American Airlines 2021 Baggage Allowance
Flying with American Airlines? Find out everything you need to know about American Airlines baggage allowance, fees and restrictions.
American Airlines Carry-On Baggage
American Airline passengers are permitted to carry one piece of hand baggage onboard their flight and one personal item that must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. This would include a purse, a briefcase, a laptop bag or similar items such as a tote. Hand baggage must be no bigger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm including handles and wheels.
Please note: Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don’t count as your personal item or carry-on.
Customers flying Basic Economy are now allowed 1 free carry-on (in addition to a personal item) to all destinations. You can find out more here.
Need to purchase a suitable hand luggage case for your upcoming flight? We recommend this, available on Amazon, as they are approved by most airlines.
American Airlines Checked Baggage
On domestic, transatlantic and transpacific routes, passengers can check up to ten bags per person. Passengers can check up to 5 bags if they are travelling to, through or from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Brazil – however, it should be noted that there are seasonal and year-round baggage restrictions on these routes (please visit the American Airlines website for more information on these restrictions).
On domestic flights, Economy passengers may check one piece of baggage for $30. For a second piece the charge is $40, the third is $150 and any additional baggage is charged at $200.
On transatlantic flights, Economy passengers are permitted to check one piece of baggage at no charge. Should passengers need to book any additional checked baggage, there is a charge of $100 for the first additional piece and $200 for any additional pieces.
In some cases, you won’t have to pay the baggage fees for up to 3 bags if you are eligible.
Please visit the American Airlines website for more information on this.
For all regions, checked baggage must not exceed the total dimensions of 158cm, and must not exceed 23kg in weight. However, for First and Business Class customers, checked baggage must not exceed 32kg. Fees apply to oversize/overweight baggage.
American Airlines Excess Baggage
If your checked bag exceeds the weight allowance of 23kg or exceeds the total size restriction of 158cm, excess baggage charges will be applied depending on your route. It should be noted that these fees are non-refundable, applied per person and each way. For more detail on these charges, please visit the American Airlines website directly.
First and Business Class, Executive Platinum and Oneworld Emerald members can check baggage up to 32kg at no additional cost. However, please note American Airlines do not accept any checked baggage over 320cm in total dimensions, or over 45kg in total weight.
American Airlines Exceptional Baggage
Special restrictions, exceptions and charges can apply when you’re travelling with exceptional baggage such as sports equipment or a musical instrument. Restrictions and charges are variable according to the particular item and route travelled.
For example, if you are taking golf clubs with you, you can travel with 1 golf bag containing: golf clubs, golf balls, golf tees, 1 pair of golf shoes. You can’t travel with swingless golf club load strips. Standard checked bag fees of your destination apply up to 50 lb / 23 kg and 126 in / 320 cm (length + width + height) or $150 fee applies from 51 lb / 23 kg – 70 lb / 32 kg.
If you are travelling with a small musical instrument, this can be your carry on item on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as it fits in the overhead bin or fits under the seat in front of you. If they are too large to be carried in the cabin, they can be checked into your hold luggage. The maximum size is 381cm with a maximum weight of 75kg.
My Baggage – Airline Baggage Alternative
Carrying baggage with you on your American Airlines flight is an easy option if you are travelling with a small amount of luggage. However, if you need to bring excess baggage on your American Airlines flight, you will find that the excess baggage charges can be extremely expensive and substantially increase the cost of your overall journey.
A luggage shipping service such as My Baggage provides a great, low-cost alternative to international airline baggage fees. With a full door-to-door service, there’ll be no heavy luggage to carry and no waiting at luggage carousels – one less thing to worry about!
My Baggage allows you to ship a massive 30kg suitcase or boxes at fantastic low rates. You can get a free instant quote online to see exactly how cost-effective our service can be. You’ll also have the option to pay extra for even heavier bags, if you need to, you can add as many items as you like to your booking. Shipping your luggage ahead allows you to bring more with you than if you were simply relying on a few pieces of checked baggage.
Simply book online and My Baggage will collect your luggage and deliver it quickly and safely to where it needs to go. As well as providing a reliable door to door service, My Baggage offers luggage tracking, SMS and email notifications along the way. We ship to over 200 countries worldwide, across over 1000 routes. What are you waiting for?
If you are moving country we have some great moving guides to help you each step of the way, some of our most popular guides are:
You can see all our moving guides here.
Learn more:
Luggage Shipping to America
Airline Baggage Information
Flybe Baggage Information
Easyjet Baggage Allowance
Ryanair Baggage Allowance
Aer Lingus Baggage Allowance
Information obtained from sources below, valid as of 09/12/2019
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/checked-baggage.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/carry-on-baggage.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/specialty-sports.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/oversize-overweight.jsp
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