United States
Full service airline, Dallas/Fort Worth hub American Airlines baggage allowance
American counts pieces and charges for them on most domestic tickets. Each checked bag may weigh 23 kg in Economy and 32 kg up front, and the cabin bag must fit 56 x 36 x 23 cm.
| Allowance | Economy | Business and First |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on bagPlus one personal item under the seat | No weight limit56 x 36 x 23 cm | No weight limit56 x 36 x 23 cm |
| Checked bagMaximum weight per bag | 23 kgUp to 158 cm | 32 kgUp to 158 cm |
Cabin baggage
What you keep with you on board. The carry-on bag goes in the overhead bin, the personal item goes under the seat in front of you.
Carry-on bag
- Size
- 56 x 36 x 23 cm
- Weight
- No published weight limit; it must fit the overhead bin or under the seat
- Pieces
- One bag
Must fit in overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Personal item
- Size
- 45 x 35 x 20 cm
- Weight
- Not specified
- Examples
- Must fit completely under the seat in front of you.
Liquids: containers of 100 ml or less, all inside one transparent resealable 1 litre bag. Baby food, medication and sealed duty free purchases are exempt.
Power banks and batteries
Lithium batteries travel in the cabin, never in the hold. Since 2025 most carriers also ban using or charging a power bank during the flight.
| Item | Cabin | Checked | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power bank up to 100 WhAbout 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V | Allowed | Not allowed | One per passenger, under the seat, not in the overhead bin. Do not use or charge it on board. |
| Power bank 100 to 160 Wh | Approval needed | Not allowed | Maximum two, with airline approval before the flight. |
| Power bank over 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed | Cannot travel on American Airlines in any form. |
| Spare laptop and camera batteries | Allowed | Not allowed | Terminals taped or in original packaging, up to 100 Wh each. |
| Devices with built-in batteriesLaptops, phones, cameras, tablets | Allowed | Switched off | Better in the cabin. If checked, fully switched off and protected from accidental activation. |
| E-cigarettes and vapes | Allowed | Not allowed | Cabin only, never used on board. |
Checked baggage
American counts pieces and charges for them on most domestic tickets. Each bag has its own weight and size cap, and going over either one costs extra on top of the bag fee.
| Cabin | First bag | Second bag | Max weight per bag | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $30 (domestic), Varies (international) | $40 (domestic), Varies (international) | 23 kg | 158 cm |
| Business/First | Included | Included | 32 kg | 158 cm |
Economy: Additional bags: $150+ each
Business/First: Additional bags: $150+ each Allowances change by route, fare family and booking date, so confirm on the official American Airlines baggage page before you pack.
Excess baggage fees
What a checked bag costs when the fare does not include one. Prices are for travel within and between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
| Situation | What you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First checked bag | $45 online, $50 at the airport | Paying before you arrive saves $5 |
| Second checked bag | $55 online, $60 at the airport | Paying before you arrive saves $5 |
| Third bag and beyond | $200 each | The step up from the second bag is the one that catches people |
Basic Economy pays $5 more on the first and second bag. Each bag still has to stay within 23 kg and 158 cm, and going over costs again on top of the fee.
How the allowance plays out on a real booking. Fares, routes and AAdvantage status can move these numbers.
- Cabin
- One bag, 56 x 36 x 23 cm, plus a personal item
- Checked
- $45 online or $50 at the airport for the first bag, $55 or $60 for the second
- Third bag
- $200, so two heavy bags beat three light ones
- Basic Economy
- Pays $5 more on each of the first two bags
- Cabin
- One bag, 56 x 36 x 23 cm, plus a personal item
- Checked
- Free bags may weigh 32 kg, and any bag you pay for is capped at 23 kg
- Deadline
- Airport counters close 60 minutes before an international departure
- Boarding
- Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure and the doors close at 10
Before you pack
Six habits that keep you out of the excess baggage queue.
- Weigh bags at homeA luggage scale costs less than a single overweight bag fee, and it settles the argument at home rather than at the counter.
- Prepay extra weight onlineBuying through aa.com is 10 to 20 percent cheaper than paying at the counter.
- Wear the heavy itemsBoots, coats and jackets on your body do not count toward any limit.
- Use compression bagsVacuum bags cut clothing volume by up to 75 percent, which helps with the 158 cm size rule.
- Check your credit card perksSome premium cards include extra baggage or refund fees on selected airlines.
- Use your AAdvantage statusHigher tiers add extra weight or an extra bag on top of the fare allowance, see status extras.
AAdvantage status extras
AAdvantage status waives the checked bag fee rather than adding weight, because American counts pieces on every route.
| Tier | Weight concept routes | Piece concept routes | Also included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | None | None | Standard fare allowance |
| Gold | None | 1 free bag | Each bag still within 23 kg and 158 cm |
| Platinum | None | 2 free bags | Each bag still within 23 kg and 158 cm |
| Platinum Pro | None | 3 free bags | Overweight and oversize fees still apply |
| Executive Platinum | None | 3 free bags | Overweight and oversize fees still apply |
Example: a Platinum member checks two bags at no charge on a domestic itinerary that would otherwise be paid.
Sports equipment, instruments and infants
Special items travel with conditions. Every one of them needs advance reservation, and acceptance at the airport is not guaranteed without it.
| Item | Conditions | Fee estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Sports equipment | Up to 32 kg and 292 cm. Oversize fees do not apply; overweight fees start above 23 kg | Standard checked bag fees |
| Musical instruments | In the cabin if it fits the bin or under the seat, otherwise buy a seat for it. Checked up to 75 kg and 381 cm | Standard checked bag fees |
| Medical devices | Don't count toward carry-on allowance | Free |
Book special items online before travel. Airport prices are higher than the same allowance bought online, and hold space is first come, first served.
Check-in and bag drop deadlines
Counted back from scheduled departure. Miss the bag drop cut-off and the bag does not fly, even if you do.
- 24 hOnline check-in opensWeb or app
- 90 minOnline check-in closes on international45 minutes on domestic flights
- 60 minAirport check-in closes on international45 minutes on domestic flights
- 15 minBoarding endsDoors close at least 10 minutes before departure
If your bag does not arrive
Delayed and damaged bags follow a strict clock. Most claims fail because the report was made after leaving the airport.
Report before you leave the hall
Go to the American Airlines baggage services desk in the arrivals baggage hall. You get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a 10 character reference. Without it there is no claim.
Track with the PIR reference
Use the reference and your surname on the American Airlines baggage tracing page. Most delayed bags arrive within 48 hours and are delivered to your address free of charge.
Track a bagKeep receipts, mind the deadlines
Essentials bought while the bag is missing can be claimed. Damage must be reported within 7 days, delayed bag expenses within 21 days of delivery, under the Montreal Convention.
How American Airlines compares
Benchmark these limits against the rest of the industry before you decide which bag to bring.
Frequently asked questions
What does a checked bag cost on American?
Within and between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean the first bag is 45 dollars online or 50 at the airport, and the second 55 or 60. Basic Economy pays 5 dollars more on each.
Why does the third bag cost so much more?
Because the price steps from 60 dollars to 200. Every bag from the third onward costs 200 dollars, so two heavy bags are almost always cheaper than three light ones.
What are the carry-on limits on American?
One bag of up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm plus a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
How heavy can an American checked bag be?
A free bag in First or Business may weigh 32 kg. Everything else, including any bag you pay for, is capped at 23 kg and 158 cm of length plus width plus height.
Does AAdvantage status include free bags?
Yes. Gold carries one free checked bag, Platinum two, and Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum three each.
When does American check-in close?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before a domestic flight or 90 minutes before an international one. Airport counters close 45 and 60 minutes out, boarding ends 15 minutes before departure and the doors close at least 10 minutes before.
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