Last updated: 29 October 2026. Fees apply to American-marketed and operated itineraries, per person and each way, and taxes are not shown. Partner-operated flights follow the partner's rules.
Prices are in US dollars (USD) for flights leaving the US. Flights leaving Canada are priced in Canadian dollars on a separate American page.
Cabin baggage
- Personal item
- 1 item under the seat in front, up to 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm): purse, small handbag
- Carry-on bag
- 1 bag of up to 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm), handles and wheels counted, stored in the overhead locker or under the seat. It must fit the airport sizer and should have a name label
- Soft garment bag
- Up to 51 in (130 cm) in total dimensions
- Not counted
- Nappy bags (one per child), breast pump, a small soft cooler holding breast milk, child car seats, strollers, medical or mobility devices
- American states no weight limit for the carry-on bag on its page.
- A small musical instrument can serve as your carry-on when it fits the overhead locker or beneath the seat. Larger ones need an extra seat at the adult fare.
- Batteries and e-cigarettes can never be checked. On regional American Eagle flights a bag may be valet checked at the gate if bin space runs out.
Checked baggage
Each checked bag may be up to 62 in (158 cm) in length plus width plus height and 50 lb (23 kg). In Business and First the free bags may weigh up to 70 lb (32 kg), and charged bags 50 lb (23 kg). On flights to and from Australia and New Zealand, all confirmed passengers may check bags up to 70 lb (32 kg) free of the weight fee, and charged bags are 50 lb (23 kg).
Free checked bags by cabin and status
- Basic Economy
- None on most routes (one free bag if the ticket was issued from 23 Apr 2026 and the trip is to or from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, India or Qatar)
- Main Cabin
- None on domestic, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Central America; 1 free to the countries listed below
- Main Plus
- 1 free bag more than Main Cabin gives, 2 in all
- Premium Economy, Business, Domestic First
- 2 free
- Flagship First, Flagship Business Plus
- 3 free
- AAdvantage Gold, oneworld Ruby; eligible AAdvantage credit cardholders on domestic American flights
- 1st free
- AAdvantage Platinum, oneworld Sapphire, TrueBlue Mosaic
- 1st and 2nd free
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, oneworld Emerald
- 1st to 3rd free (a 4th with Flagship First)
- Active US military and dependents on orders
- Bags 1 to 5 free (personal travel with ID: 3)
First bag free in Main Cabin when you fly to or from (excluding Basic Economy where marked): Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, South Korea, Uruguay, Venezuela and trans-Atlantic routes. Basic Economy is excluded for the South American countries, Haiti, Israel, Cuba, Panama and Venezuela and trans-Atlantic, and it is included for Asia, India and Qatar from tickets issued 23 April 2026.
Number of bags you may check
- Up to 10 bags on American-operated domestic, trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights.
- Up to 5 bags to, through or from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Brazil, with seasonal and year-round restrictions on boxes and bags at some cities.
- Cuba: at most 2 bags of 70 lb each.
Where American flies: bag regions
- Domestic: United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
- Mexico and the Caribbean (Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and others; Cuba and Haiti priced separately).
- Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; Panama separate).
- South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and others; Guyana and Venezuela separate).
- Trans-Atlantic: Europe, Israel, Qatar, Morocco, Turkey, Greenland and Iceland; India and Qatar priced separately.
- Trans-Pacific: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Checked bag fees
Does the price depend on when you pay?
Yes. Pay through aa.com or the app until 2 hours before take-off to get the lowest price, usually $5 less on the first and second bag within and between the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Bags paid for at the airport cost the higher price and cannot be refunded. The online discount does not cover Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, India and Peru.
Fees by region (per bag, each way)
US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
- Bag 1
- Main Cabin $50 ($45 online); Basic Economy $55 ($50 online)
- Bag 2
- Main $60 ($55 online); Basic Economy $65 ($60 online)
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Canada and Mexico
- Bag 1
- Main $50 ($45 online); Basic Economy $55 ($50)
- Bag 2
- Main $60 ($55); Basic Economy $65 ($60)
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Caribbean (not Cuba or Haiti)
- Bag 1
- Main $50 ($45 online); Basic Economy $55 ($50)
- Bag 2
- Main $60 ($55); Basic Economy $65 ($60)
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Central America (not Panama)
- Bag 1
- Main $50 ($45 online); Basic Economy $55 ($50)
- Bag 2
- Main $60 ($55); Basic Economy $65 ($60)
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Guyana
- Bag 1
- Main $50 ($45 online); Basic Economy $55 ($50)
- Bag 2
- Main $60 ($55); Basic Economy $65 ($60)
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Haiti
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $50 ($45 online)
- Bag 2
- $65
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Panama
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $55
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Venezuela
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $70
- Bag 2
- $150
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
South America (not Guyana or Venezuela)
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $70
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
India and Qatar
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $75 (tickets before 23 Apr 2026)
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Trans-Atlantic (not India or Qatar)
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy $85
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Trans-Pacific (not India, Australia, New Zealand)
- Bag 1
- Free; Basic Economy free from 23 Apr 2026
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Australia and New Zealand
- Bag 1
- Free, including Basic Economy
- Bag 2
- $100
- Bag 3
- $200
- Bag 4 and more
- $200
Basic Economy fees in the table apply to tickets issued from 18 May 2026. American has raised the domestic first bag fee several times (from $35 to $40 and $45 and then to the current $50 and $55 for Basic Economy), so tickets bought earlier keep the older price. Within the US and Canada a third bag is $200 for tickets issued from 9 April 2026 (it was $150 before). Cuba: from Cuba the first two bags are free and a third is $200; to Cuba the second bag is $150, or $200 from 16 November to 15 January.
Oversize and overweight bags
When a bag is both oversize and overweight, the higher of the two fees applies in addition to the bag fee.
Oversize (length + width + height)
Between the US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Canada
- Over 62 to 65 in (158 to 165 cm)
- $30
- Over 65 to 115 in (165 to 292 cm)
- $200
Mexico, Caribbean, Central America (not Panama), Guyana, Suriname
- Over 62 to 65 in (158 to 165 cm)
- $30
- Over 65 to 115 in (165 to 292 cm)
- $200
Panama and South America (not Guyana or Suriname)
- Over 62 to 65 in (158 to 165 cm)
- $30
- Over 65 to 115 in (165 to 292 cm)
- $150
Europe, Israel, Qatar
- Over 62 to 65 in (158 to 165 cm)
- $30
- Over 65 to 115 in (165 to 292 cm)
- $150
China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Australia, New Zealand
- Over 62 to 65 in (158 to 165 cm)
- $30
- Over 65 to 115 in (165 to 292 cm)
- $200
Bags over 115 in (292 cm) are not accepted. To and from Mexico, boxes cannot exceed 80 in (203 cm).
Overweight
Between the US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Canada
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $100
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- $200
Cuba
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $200
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- Not accepted
Venezuela
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $150
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- Not accepted
Mexico, Caribbean (not Cuba), Central and South America (not Venezuela)
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $100
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- $200
Europe, Israel, Qatar
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $100
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- Not accepted
China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia
- Over 50 to 53 lb (23 to 24 kg)
- $30
- Over 53 to 70 lb (24 to 32 kg)
- $100
- Over 70 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg)
- $450 (not accepted to or from Australia)
Special baggage
Size and weight
Most items up to 100 lb (45 kg) and 115 in (292 cm). Javelins, vaulting poles and hang gliders are not accepted as checked items.
Golf
1 golf bag (clubs, balls, tees and one pair of shoes). Standard checked bag fees apply up to 50 lb and the overweight fee from 50 to 70 lb; no oversize fee.
Skis and snowboards
1 pair of skis with poles, or one snowboard, plus boots, bindings and a helmet count as 1 checked item with an equipment bag. No wax lighters or torches.
Surfboards and other boards
(wakeboards, paddle boards, kiteboards): one bag with several boards counts as 1 item; fins removed or protected.
Bicycles
1 non-motorised bicycle in a hard case, bag or box, handlebars fixed sideways, pedals removed or wrapped. If not in a hard case it is treated as fragile.
Scuba
1 empty tank and 1 equipment bag count as 1 item. Fishing: a rod case with up to 2 rods plus an equipment bag or tackle box counts as 1 item.
Media bags
Eligible media and entertainment companies pay $60 per piece one way domestically or $90 internationally, up to 25 pieces per flight, with overweight and oversize fees waived.
Pets
Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin on most flights up to 12 hours, within the 48 contiguous states, to and from Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, at about $150 per kennel. Checked pets are accepted only for active-duty US military and State Department personnel on orders, at $200 per kennel ($150 to and from Brazil). Trained service dogs fly free in the cabin.
Questions travellers ask us
How much is the first checked bag on a domestic American flight?
Main Cabin: $50, or $45 when paid online; Basic Economy: $55, or $50 online. The second bag costs $60 ($55 online).
Is there a weight limit for carry-on?
American's page states none, only the size: 22 x 14 x 9 in plus a personal item of 18 x 14 x 8 in.
Do I get a free bag to Europe or India?
In Main Cabin the first bag is free to trans-Atlantic destinations and to India, but not in Basic Economy, where it costs $85 to Europe. The second bag is $100.
Can I take a TV or large item in the cabin?
No. Anything over 22 x 14 x 9 in is checked.
What happens when I connect to another airline?
American through-checks bags only when all tickets are on one reservation and you connect to an American or oneworld flight. Free bags do not apply on partner-operated codeshare flights.
What is the heaviest bag I can check?
70 lb (32 kg) in Business, First and on Australia and New Zealand, and most other bags up to 100 lb (45 kg) with the overweight fee.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of American Airlines.
20 questions and answers
No, most of US airlines do not give a maximum weight for the cabin baggage. However, It does ask you to keep dimensions of cabin bag is check within given limits.
My daughter will be travelling from South Africa to New Ark - departure 5 January 2020. Her international flights allow her 2 suitcases of 23kg each without additional cost and 1 x hand luggage of 7kg withouth additional cost. She will be travelling from New York to Charlotte on the 10th of January 2020.
Please can you confirm the baggage that she will be allowed free of charge as well as the additional costs for her other luggage.
Thank you very much
Kind Regards
Eloise
It is a single PNR on which flying or two separate tickets were booked. In latter case, the allowance will be determined as per domestic flights policy. So, there might not be a free allowance.
TIA - HKG (cathay dragon)
HKG - ORD (cathay pacific)
ORD - DSM (American airlines)
I am planning to carry 2 check in luggage 23kg each in weight and 1 hand carry weigh 7kg .
My question is, Do I alloweded to carry 2 check in luggage (23kg each) and 1 hand carry (7kg) in my domestic flight (ORD - DSM) via American Airlines without paying any fines or fees ?
Both AA and Cathay Pacific are oneworld Alliance members and, by virtue of that, their frequent flyer members enjoy certain benefits. One of this is the extra baggage allowance. However, we do not know the status of your membership. We also do not know whether the ticket has been done on AA website or other airline, and whether a single ticket has been done for whole itinerary or separate tickets have been bought.
Since we do not have complete picture of your itinerary, we would request you to contact the airline you booked tickets with and seek information from that airline.
If the AA representative is confirming this, then there is no need for doubt.
There is no free allowance. You will have to pay for the baggage. $25 and $35 are charges for 1st and 2nd check-in bag.
Could I carry on a 32 inch LCD TV aa carry on luggae to POS Trinidad?
Rgs
Nicole
It can not be carried in cabin. It has to be checked in.
This is my Itenary traveling from Charlotte to Bangalore. Flight booked through American Airlines Website. May I know what is my check-in baggage allowance please?
AMERICAN AIRLINES 732 CLT Charlotte Dec 19, 2018
08:15 PM LHR London Dec 20, 2018 09:15 AM
ETIHAD AIRWAYS 20 LHR London Dec 20, 2018
02:05 PM AUH Abu Dhabi Dec 21, 2018 01:20 AM
ETIHAD AIRWAYS 286 AUH Abu Dhabi Dec 21, 2018
02:50 AM BLR Bangalore Dec 21, 2018 08:10 AM
ETIHAD AIRWAYS 237 BLR Bangalore Jan 11, 2019
09:50 PM AUH Abu Dhabi Jan 12, 2019 12:40 AM
ETIHAD AIRWAYS 1 AUH Abu Dhabi Jan 12, 2019
02:35 AM FRA Frankfurt Jan 12, 2019 06:40 AM
AMERICAN AIRLINES 705 FRA Frankfurt Jan 12, 2019
10:15 AM CLT Charlotte Jan 12, 2019 02:20 PM
1 Free check in bag is allowed. If travelling in basic economy, the charge is USD 60 per excess kg
On which airline has the ticket been booked? Is it AA or BA? BA allows 2 bags of 23 kg each on economy and premium economy and this can be taken in AA as well. However, we would still request you to get this detail confirmed with the airline or agency where ticket has been booked.
Please share the route wise airline and also mention on which airline ticket was booked.
2 bags of 32 kg each is your check in baggage allowance since you have a confirmed ticket in business class. Cabin allowance is not in terms of weight. AA allows you to take any weight in cabin baggage on condition that it shall meet its size guidelines. You can take 1 personal item of size 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm ) and 1 cabin bag of size 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters.
I am travelling from (Kerala,India - AbuDhabi,UAE - Wichita, USA) and travelling through AA from Abu Dhabi, UAE to Wichita. I am allowed a total of 2 bags + 1 hand bag (23+23+7), I want to know the excess baggage charges that would apply and how do I pay. Please help
Which airline are you flying on india route?
This shall not be the problem. BA would apply.
Which airline are you ticketed on and which is the other airline?
I am traveling to US by the connected flights of Jet Airways and American Airlines. I have been allowed 3 bags which should be 23kg each, a total of 69kg.
Can I have a luggage of 24kg, the other 25kg and the third luggage as 20kg? So that collectively it will be 69kg? And all the three luggages are under 158cm.
Thankyou
Ayushee
If you carry these in this way, you will have to pay excess baggage charges for increased weight of each bag.
If tickets are booked separately, then it will be chargeable.
My return journey is from Denver Colorado to kuala lumpur, Malaysia via Dallas and hong kong. I wish to know my baggage allowances for this journey. Please advice.
Thank you.
To help you in this matter, we believe this link would help https://www.tripadvisor.in/Travel-g41707-c211983/Newton:Massachusetts:Baggage.Rules.For.Multi.Airline.Trips.html. As per this article, it is the baggage allowance policy of AA which applies in case of flights from USA since it is the first marketing carrier.
Please mention the route clearly. This routing is not very clear too us.
2 bags of 23 kg each would be free in check in and 7 kg in cabin allowance. In the absence of the flight number, this is expected to be a transpacific flight only.
Since it will be considered a part of the check in baggage by AA as well, there will be charges for carrying it due to its weight and size,
Both American airlines and Qatar airways have different baggage charges. Which policy is applicable for me? Please advice.
Also I am planning to carry 40 inch Tv and with package size will be (43.5 x 24.4 x 6.5) around 75 inch. Will it be considered as oversize baggage or will they allow as normal luggage? Weight will be around 16 kg.
AA baggage allowance would be applicable since Qatar Airline clearly states that any interline or codeshare flight originating from USA, the first carrier baggage allowance policies would be applicable.