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American Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
Checked (hold) baggage included with every American Airlines fare brand, plus the rules that decide what happens at the airport — from the official policy, checked 30 October 2026.
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana) | 1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026 |
| Main Cabin (same regions) | 1st bag $50 ($45 if paid online), 2nd bag $60 ($55 if paid online) |
| Premium Economy / Business / First (U.S. domestic) | 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $0 per official fee tables |
| All fares (3rd bag, U.S./Canada) | 3rd bag $200, 4th+ bag $200 |
Fees per person each way. Overweight tiers on the official page start above 50 lbs / 23 kg and oversize tiers above 62 in / 158 cm, indicating the standard limits. Save $5 on 1st and 2nd bag fees when paying online on aa.com or the app.
Weight concept or piece concept?
American Airlines uses the piece concept: your allowance is counted in bags (pieces), and each piece has its own weight and size limit. Two lighter bags are not automatically the same as one heavier bag — check the per-piece limit in the table below.
In plain terms
Reading the table from the cheapest fare up: with Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana) you can check 1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026; with Main Cabin (same regions) you can check 1st bag $50 ($45 if paid online), 2nd bag $60 ($55 if paid online); with Premium Economy / Business / First (U.S. domestic) you can check 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $0 per official fee tables; with All fares (3rd bag, U.S./Canada) you can check 3rd bag $200, 4th+ bag $200. Anything beyond the line for your own fare is charged under the excess rules, so the fare you booked — not the one you nearly booked — is the one that decides what you pay at the desk.
Frequently asked questions
How many checked bags can I take on American Airlines, and how heavy can they be?
Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana): 1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026; Main Cabin (same regions): 1st bag $50 ($45 if paid online), 2nd bag $60 ($55 if paid online); Premium Economy / Business / First (U.S. domestic): 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $0 per official fee tables; All fares (3rd bag, U.S./Canada): 3rd bag $200, 4th+ bag $200 Fees per person each way. Overweight tiers on the official page start above 50 lbs / 23 kg and oversize tiers above 62 in / 158 cm, indicating the standard limits. Save $5 on 1st and 2nd bag fees when paying online on aa.com or the app.
Does American Airlines count checked baggage by weight or by pieces?
American Airlines uses the piece concept: your allowance is counted in bags (pieces), and each piece has its own weight and size limit. Two lighter bags are not automatically the same as one heavier bag — check the per-piece limit in the table below.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.
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