✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
American Airlines lets every passenger — including Basic Economy — bring one carry-on plus one personal item free of charge. Where it gets expensive is the hold: checked-bag fees rose again for tickets issued on or after 18 May 2026, and Basic Economy adds a surcharge on top. The figures below are the airline’s current published policy; checked fees and free allowances vary heavily by route (a transatlantic ticket often includes the first bag, a domestic ticket never does), so always confirm your exact itinerary at booking.
All fees are quoted in USD for travel originating in the United States; equivalent local-currency amounts apply on flights starting elsewhere. Paying online before you reach the airport is consistently cheaper than paying at the counter.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | Free, all fares |
| Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) | Free, all fares |
| 1st checked (domestic) | 50 lb / 23 kg | $45 online / $50 airport (+$5 Basic Economy) |
| 2nd checked (domestic) | 50 lb / 23 kg | $55 online / $60 airport (+$5 Basic Economy) |
| Checked (Business/First) | 70 lb / 32 kg | 2 bags free |
| Overweight 50-53 lb | 23-24 kg | +$30 |
| Overweight 54-70 lb | 24-32 kg | +$100 (most routes) |
| Oversize 63-65 in | 159-165 cm linear | +$30 |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm). One free personal item on every fare, including Basic Economy. Must fit under the seat in front of you — purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including wheels and handles · No published weight limit on most flights; you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin unaided (some international stations enforce ~22 lb / 10 kg) Free on all fares, including Basic Economy |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Not included on domestic/short-haul fares; first bag usually free on most transatlantic and transpacific routes (except Basic Economy) |
| Weight limit | Up to 50 lb (23 kg) in economy; up to 70 lb (32 kg) in Business and Domestic First. Bags over 100 lb (45 kg) are not accepted |
| Typical fee | Domestic 1st bag $45 online / $50 at airport; 2nd bag $55 online / $60 at airport. Basic Economy adds $5 per bag. International varies by route |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | 1 free | 1 carry-on free | Paid add-on; +$5 vs standard economy per bag |
| Main Cabin | 1 free | 1 carry-on free | Paid on domestic; 1st bag often free transatlantic/transpacific |
| Premium Economy | 1 free | 1 carry-on free | 2 bags up to 50 lb (23 kg) free on most international routes |
| Business / Domestic First | 1 free | 1 carry-on free | 2 bags up to 70 lb (32 kg) free |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
aifly deal-watch: when you book American’s cheapest Basic Economy fare, only the cabin baggage is free — your carry-on (22 x 14 x 9 in) and a personal item come at no cost, but a checked bag is always a paid add-on, and Basic Economy pays $5 more per bag than Main Cabin.
This matters most on cheap domestic and short-haul tickets, where no checked bag is ever bundled: a $200 round-trip headline can become $290+ once you add one bag each way ($45-$50 online, more at the counter). On long-haul transatlantic and transpacific routes, Main Cabin and above usually include the first checked bag — but Basic Economy strips that out, so the advertised fare and the all-in fare can diverge sharply. If you can travel cabin-only, Basic Economy is genuinely cheap; if you need the hold, price the bag in before comparing fares.
Oversize, sports & special items
Overweight charges (per bag, in addition to any checked-bag fee): economy bags must stay at or under 50 lb (23 kg). A bag of 50-53 lb incurs roughly $30; 54-70 lb jumps to about $100 on most routes. American will not accept any bag over 100 lb (45 kg).
Oversize charges: standard checked bags must not exceed 62 in (158 cm) total linear dimensions (length + width + height). A bag of 63-65 in (159-165 cm) costs about $30 extra; the absolute maximum accepted is 115 in (292 cm) total. A single bag that is both overweight and oversize can attract both penalties.
Third bag: for tickets issued on or after 9 April 2026, a third checked bag within/between the US (including Hawaii and Alaska), Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Canada costs about $200.
Sports and music equipment: bikes, skis, golf clubs and similar are accepted as standard checked baggage and count toward your allowance if within size/weight limits — most no longer carry a special surcharge, but oversize/overweight fees still apply. Small musical instruments may be carried on if they fit overhead or under the seat; larger instruments can be checked or, for fragile high-value items, booked an extra seat. Always confirm packaging and dimensions for your specific item before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Does American Airlines include a free checked bag?
Not on domestic or short-haul economy fares — you pay per bag. On most transatlantic and transpacific routes the first checked bag is included in Main Cabin and above, but Basic Economy never includes one. Premium Economy gets 2 free bags internationally, and Business/First get 2 free bags up to 70 lb each.
How much is a checked bag on American Airlines in 2026?
For domestic US travel, the first bag is $45 online or $50 at the airport, and the second is $55 online or $60 at the airport. Basic Economy adds $5 per bag. International fees vary by route. Fees rose for tickets issued on or after 18 May 2026.
What is American Airlines' carry-on size limit?
One carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including wheels and handles, free on every fare. There is no published weight limit on most flights, but you must be able to lift it into the bin yourself; some international stations enforce roughly 22 lb (10 kg).
Can I bring a personal item on Basic Economy?
Yes. Both a full-size carry-on and a personal item (up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches / 45 x 35 x 20 cm) are free on Basic Economy. Only the checked bag is a paid add-on, and it costs $5 more per bag than on standard fares.
What are American Airlines' overweight and oversize bag fees?
Economy bags must stay at or under 50 lb (23 kg). A bag of 50-53 lb costs about $30 extra; 54-70 lb costs about $100 on most routes. Bags over 100 lb are refused. For size, anything from 63-65 inches (159-165 cm) total linear dimensions adds about $30, with 115 inches (292 cm) the absolute maximum.
How heavy can my checked bag be on American Airlines?
The standard economy limit is 50 lb (23 kg) per bag before overweight fees apply. Business and Domestic First passengers can check bags up to 70 lb (32 kg) at no extra weight charge. American will not accept any single bag over 100 lb (45 kg).
Are sports equipment and musical instruments charged extra?
Sports gear like skis, golf clubs and bikes is treated as standard checked baggage and counts toward your allowance; most no longer carry a special surcharge, but oversize and overweight fees still apply if the item exceeds the limits. Small instruments can be carried on if they fit; larger ones can be checked or given their own seat.