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What is the Baggage Policy for American Airlines?

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American Airlines Baggage Policy

Decoding American Airlines Baggage Policy was never a crucial task for savvy travelers. In recent years, AA has updated its baggage policy to the convenience of its passengers. They bring to the table what’s required by the passengers. The baggage policy has various rules and regulations with varying rules across different routes and ticket classes. Knowing what you should carry and how much it will cost makes your travel budget-friendly and problem-free. AA has curated this policy very carefully, as it affects millions of passengers yearly. Let’s unpack the important details of American Airline Baggage Policy including allowances, fees, and restrictive items.

What does American Airlines Baggage Policy Convey? 

American Airlines Baggage Policy is a set of procedures that have been devised by them for passenger luggage to streamline their boarding. Knowing the policy well should provide peaceful assurance for being able to control one's luggage efficiently. Baggage allowances depend on fare type. Based on these fare types, the airline allows you to carry checked bags, personal items, and carry-on bags without any charge. 

Checked Baggage Policy

When traveling with AA, to/from all regions except Australia or New Zealand-

  • The passengers can carry checked bags with 
    • 62 inches or 158 cm in dimensions. 
    • 50 lbs or 23 kgs of weight. 
  • Passengers traveling through first or business class can carry 
    • free checked bags with 70 lbs or 32 kg of weight not more. 
    • Excess checked bags with 50 lbs or kgs of weight are liable for a fixed charge. 
  • For passengers traveling to/ from Australia or New Zealand. The checked bag should have 
    • Dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm) 
    • Weight of 70lbs (32kgs) for free bags and 50 lbs (or 23kg) for charged excess bags

American Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy

Carry-on bags are also restricted in some dimensions. The dimensions of your carry-on bags include your bag handles and wheels. 

  • The dimensions should not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Make sure that you carry a bag that fits in the sizer at the airport without any issue. 
  • Further, for more clarity, the dimensions in centimeters are 56, 36, and 23. 

What Items are Restricted by American Airlines to Carry on Board?

American Airlines abides by TSA's rules and FAA guidelines. So, for safety purposes, passengers are restricted from carrying a few items with them as per the guidelines. These items are- 

  • Alcoholic beverages over 70% by volume
  • Batteries
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • Firearms or ammunition
  • Flammable liquids or solids
  • Hoverboards
  • Marijuana (regardless of local laws)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices
  • Smart bags with nonremovable batteries
  • Stun guns and shocking devices

What are American Airlines Baggage Fees? 

American Airlines all published baggage charges apply at every check-in location. The base rates are based on your flight dates and destinations and it does not show the applicable taxes.

Carry On Allowance Fees

American Airlines maintains a straightforward carry-on policy, allowing passengers to carry one small bag and one personal item charge-free regardless of the class type. This policy helps in simplifying the boarding process, making sure passengers have their essential items within their reach.

Checked Baggage Fees and Allowances

Latest updates indicate changes in the American Airlines Baggage Fees, affecting all tickets made from November last year onwards. Here are the current fees for checked baggage applied by these airlines.

  • For domestic travel within the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands-
    • First checked bag: $40 ($35 if paid online)
    • Second checked bag: $45
  • For travel to/from Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana-
    • First checked bag: $35
    • Second checked bag: $45

Note- These fees are non-refundable and apply per person each way. Even when you get an upgrade that includes free checked bags, the original fee will not be refunded. 

Does American Airlines allow free Checked Bags? 

American Airlines rewards loyal customers through its AAdvantage® program and its association with the oneworld® alliance by granting them generous allowances in checked baggage:

  • Free Checked Bags Perks
    • Oneworld® Ruby and AAdvantage Gold® - 1 free checked bag
    • Oneworld® Sapphire and AAdvantage Platinum® and - 2 free checked bags
    • AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, Platinum Pro® status and oneworld® Emerald- 3 free checked bags
  • Premium Cabin Perks
    • Confirmed Domestic First and Business class- 2 free checked bags
    • Confirmed Flagship® First and Flagship® Business Plus- Three free checked bags 

Essential Tips For American Airlines Baggage Policy

Familiarizing yourself with the baggage allowance before getting into any packing based on your elite status level and class of ticket is a good idea.

  • Prepay your baggage fee online to avoid added costs for domestic flights. 
  • Hard-shell cases are recommended for sports equipment that may be expensive.
  • Check-in earlier than usual when traveling through special items or pets.
  • Keep in-flight medication that is of use and any other valuables you can think of in your carry-on.
  • Save baggage claim receipts for at least forty-five days. 
  • Become acquainted with size and weight restrictions for the route you'll be taking.

How much does American Airlines Charge for Overweight Bags? 

American Airlines oversize and overweight baggage does not allow any checked bag above 100 lbs or 45 kg in weight on any operated flight. For passengers traveling through Business and Domestic First confirmed ones can carry 2 free checked bags up to 70lbs/32 kgs in weight. 

Region

Over 70 lbs / 32 kgs –

100 lbs / 45 kgs

Over 53 lbs / 24 kgs –

70 lbs / 32 kgs

Over 50 lbs / 23 kgs –

53 lbs / 24 kgs

Europe, Israel, Qatar

Not accepted

$100

$30

Cuba

Not accepted

$200

$30

Between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada

$200

$100

$30

Mexico / Caribbean (excluding Cuba) / Central and South America*

$200

$100

$30

China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand^ and Australia^

$450 (Not accepted to/from Australia)

$100

$30

Does AA Offer any Baggage Allowance Benefits to Military Members? 

American Airlines finds pride in serving the military members. These people fight hard to maintain this freedom to fly. To show appreciation for their work, AA offers them special benefits and discounts. Any military member with proper ID gets to board the plane in Group 1 with AA's passengers first. 

Military Baggage Policy

Active personnel are entitled to check in an unlimited number of bags free of charge provided the military ID and military orders are presented at the check-in counter:

  • If traveling under orders, the limit is set to 5 free bags
  • Up to 100 lbs. and 126 inches (width + length + height) for travel on or before April 16, in the year 2024, and bags weighing no more than 100 lbs. with a maximum of 115 inches (width + length + height) for trips after April 17, in the year 2024
  • Baggage checked for personal or other recreational journeys
  • An allowance is made for up to 3 bags at no cost
  • Bags of no more than 50 lbs. and a combination of maximum dimensions of 62 inches (width + length + height)
  • Military dependents traveling under orders enjoy all the privileges bestowed upon military personnel, given that they produce:
    • Their Military Dependent ID
    • A copy of active orders 

What are American Airlines Pet Travel Regulations? 

Carry-on pets

With American Airlines, one pet carrier can be brought as a carry-on provided:

  • A carry-on pet fee is paid
  • For the whole flight, the pet must be in the carrier and under the seat in front.
  • You may carry one additional item:
  • Personal items: purse and small handbag; or
  • A carry-on bag that conforms with requirements and fits into the overhead bin

Checked pets

Whenever you check a pet, you must:

Call Reservations at least 48 hours before travel.

Check-in at the ticket counter with your official orders.

Show up for check-in extra early: at least 2 hours (but not more than 4 hours) before your flight.

Complete a checklist with an agent.

Provide a health certificate.

Pet Travel Fees

Service

Fee

Checked pets for Active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only*

$200 per kennel

$150 to/from Brazil

Carry-on pet

$150 per kennel

Cargo pet

Varies and fees will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Service animals

No charge

What are American Airlines Baggage Policy Rules for Passengers with Children? 

We are dedicated to providing the best possible services for every traveler so that you and your children can travel comfortably and securely. Please give a generous time frame for check-in and ensure that all travel documentation is ready. Proof of age may be demanded for children under 18, and this may require the production of a birth certificate.

  • Families traveling with children under two years of age may request early boarding at the gate.
  • One diaper bag is allowed as a carry-on for every child.

Carry-on luggage and Checked Baggage

If you are a shared-seated infant or child on an international flight, you will receive a full-fare ticket. Infants can be checked in one piece of luggage at the adult rate for their first piece of checked luggage. 

Strollers Expand 

  • For strollers, each ticketed passenger may check in one stroller and one car seat free of charge. Strollers above 20 lbs/9 kg need to be checked at the ticket counter.
  • All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding.
  • If you have both a car seat and a stroller, on board only one item can be checked at the gate.

Additional accessories expand

  • Breast pumps and a soft-sided, small, cooler of breast milk are not part of your carry-on or personal items.
  • Playpens, wagons, cribs, and pack-and-play count as ordinary bags.
  • If any of these exceed carry-on limits, they will ultimately incur regular fees. 

How can I Track My Baggage with American Airlines?

The purpose of the American Airlines baggage tracker tool is to allow tracking of your baggage from check-in through landing. To do this:

  • Go to the baggage-tracking page of the American Airlines website.
  • Enter your last name and your confirmation code.
  • Click Search, and the status of your bags will be displayed. 

Conclusion

The baggage policy regarding passenger convenience, efficient operations, and safety concerns requires compromise. It is important that one has knowledge about his rights regarding checked-in luggage before setting off on a journey. There can be changes on the subject of fees and other policies; hence, it is advisable to check for current relevant rules and stipulations before making a booking.

Also Read: American Airlines Student Discount

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