Traveler's Edition
Are you planning to fly with American Airlines soon? If so, be sure to read our guide on how to avoid baggage fees. Liligo.com gives you the low-down on American Airlines’ baggage policy so you don’t get caught out at the airport.
Carry-on baggage
All passengers are entitled to free carry on luggage and personal item. Your personal item must be smaller than your carry-on baggage, for example, a purse, briefcase or laptop bag which appropriately fits underneath the seat.
Your carry-on baggage shouldn’t exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including handles and wheels). Musical items are also considered a carry-on item and must fit in the overhead bin, or under the seat in front of you.
Please note, that if your items do not fit in the desired place then your baggage may need to be checked.
Checked baggage
The best way to avoid unwanted fees at the airport is to ensure your baggage adheres the dimension and weight that American Airlines set. The dimension shouldn’t exceed 62in (length + width + height) or weigh more than 50 lbs. Be a smart traveler and pack as light as you can, avoiding the risk of your baggage being overweight.
You’re able to check up to 10 bags if your trip is:
- Domestic
- Transatlantic
- Transpacific
You’re able to check up to 5 bags if you’re traveling to/ through/ from:
- Mexico/ Caribbean/ Central America
- South American
- Brazil
In some cases you won’t have to pay the baggage fees for up to 3 bags, it depends on your route and loyalty program.
1st checked bags are complimentary for:
- Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator™ and Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines operated flights)
- AAdvantage Gold
- oneworld Ruby
- Alaska MVP members
And when traveling to: Cap Haitien, Haiti (CAP), San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL), Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL), Leon, Mexico (BJX), Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA), Kingston, Jamaica (KIN), San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP), Managua, Nicaragua (MGA), Mexico City, Mexico (MEX), Monterrey, Mexico (MTY), Panama City, Panama (PTY), Port Au Prince, Haiti (PAP), Santiago, Dominican Rep (STI), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ), Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU), Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS).
1st and 2nd checked bags are complimentary for:
- AAdvantage Platinum
- Oneworld Sapphire members
- Alaska Airlines MVP Gold
- Confirmed Business Class customers
And when traveling to: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Japan, Peru, Panama, South Korea.
1st, 2nd and 3rd checked bags are complimentary for:
- Confirmed First Class customers on 3-cabin aircraft*
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum
- oneworld Emerald
- Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K
- Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders (1st – 5th bags free of charge)
- Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel
*For tickets purchased beginning March 29, 2016
For more information, head to the American Airlines baggage page.
Hi am I allowed to have 3 free check-in luggage from Springfield, Mo to Manila Philippines
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for your question. How many complementary checked bags you can take depends on your passenger status – please refer to the list above.
Have a great flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
This information is USELESS without an updated link to the site.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. We’ve tried to provide a comprehensive overview of American Airlines’ baggage policies within this article, and will add a link in for extra clarity 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
Best,
The liligo.com team