American Airlines allows a carry-on bag of 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and a personal item of 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) on every fare, Basic Economy included. A checked bag can be 62 in (158 cm) in total and 50 lb (23 kg), as of October 2026.
Bag type
Your bag against American’s limits
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The three limits
| Bag | Limit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | Goes under the seat in front of you |
| Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) | Handles and wheels count, and the bag has to fit the airport sizer |
| Soft-sided garment bag | 51 in (130 cm) in total | Length + width + height added up |
| Checked bag | 62 in (158 cm) total, 50 lb (23 kg) | Not accepted over 115 in (292 cm) or 100 lb (45 kg) |
First and Business free bags may weigh 70 lb (32 kg).
Some things ride free on top of the two bags: diaper bags (one per child), a breast pump, a small soft-sided cooler of breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices. American asks that the carry-on be labeled in case it has to be checked.
Which fares include a checked bag
Main Cabin and Basic Economy include no free checked bag, and Basic Economy pays more per bag than Main Cabin. Main Plus adds one free checked bag to the Main Cabin allowance. Domestic First, Business and Premium Economy include 2 free bags. Paying online costs less than paying at the airport.
Eligible AAdvantage credit cardholders check their first bag free on domestic flights that American operates. Basic Economy doesn’t lose that benefit within the U.S. and Canada.
Basic Economy: the carry-on may end up checked
Basic Economy still includes 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item. Basic Economy boards last, usually in group 9, and by then the overhead bins are usually full, so American tells Basic Economy travelers to plan on checking the carry-on. Pack it so it can go in the hold, with batteries, power banks and medicine in the personal item.
Valet bags on American Eagle flights
American Eagle regional jets have small overhead bins. If your carry-on is bigger than the personal item limit, American tags it at the gate for free and hands it back on the jet bridge when you land. Take out any batteries and e-cigarettes before it goes. Embraer 175 planes take carry-on bags in the cabin and have no valet service.
Overweight and oversize bags
- Overweight: over 50 lb (23 kg) up to 100 lb costs an overweight fee, in steps at 53 and 70 lb.
- Oversize: over 62 in (158 cm) up to 115 in costs an oversize fee, in steps at 65 in.
- Both at once: you pay the higher of the two fees, on top of the checked bag fee.
Sports equipment
Sports gear can be up to 115 inches (292 cm) and 70 pounds (32 kg). Equipment American lists is charged as a normal checked bag up to 50 pounds, with no oversize fee, and the overweight fee from 51 to 70 pounds. A pair of skis or a snowboard plus one equipment bag counts as one checked item, and one golf bag can hold clubs, balls, tees and a pair of shoes. Javelins, vaulting poles and hang gliders aren’t accepted.
Bag prices
For today’s bag fees, see American’s baggage page.