If you’re travelling with American Airlines on an upcoming flight, find out everything you need to know about American Airlines Baggage allowance, restrictions, fees and charges.
If you're travelling with American Airlines on an upcoming flight, here's everything you need to know about your baggage allowance and fees.
Your baggage allowance with American Airlines may differ depending on your route, ticket type, and class of service. While we aim to keep this information current, be advised that the airline may occasionally change its policies unexpectedly. Always check your booking confirmation and the American Airlines website before travelling for the most up-to-date information.
American Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. With a history spanning nearly a century, American Airlines operates an extensive network from major hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK and LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington Reagan.
The airline serves over 350 destinations across more than 50 countries, operating a modern fleet of over 900 aircraft. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, offering passengers seamless connections and benefits across partner airlines worldwide. The airline provides multiple cabin classes including Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class, each with varying levels of service and baggage allowances.

Here's everything you need to know about American Airline's baggage allowances, including hand baggage, checked baggage, and excess baggage. We endeavour to keep this information up to date; however, it may change at short notice and depends on several factors, so always check your booking confirmation from American Airlines.
Checked Baggage Allowance with American Airlines
The checked baggage allowance with American Airlines depends on your cabin class, route, and frequent flyer status. Each piece of checked baggage must not exceed specific weight and dimension limits, which vary by destination. No single piece can exceed 70 lbs (32 kg), regardless of your total baggage allowance.
Allowance by Route and Cabin Class
Economy (Basic Economy & Main Cabin) – U.S. Domestic, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands:
Checked Baggage Allowance with American Airlines
Hi Stephen,
The checked baggage allowance with American Airlines depends on your cabin class, route, and frequent flyer status. Updated baggage fees came into effect on 1 December 2025 for tickets issued on or after this date.
Standard Checked Baggage Dimensions and Weight
For All Regions (Except Australia/New Zealand):
American Airlines Oversized & Overweight Baggage
Maximum Accepted Limits
American Airlines Special Items Policy
American Airlines accepts a wide range of special items, including sports equipment, musical instruments, and other bulky items, Stephen. All special items must adhere to a maximum size of 115 inches / 292 cm and a maximum weight of 100 lbs / 45 kg, unless otherwise specified.
Sports Equipment
Bicycles
Purchasing Extra Baggage with American Airlines, Stephen
If you need to bring more bags than your fare allowance includes, you can purchase additional checked baggage online for the best rates.
Pre-Purchase Online (Best Value)
Important Information About American Airlines Baggage Allowance
Whilst we strive to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, baggage allowances and fees may vary and can change with little notice. For any information regarding your American Airlines baggage allowance, please check your booking confirmation and contact American Airlines directly.
Important Note
My Baggage is not associated with American Airlines, and our customer service team cannot assist with any airline baggage-related queries. For specific or unusual baggage questions, please reach out to American Airlines's support team or visit their comprehensive baggage information pages on their official website.
American Airlines Military Baggage Benefits
American Airlines offers generous baggage benefits for U.S. military personnel:
Active U.S. Military on Orders:
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