Looking for everything there is to know about American Airlines' baggage allowance? It's all right here.
What is American Airline's hand baggage allowance?
On most American Airlines flights you can bring a personal item and a cabin bag. There's no weight restriction, so feel free to stuff! (Here's how to make the most of your suitcase space)
You're allowed to bring a soft-sided garment bag too, but that will count as your 'cabin bag' so if you turn up with a handbag, a suitcase and a garment bag, you'll likely be forced to check the suitcase into the hold.
There are also some items you can bring in addition though, which don't count towards your allowance. These are:
Diaper bags (1 per child)
Breast pump
Small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk
Child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices
Here's an overview of American Airlines' hang baggage allowance in a handy table:
American Airline's max cabin bag size | American Airline's cabin bag weight | Number of bags allowed on board | Cost to add a cabin bag, per item, per flight |
|---|---|---|---|
Personal item: Cabin bag: 56x36x23 cm Garment bag: | No limit. | 1 personal item and 1 cabin bag (plus any of the exceptional items listed above) | As per check in baggage, dependent on route. See below. |
What is American Airlines' checked baggage allowance?
How many bags you can check in with American Airlines depends on a few things. Your route is an important one, but also your ticket class and the number of bags you're wanting to check in (they get more expensive the more you add). And as ever, if you are signed up to the relevant loyalty scheme, you may receive extra baggage for free as well.
With American Airlines, you can add up to 3 checked bags online, from 331 days before departure up until 2 hours before take-off. The airline says that buying bags online will give you 'the best price available' but doesn't specify what those savings are, aside from 'save $5 (£3.77) on the 1st and 2nd checked bag fees for travel within and between the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, Caribbean (except Cuba / Haiti), Mexico, Central America (except Panama) and Guyana.'
You can add more than 3 bags per person, per flight at the check-in desk, up to the limit for your booking. Fees for buying check-in bags at the airport range from £0-£151 ($0-$200) and are largely dependant on route. There are exceptions for specific locations such as Canada, Haiti and Peru, so check closely before booking.
If you're flying in Flagship class (American Airlines' Business Class offering), are an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro or oneworld Emerald member, you get 3 checked bags up to 32 kgs for free, which is pretty cushty!
See below for more information on American Airlines' checked baggage allowances.
American Airline's hold baggage size | American Airline's hold luggage weight allowance | Number of hold bags allowed | Cost of American Airline's hold luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
Total dimensions of 158cm - add the length, height and weight to calculate this | All flights except to/from Australia and New Zealand: 23kg First and Business class: 32kg for included bags, 23kg for excess bags To/from Australia and New Zealand: 32kg for included bags, 23kg for excess bags | Flights between North America and Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and South America: Domestic, trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights: For flights to/from Cuba: 2 hold bags | Bag 1: between £0-£56.60 ($0-$75) Bag 2: between £34-£75.50 ($45-$100) Bag 3: between £113.20-£151 ($150-$200) Bag 4: £151 ($200) |
You can check in up to three bags online ahead of your booking, but more at check-in.
What are American Airlines' excess baggage fees?
As with other airlines, you may check in extra large items which exceed the limitations laid out above - but only to a point.
You can check in bags with total dimensions of up to 292cm and weighing up to 45kgs for a fee. Anything bigger than either of those limits cannot be loaded on board.
Fees depend on where you're flying to, and some destinations have their own size and weight restrictions. Madrid, for example, allows bags with dimensions larger than 292cm, as long as no one side is over 110cm, while if you're flying to Mexico total dimensions cannot exceed 203cm.
Here's a breakdown of American Airlines' excess baggage fees.
American Airlines oversized baggage fees
Destinations | Between 158 cm – 165 cm | Between 65 cm – |
|---|---|---|
Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, Mexico* / Caribbean* / Central America (except Panama)* / Guyana* / Suriname*, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Australia and New Zealand | £22.64 ($30) | £151 ($200) |
Europe^, Israel, Qatar, Panama / South America (except Guyana / Suriname)* | £22.64 ($30) | £113.20 ($150) |
American Airlines overweight baggage fees
Destinations | 23 kgs – 24 kgs | 24 kgs – 32 kgs | 32 kgs – 45 kgs |
|---|---|---|---|
Between U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada | £22.64 ($30) | £75.50 ($100) | £151 ($200) |
Cuba | £22.64 ($30) | £151 ($200) | Not accepted |
Mexico / Caribbean (excluding Cuba) / Central and South America* | £22.64 ($30) | £75.50 ($100) | £151 ($200) |
Europe, Israel, Qatar | £22.64 ($30) | £75.50 ($100) | Not accepted |
China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand^ and Australia^ | £22.64 ($30) | £75.50 ($100) | £340 ($450) (Not accepted to / from Australia) |
*Seasonal and / or year-round checked bag limitations apply to some cities in Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America.
^To / from Australia or New Zealand, you're allowed 1 free bag in Basic or Main, 2 free bags in Premium Economy or Business, and 3 free bags in First up to 70 lbs / 32 kgs at no extra cost. Any excess bags will be charged the overweight fee over 50 lbs / 23 kgs to 70 lbs / 32 kgs.
All information sourced from American Airlines' website and correct as of April 2026. Always check your baggage limits with the airline before travelling.
