personal items on the flight.
  • A liquid of around 3.4 ounces (100 ml) can easily be carried as a carry-on. But the liquid must be packed and sealed correctly. 

American Airlines Checked Baggage Rules 

When flying with American Airlines, if you do not want to pay extra fees for your checked baggage, you must obtain this information from American Airlines beforehand. But, if you are unaware of it, you can find the American Airlines checked baggage rules in the following lines: 

  • For the domestic, trans-Atlantic, and trans-Pacific flights managed by American Airlines, you can check up to 10 bags. 
  • Check up to 5 bags on American Airlines flights travelling to/through/from Mexico/the Caribbean/ Central America, South America, and Brazil. 
  • For your first checked bag, the fee is approximately 40 USD, and for the second checked bag, the fee is approximately 45 USD. This applies to American Airlines flights travelling within/ between the USA, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as flights to/from Canada, Mexico, Central America (Excluding Panama), and the Caribbean (Excluding Cuba/Haiti). Moreover, the price for the first checked bag is approximately $ 35 when using the online payment process. 
  • The size of the checked bag must not exceed 62 in/ 158 cm, and the weight of the bag must be 50 lbs/ 23 Kg. The rule is applicable worldwide, except for flights to/from Australia or New Zealand. Be aware that the free weight limitation for First or Business Class is approximately 70 lbs/32 Kg, and you can bring an additional 50 lbs/23 kg in bags, subject to excess charges. 
  • For flights to/from Australia or New Zealand, the dimensions of the bag must be 62 in/158 cm, and the weight should not exceed 70 lbs/32 Kg if you do not want to pay additional fees. Moreover, for excess baggage, the weight is approximately 50 lbs (23 kg). 
  • Based on your AAdvantage membership level at the time you booked the flight, you may be eligible to carry up to three checked bags without paying any charges. 
  • You are allowed to carry up to two checked bags (per bag weighing 70 lbs/32 kg max) and one carry-on bag with an additional personal item.

Prohibited Items on the American Airlines Flight 

American Airlines does not allow everything to be carried on their flight as your safety is their topmost priority. Thus, you must get a heads-up about the items that you can not bring on the flight. The prominent prohibited items are indicated in the following lines: 

  • On the flights, the airlines do not permit bringing alcoholic beverages more than 70 % by volume. 
  • You can not travel with damaged batteries, boat, or aircraft batteries. 
  • Carrying metal knives, ice picks, straight razors, and box cutters is strictly denied as your carry-on bag. 
  • If your checked bag, you can not fetch vapour cigarettes or e-cigarettes. 
  • Explosives such as gunpowder, swingless golf club load strips, and flares or flare guns can not be carried. 
  • Regardless of the carry-on or the checked bag, you do not have the authority to bring CO2 cartridges, fuel, spray cans, or self-inflating rafts.

Conclusion 

To sum up, a small mistake while packing your luggage for the American Airlines flight might ruin your mood. Therefore, to escape from such a situation, gather information about the American Airlines baggage rules. You are suggested to pack your luggage considering the points mentioned earlier, assisting you with a memorable American Airlines flight. For further information, you can explore the American Airlines FAQs section.