What is American Airlines' carry-on baggage policy?

Farehub Desk
Sep 16
2 min read

Think of flying American Airlines like attending a theater performance, your bags are the actors, and only those that fit the role get on stage. Understanding American Airlines baggage policy is not easy. When you first learned the rules, you may have thought they were simple: one personal item and one carry-on. But the fine print is where the real story begins.

Personal Item: The Underseat VIP

Your personal item could be a laptop bag, purse, or slim backpack, but here’s the golden rule: it must slip under the seat as it belongs there. The official max size is 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

Here’s the twist: diaper bags, breast pumps, and medical devices don’t count. A traveler can board with a stroller and a backpack without any issue.

Carry-On: The Overhead Arena

The overhead bin is less like a storage space and more like a gladiator ring. Bags fight for space, and only the toughest-sized bag wins. American Airlines allows one 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on. A soft-sided garment bag up to 51 inches (total dimensions) gets a free pass.

What Goes Up, What Stays Down

Here’s a slight twist in the American Airlines baggage policy most people miss! Although airlines may restrict some items if they don’t meet the size limit, certain items may pose safety concerns. Lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and delicate electronics must stay in your carry-on. Meanwhile, large bottles of shampoo or sports gear need to be packed in checked luggage.

One thing you must ensure? Always tag your carry-on. While changing connections, gate agents may encounter difficulties if tagging is not performed correctly. Finding it later felt like a scavenger hunt. A luggage tag always saves your bag from getting lost.

Checked Baggage: Where the Fees Lurk

Unless you’ve unlocked perks with AAdvantage status or a co-branded credit card, you’ll likely pay the following American Airlines baggage fees:

Within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: $40 for the first bag ($35 if prepaid online).
Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Guyana: $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second.

And here’s the kicker: American Airlines bag policy fees are applied per person, per direction. Book a round trip? Double the numbers. It’s the fine print many travelers forget.

Beating the System: Traveler Hacks

Savvy travelers turn baggage rules into strategy, and these three save the most:

Prepay online: It’s cheaper and speeds up check-in.
Tag your carry-on: In case the bins overflow and agents grab it.
Pack like a minimalist: Compression cubes are the secret to efficient packing.

Conclusion

The American Airlines baggage policy isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a game. Know the size limits, respect the exceptions, and be aware of where the fees are hidden. With the right tricks, you’ll be able to pass through the check-in counter like a savvy traveler and carry your bags perfectly without wasting a dollar. Flying light with American isn’t luck, it’s a strategy. And once you master it, every trip feels like you’ve beaten the system.