Domestic and international baggage policy

American Airlines 2024 Allowance for Baggage

Have you ever used US Airlines if not learn here about everything baggage, costs and limitations on American airlines

The amount of baggage changed day by day depends on cabin class, fare and on the route.

Maximum size of baggage is 56 cm by 36 cm by 23 cm without handles and wheels. Passengers are allowed to bring one piece of hand luggage and one personal item,and both can easily fit under the seat before you. Baggage may include a laptop bag, briefcase, pocketbook, or other objects like a tote.

Note: The following items do not qualify as personal or carry-on items such as strollers, kid safety seats, soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, diaper bags (one per child), and medical or mobility devices.

In addition to a personal item, customers traveling in Basic Economy are now permitted to check one complimentary carry-on to every destination.

Bags for carry-on

You can carry one carry-on bag and one personal time without any charges. But you have to follow the following rules.

Size restrictions

Please check your bag size before arriving at the airport. It must be fit with our our size restrictions

Bags for carry-on

Size for carry-on bags be 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) so it fits in the overhead bin. Take care to measure the handle and wheels of your bag.

Personal belongings

Size of personal items must be 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm) in order to fit beneath the seat in front of you. In this the items include laptop bags, backpacks, and purses.

Our luggage sizers can be used to measure your bag if you're at the airport and unsure about its correct size.

Basic Economy

You are only allowed to bring one personal item on most flights in Basic Economy. Unless you're traveling to South America, across the Atlantic, or across the Pacific, you cannot travel with a carry-on bag. Every other bag needs to be examined. Please be aware that you will be assessed a $25 surcharge in addition to the usual bag price if you check a carry-on at your gate.

You are allowed to bring one complimentary carry-on bag if you have Premier status with MileagePlus, are traveling with a Premier member, are the primary cardholder of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or are a Star Alliance Gold member.

Bags checked at the gate

There are situations when a plane is too tiny for carry-on luggage or soon runs out of overhead room. In certain circumstances, your suitcase will be free to gate-check and available for pickup upon aircraft departure instead of at baggage claim. Most frequently, this occurs on United Express flights.

You are only permitted to bring one personal item on a CommutAir flight. Carry-on luggage is accepted on all other United Express carriers, however space is limited. Check your itinerary in My Trips to see if you're traveling on United Express. We will inform you in each flight segment whether your flight is being run by a different carrier

You can pick up your carry-on bag at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination if it exceeds our size restrictions or the carry-on bag limitation specified on your ticket and needs to be checked at the gate.

Policy for checked bags

Checked bag allowances

Some changes were done on February 20, 2024, to the fees and bag allowances.

If you are traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: the first checked bag costs $40 (or $35 if you pay online) and the second checked bag costs $45.

For traveling to Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana; first bag checked costs $35 and the second checked bag fee is $45.

All baggage fees are non-refundable and apply to each individual, at each check-in site, regardless of whether you purchase or receive an upgrade that entitles you to complimentary checked baggage. Within 45 days, submit a refund claim or get assistance from an American representative if you think you were charged too much for bags.

How many bags can you carry?

On flights run by American Airlines, you may check up to ten baggage if you're going to: Transatlantic, transpacific, and domestic.

If you are going to any of these destinations: Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Brazil, or Mexico, you can check up to 5 bags on US air flights.

Baggage fee of United Airlines (UA)

Yes, there may be charges. They depend on a number of factors, including the kind of ticket you bought, where you're going, whether you're a dependent of an active member of the US military, whether you have status with an affiliated airline, whether you have a credit or charge card sponsored by United Airlines, and whether you have status with the airline's frequent flyer program.

The standard checked baggage and hold baggage fees for domestic flights in the United States are as follows:

• $35.00 USD for the first bag
• Second bag: US $45.00
• Third and any further: one hundred fifty dollars per bag

International flights

For international flights to and from the United States, United Airlines' (UA) regular checked baggage and hold baggage fees are usually $100.00 USD for the second bag and nothing at all for the first. The first checked bag is $60 USD, while the second bag costs $100 USD in international basic economy. Two checked baggage are standard on some routes. The precise number per trip can be found on United.com using the "Baggage Calculator" provided by United Airlines (UA).

Fee charged by United Airlines (UA) for extra luggage

Depending on the itinerary, United Airlines (UA) will charge a range for the third bag and additional luggage, starting at $150 USD. You may find out the precise amount for each route by visiting United Airlines' (UA) "Baggage Calculator" on United.com.

Note: Excess baggage embargoes to and from some locations in the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and South America are both temporary and permanent. Please visit United.com and look for "Baggage Embargoes."

The cost of overweight luggage on United Airlines (UA)

For domestic flights within the United States, United Airlines (UA) will impose the following fees on luggage weighing more than the typical 50 pounds or 23 kilograms:

51–70 pounds, or 24–32 kilograms: an additional $100–200 each bag
71–100 pounds, or 33–46 kg: an additional $400 USD per bag
Overweight bags (46 kg or 100 pounds) will not be allowed to be checked or held.
Flight costs to and from the United States range from $200 to $400 USD. The precise number
for each route can be found on united.com using United Airlines' (UA) "Baggage Calculator."

United Airlines' (UA) excess baggage fee

Any bag that is between 160 and 292 centimeters, or between 63 and 115 linear inches, will cost an additional $200.00 USD on United Airlines (UA). Bags that are larger than 292 centimeters or 115 linear inches cannot be checked or kept in the hold.

Costs associated with sporting equipment on United Airlines (UA)

The type of sports equipment determines the fee. Larger athletic goods are charged at a starting $150 USD. For precise information, visit the United Airlines baggage information page and look for the sporting equipment section.

3 Methods to avoid US airlines baggage fees

There are also no checked bag fees for passengers going to specific locations. A summary of the ways you can get around American baggage fees is provided below.

1. Waived fees by destination

All long-haul international main cabin tickets on American Airlines include one complimentary checked bag, with the exception of basic economy rates. On select itineraries to and from the United States, American Airlines provides one complimentary checked bag.

One complimentary checked bag is available at the following locations (not on basic economy fares):

Latin America: Panama, El Salvador, Cuba, and Haiti.

South America: Ecuador, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and Columbia.

flights over the Atlantic.

Flights from China, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, and South Korea across the Pacific.

Mideast: Qatar and Israel.

Verify the cost of the checked bag with the American.

Furthermore, American offers a basic economy plus bag cost that includes one complimentary checked bag for travel to Asia, Oceania, India, and Israel.

2. Free checked bags when traveling in a premium cabin

First class, business, and premium economy travel are more expensive, but they also come with extra complimentary checked luggage. Depending on the location, Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus travelers can check up to three bags, while premium economy, business, and domestic first class passengers are eligible for up to two complimentary bags.

3. Elite members receive free checked baggage

There are four elite tiers on American Airlines, and they come with a ton of helpful perks like free checked bags. Elite members and visitors making the same reservation on American Airlines or American Eagle are eligible for the complimentary checked bag bonus.

A single checked bag is complimentary with AAdvantage Gold.

Free two checked baggage with AAdvantage Platinum membership.

Three complimentary checked baggage with AAdvantage Platinum Pro.

Free three checked baggage with AAdvantage Executive Platinum membership.

On flights operated by American Airlines, Oneworld elite members are additionally eligible for complimentary checked baggage:

One checked bag is free with Oneworld Ruby.

Free two checked bags with Oneworld Sapphire.

Triple checked luggage is free with Oneworld Emerald

Which carriers charge the least for bags?

We examined checked luggage and overhead carry-on baggage fees assessed by the main U.S. airlines on domestic one-way prices in NerdWallet's most recent review of airline fees.

Airline Name	Checked Bag Fees	Carry-On-Bag
Southwest	$0	-
Hawaiian	$30	-
Alaska	$35	-
American	$35	-
Delta	$35	-
JetBlue	$35	-
United	$35	-
Spirit	$39	$44
Frontier	$64	$64

Concluding thoughts on the baggage regulations of American Airlines

Travelers on American Airlines are entitled to a free carry-on bag. When traveling to or from specific locations, or if you meet one of the exclusions (i.e., elite status holder, premium cabin traveler, etc.), you will be provided with a complimentary checked bag.

If you use American Airlines often and check a bag, it may be wise to investigate ways to avoid paying the checked bag cost, such as booking your ticket with the appropriate credit card.

FAQ

How much luggage is permitted on an American domestic flight?

Measurement: 158 cm / 62 in. Weight: 50 lbs / 23 kg for extra bags that are paid and 70 lbs / 32 kilogram for free baggage.

What is the United States' allowance for carry-on luggage?

Carry-on luggage cannot be larger than 10 inches in depth, 16 inches in width, or 24 inches in height, and it must weigh less than 35 pounds. Bags have to fit into the containers above. Checked luggage ought to weigh less than 40 pounds and measure no more than 62 linear inches (length plus width plus depth).

Can I bring a 30-kg suitcase on a plane?

It states that he may only check a maximum of two bags, but he is free to check one 30-kg bag. A checked bag's maximum weight is 32 kilograms.

What distinguishes baggage allowance from carry-on?

Once more, the airline determines the weight restriction. Prior to packing, it would be beneficial if you could confirm the weight restrictions on your luggage. Carry-on luggage is usually allowed to weigh up to 22 pounds, or roughly 10 kilograms. A checked bag is more flexible and has a maximum weight of about fifty pounds, or twenty-two kilos.

What is the weight of a hand-carried bag?

Kindly remember these guidelines: Inside the cabin, each visitor is permitted to bring one (1) hand carry or carry-on bag, up to seven (7) kg in weight and up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm in dimensions. This covers the majority of backpacks and wheeled cabin luggage.