American Airlines · Bags & fees
American Airlines bags, fees & check-in
What you'll actually pay American before you board: checked and carry-on bags, weight and size limits, Basic Economy rules, change fees and check-in deadlines. Plain numbers, stated assumptions, and a date you can trust.
Unless noted, prices are for domestic U.S. Main Cabin (standard economy), per bag, each way, prepaid online or in the app. Paying at the airport adds $5 per bag. Basic Economy adds $5 per bag on top. International allowances, AAdvantage status, and co-branded cards change these numbers, and each is flagged below.
Checked bag fees
American charges per checked bag on domestic itineraries, and the fee climbs with each bag. Prepaying online or in the app saves $5 per bag versus paying at the airport. Basic Economy pays $5 more per bag again.
| Bag | Prepaid online | At airport |
|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 | $50 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | $60 |
| 3rd checked bag | $200 | $200 |
| Basic Economy 1st bag | $50 | $55 |
| Basic Economy 2nd bag | $60 | $65 |
Main Cabin figures took effect Apr 9, 2026; the Basic Economy $5 surcharge applies to tickets bought May 18, 2026 and later. AAdvantage status members and most AAdvantage credit cardholders get the first checked bag free on domestic flights.
Standard allowance applies up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Heavier or larger bags add the surcharges in the next section. Australia and New Zealand routes allow up to 70 lbs.
Carry-on & personal item
Every American fare, including Basic Economy, includes one free carry-on plus one free personal item. This is American's main carry-on difference from United, where domestic Basic Economy gets the personal item only.
Unlike some carriers, American lets Basic Economy passengers bring a full-size carry-on at no charge. The Basic Economy trade-offs are seat selection, changes and boarding group, not the overhead bin. See Basic Economy rules below.
Overweight & oversize fees
These surcharges stack on top of the standard checked bag fee, and the exact amount varies by destination, so a heavy first bag at the airport can run well over $150. Bags above the top tier aren't accepted.
| Bag exceeds | Surcharge (added) |
|---|---|
| 50–53 lbs (slightly over) | +$30 |
| 53–70 lbs (overweight) | +$100 |
| 70–100 lbs (overweight) | +$200 |
| Over 100 lbs | Not accepted |
| 62–115 linear inches (oversize) | +$30 (62–65 in) or +$200 (65–115 in) |
| Over 115 linear inches | Not accepted |
Overweight and oversize surcharges vary by destination. International and South America routes run toward the high end (heaviest bags up to ~$450 on some routes). A bag both overweight and oversize can incur both surcharges. Premium cabins and AAdvantage elites get a higher weight allowance.
Basic Economy rules
American's cheapest fare keeps the free carry-on but gives up flexibility, free seat selection and boarding priority. From May 18, 2026 even AAdvantage status members pay for seat selection on Basic Economy and lose complimentary upgrades.
| What you get | Basic Economy | Main Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Free | Free |
| Full-size carry-on | Free | Free |
| Advance seat selection | Paid | Free |
| Flight changes | Not allowed | No change fee |
| Checked bag | +$5 per bag vs Main Cabin | Standard fees |
| Boarding | Last group (Group 7) | Earlier groups |
Basic Economy is non-changeable apart from the standard 24-hour-after-purchase window (when booked 2+ days before departure). Status members keep priority boarding but, from May 2026, no longer get free seats or upgrades on Basic Economy.
Changes, cancellations & seats
American charges no change fee on Main Cabin and above for domestic and short-haul international flights, plus most long-haul routes from the Americas. You pay only the fare difference. Basic Economy is the carve-out.
| Action | Main Cabin & up | Basic Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Change fee (domestic / short-haul intl.) | $0 + fare diff. | Not allowed |
| Change fee (long-haul from Americas) | $0 + fare diff. | Not allowed |
| Change fee (originating outside Americas) | Up to $400 + fare diff. | Not allowed |
| 24-hour free cancel | Yes | Yes (booked 2+ days out) |
| Advance seat selection | Free (paid for extra-legroom) | Paid |
No change fee covers North America, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and most long-haul routes departing the Americas. Flights originating outside North and South America can still carry change fees up to $400. Basic Economy can't be changed after the 24-hour window.
Check-in & bag-drop deadlines
Miss these cutoffs and American can deny boarding. They apply whether or not you're checking a bag.
| Flight type | Check-in / bag-drop by |
|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S.) | 45 min before departure |
| International | 60 min before departure |
| Select intl. airports (e.g. Delhi) | 75 min before departure |
| St. Croix, St. Thomas (USVI) | 90 min before departure |
Online and app check-in opens 24 hours before departure (up to 45 min before domestic, 90 min before international). Even with online check-in, you must still meet the airport bag-drop cutoff. A few airports require earlier check-in than the standard 60 minutes.
Onboard experience
What the seat and service actually look like, by cabin. Pitch is the legroom measure (front-to-back); most specs vary by aircraft type and route.
| Cabin | Seat pitch | What's notable |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cabin | 30–31″ | Standard seat. Free non-alcoholic drinks; free high-speed Wi-Fi. |
| Main Cabin Extra | 33–36″ | Extra legroom, earlier boarding, free drinks. |
| Premium Economy | 38″ | Wider seat, more recline, amenity kit, upgraded meals (long-haul). |
| Flagship Business / First | Lie-flat | 180° lie-flat on long-haul, direct-aisle access on newer jets, AC power. |
Basic Economy is a fare type, not a separate seat. You sit in the Main Cabin. Premium Economy and Flagship cabins run mainly on widebody long-haul aircraft. American is removing seatback screens on most narrowbody jets in favor of streaming to your own device, so in-seat screens are increasingly long-haul only.
Where American flies
American runs the world's largest fleet, about 1,030 mainline aircraft, across a hub system anchored by Dallas/Fort Worth, so most itineraries connect through one of these airports.
Best time to fly American
These are seasonal patterns, not bookable fares. Sign in to search live American fares for your exact dates.
Seasonal patterns are typical for U.S. routes and vary by destination; they're guidance for planning, not bookable prices.
How to skip the fees
American baggage FAQ
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