Airlines collect billions of dollars through the baggage fee every year.
If you do not read the baggage policy carefully, there’s a chance you will experience the same firsthand.
Extra charges may upset your travel budget and disturb the whole trip.
Therefore, become a smart air passenger in 2020.
This article delves into the baggage policy of the world’s largest air carrier, American Airlines.
More people travel on American Airlines flights than any other airline. And, did you know that the airline now allows one free carry-on bag to the Basic Economy fare-type?
Do not add the burden of additional baggage charges to your flight fare.
Read the below and use the information to know more such baggage updates by American Airlines.
American Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy
Carry-on Baggage
Number of Pieces
You can bring one small bag as a carry-on and one personal item inside the cabin.
The luggage must comply with the overall dimensions and must fit into the overhead bin easily.
Dimensions
The maximum overall dimensions of the carry-on bag are 45 inches. If you break it down into length, width and height, it is 22 inches, 14 inches, and 9 inches, respectively. In centimeters, these figures are 56, 36, and 23.
You have to check-in any item that is too big to fit inside the overhead bin or underneath the seat.
They will then be shifted to the cargo compartment. The baggage must also fit inside the sizer at the airport.
Soft-sided Garment Bag:
American Airlines allows a passenger to carry a soft-sided garment bag as carry-on luggage.
The linear dimensions of such a bag must be equal to or not exceeding 51 inches or 130 cm. Please note that the linear dimension means the sum of length, width, and height.
Musical Instruments:
Further, you can also bring a musical instrument on board so long it fits in the overhead bin or under the seat. Also note that it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Therefore, reach the airport in time, especially while traveling on popular international routes such as Boston to New Delhi flights.
If the musical instrument doesn’t fit inside the overhead bin, there is an alternative.
However, it will cost you added travel fare. You may buy a flight ticket for a bulkhead window seat that is directly next to your seat.
Bowling Ball and Bowling Ball Cleaners:
American Airlines allows a maximum of 3 bowling balls as a carry-on. Also, note that the case must fit under the seat.
More importantly, remember that American Airlines doesn’t allow you to place bowling balls in the overhead bin.
Further, you cannot carry bowling ball cleaners with high amounts of acetone or if they have alcohol content exceeding 70%.
Parachute
American Airlines allows parachute as carry-on luggage if they meet the size requirement.
Moreover, they must not contain dangerous goods such as gas cylinders, etc.
Personal Items
Such items may include a laptop, briefcase, purse, etc. Also, there are additional items that a passenger may carry on free of charge.
This category contains items like wraps, hats, coats, and other outerwear.
Dimensions and Size:
The size of the personal item is smaller than the cabin baggage. Please note that the personal item that you carry must fit under the seat in front of you or the overhead bin.
Further, the dimensions of the personal item must be 18 x 14 x 8 inches in length, breadth, and height, respectively. This is the maximum limit.
Also, you may bring:
- Book
- Pillow or blanket
- Newspaper
- Duty-free items
- A small bag of food
- Medical devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and so on.
- An approved safety seat for lap-infant or children with a ticket.
American Airlines Cabin Luggage: Things to Remember
1) Please note that everything you are carrying inside the cabin must be TSA-approved. Objects such as meat cleavers and other sharp objects are strictly prohibited.
2) American Airlines doesn’t allow bottles with liquid exceeding 3.4 ounces onboard. However, there are some exceptions, such as certain medications, baby formula, and so on.
3) Also, American Airlines allows medical exceptions. For instance, a diagnosed passenger may bring an oxygen tank inside the cabin even if it exceeds the allowed dimensions.
4) The origin or destination country may modify the American Airlines rules and regulations. In other words, there may be country-specific restrictions. For instance, if you board flights to India from the USA, you cannot bring ski poles.
5) American Airlines allows you to carry pets. You can carry them in place of your standard carry-on. Also, your carrier must meet the size restrictions. Moreover, the weight of the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds with your pet in it.
American Airlines Check-in Baggage Policy
1) Number of Pieces
American Airlines’ standard number of baggage pieces is 2. However, you can check-in up to 10 bags if your flights are domestic, transatlantic, or transpacific.
On the other hand, if your travel fare is for Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, or South America, you can check-in up to 5 bags.
2) Dimensions and Weight
The linear dimensions of the bag must be equal to or below 62 inches or 158 cm. Therefore, sum up the length, width, and height of your bag and compare the figure.
American Airlines have set the maximum baggage weight according to the fare-type or flight fare deal.
If you travel in the First Class or Business Class, you can carry up to 70 pounds or 32 kg of baggage. For the remaining fare-types, the weight limit is 50 pounds or 23 kg.
3) Complimentary Bags
American Airlines offers up to 3 complimentary check-in bags to some passengers. Such passengers include confirmed First customers on 3-cabin aircraft, active U.S. Military personnel, OneWorld Emerald members, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members, and a few others.
Fee Structure for Checked Luggage:
If your fare offer is for travel within the USA, you can check in the first bag for $30, whereas the second bag will cost you $40.
The same price applies to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.
Next, if the fare deal is for Brazil, South America, or Transpacific, you may check-in two bags free of cost.
Further, you book tickets for transatlantic routes. You can check the first bag for free. However, the second bag will cost you $100.
1) Excess Baggage:
if you have extra baggage, then pay attention to the below-listed important information.
- Large, non-collapsible strollers must be check-in at the ticket counter. The same goes for strollers that weigh more than 20 pounds.
- A valid health certificate is a must while traveling with pets as checked-in luggage.
- A particular bag may carry multiple baggage charges. For instance, if you check in an extra bag that is overweight, You will have to pay the second bag check-in fee along with the overweight fee.
2) Excess Baggage Fees:
If you buy airline tickets for domestic USA travel or travel Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii third and fourth bags will cost you $150 and $200, respectively.
The excess fee structure for the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America is also the same.
Further, if you travel to Brazil, the third and the fourth bag will cost $85 each. Finally, traveling on transpacific and transatlantic routes, the fee for third and fourth bags is $200 each.
3) Overweight Baggage Fee:
American Airlines charges overweight baggage fees if the weight of the baggage exceeds the standard baggage limit. If the weight of the bag is 51 pounds to 70 pounds (24-30 kg), a fee of $100 is applicable.
Also, if the weight is between 71 pounds and 100 pounds (33-46 kg), a fee of $200 is applicable.
4) Oversized Baggage Fee:
If the linear dimensions of the check-in baggage are more than 62 to 125 inches or 158 to 320 cm, American Airlines charge a fee. The amount depends on the travel routes.
Passengers have to pay $150 for Brazil and transatlantic. On the other hand, domestic U.S., Caribbean, Transpacific, South America, and Central America flights carry a fee of $200.
5) Restricted Items:
American Airlines restricts certain Items. You can find a list for the same below:
- Printer and toner cartridges that weigh 16 ounces or more while traveling on flights to or from Canada.
- Internal Combustion Engines such as chainsaws, gas-powered weed eaters, and outboard motors, etc.
- Camping and outdoor equipment such as camp fuel cylinders, strike-anywhere matches, insect sprays, camp stoves, propane heaters, etc.
- Explosives such as signal flares, fireworks, gunpowder, sparklers, and so on.
- Flammable liquids or solids. These include lighter refills, fuels, paints, etc.
- Household items such as drain cleaners, corrosive materials, solvents, etc.
- Pool chemicals and hazardous materials such as gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances, etc.
So, that sums up all the essential information that will help you next time you travel on an American Airlines flight.
Avoid baggage fees, and carefully read the terms and conditions, especially on international flight deals.
For even more detailed information, do not forget to visit the official airline website.