What is the American airlines baggage policy?

One of the major airlines of the United States is American Airlines which is widely chosen by the passengers for amazing reasons. Not even their services and facilities but the policies are also passengers friendly. The staff will let you know the true meaning of hospitality and this is the reason you must travel through this and understand its baggage policy. Let's understand it together.

• This airline has a very easy to understand baggage policy for carry-on, checked and special baggage.
• For the loyalty program members, there are certain benefits and flexibility as well.
• The allowance depends upon your fare type, your route, destination and even the size of your luggage.
• For some fear types this policy is extremely rigid because they even have to pay for the checked baggage. Let's see the details to understand the American airline baggage rules.

What is the American Baggage Allowance for Checked Bags?

Important Notes on Allowances & Fees:

Basic Economy: For most routes, these fares do not include a free check bag, and the fee for the first bag is applied. For international flights, for international flights to some regions (eg, trans-Atlantic, trans-pacific), the first checked bag may also be free on the basic economy.

AAdvantagth position:

• AAdvantage Gold: A free check bag on most routes.
• AAdvantage Platinum and Platinum Pro: Two free check bags on most routes.
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum: Three free check bags on most routes.
• Additional Bag: A fee is charged for any checked bag beyond your free allowance. This fee varies significantly depending on your passage.

Overweight and oversized bag:

• Overweight (51–70 pounds or 24-32 kg): A fee of about $ 100- $ 200 applies to the basis of the route.
• Overweight (71–100 pounds or 33–45 kg): A fee of approximately $ 200- $ 450 applies, and these bags cannot be accepted on some routes. More than 100 pounds (45 kg) bags are usually not accepted.
• Oversized (63–125 or 160–317 cm): A fee of about $ 150- $ 200 applies. No more than 126 inches (320 cm) bags are accepted in linear dimensions.

Combined fee:

• If a bag is both overweight and oversize, in addition to any standard goods fee, high levels of two fees are generally applied.

• In this airline either for domestic flights or for American airline baggage allowance international ones; you have to pay for your checked bags.
• For every cabin class you are supposed to carry only two bags that will be paid. But, the weight will be different like if you are from business or first class then you are allowed to carry one bag of up to 32 kgs. Meanwhile for others the American airline baggage weight policy is only 23 kgs per bag.

What is the American Airlines Allowance for Carry-ons?

Important Notes & Exceptions

• The item is not counted: In addition to your carry-on and individual items, you can also bring board items such as diaper bags (for each baby), a small bag with breast milk, a hair safety seat, a coat, an umbrella, or accessories (eg, wheelchair, walker, crutches).
• Apparel Bag: A soft-sided apparel bag that does not exceed 130 cm (51 inches) in linear dimensions can be replaced for your carry-on bag.
• Regional flights: On small, regional American eagle flights, overhead bin location is limited. If your carry-on bag is larger than individual items dimensions, it may need to be "valued" at the gate, where it is tagged and checked for free, and on arrival you returned to the aircraft.
• Gate-checking: If your carry-on bag is larger than the permissible dimensions, it will be tested at the gate, and standard check goods may apply.

American Airlines Additional Baggage Fees (per one-way flight)

What is the American Airlines Allowance for Carry-ons?

• For the American flight baggage policy carry-on bags, one bag and one personal item like your laptop or handbag with no extra charges is allowed.
• You must take care of the size as it must fit under your seat.
• The weight allowance is not specifically given under aa carry on policy.

Are There Any Fees Applicable?

• For aa domestic baggage allowance flights, the first bag will be $40 costly and if you prepay then it will be $35 online. For the next bag, you have to pay $45.
• If you are flying internationally then fees will be different depending on the destination like $35 to $75 for the first bag.
• First of all, overweight and oversized baggage is not at all allowed. But, if the staff is allowing you, prepare yourself to pay $100 to $200.
• The American airline baggage policy for basic economy is quite rigid has they are supposed to pay for each and everything related to the baggage.
• Make sure whenever you choose the extra baggage and whenever you even pay for the aa international baggage policy, you do it online beforehand to avoid all the additional charges at the airport.

What if we’re Traveling with Children and Pets?

• Only dogs and cats of specific size and age are allowed with you as carry-on baggage.
• If the dogs are fully trained then they can fly in the cabin without any additional charges.
• Make sure your pets are not bothering others and they are not roaming from here to there.
• The American airlines baggage allowance is only lenient for the pets of US military personnel who are allowed at the ticket counter.
• Along with your baggage, if you are travelling with your children then one stroller and one car seat are allowed in the flight without any additional charges.

Pets and children in the Cabin vs. Baggage Compartment

Children on an Aircraft

Children should always travel in cabin. The specific rules for his visit depend on his age:

• Babies (usually under 2 years of age): Either parents or guardians lap (with a lap belt) or a separate seat on a separate seat can travel on a separate seat with an approved child safety seat (car seat). Airlines may charge less rent for lap infants on international flights.
• Children (2 years and above): Need to keep your seat. They should be safely tied with a seatbelt or approved child safety seat during takeoff, landing and disturbance.
• Unacceptable minor: Airlines provide a dedicated service for children traveling alone, which ensures that the child is overseen by the airline employees till the arrival of check-in. This service is mandatory for children traveling alone under a specific age (eg, 5–11 years).

Pets on an Aircraft

The following table provides a common comparison for pets based on airline policies. For the most accurate and updated information, it is always important to consult the pet travel policy of a specific airline.

What if the Luggage is Extremely Late?

• If you have been waiting for your luggage and didn't receive it to an extent then it is a case of delayed baggage. During this situation, you are supposed to file a report for your bag under the aa baggage policy.
• You have to visit the baggage claim through scanning QR code. Enter your details like last name and booking confirmation number which will help you to track your delayed luggage.
• And, if the delayed bag is damaged as well then you need to file a complaint of it too in order to get the compensation for your loss.

What if the Baggage is Missing or Lost?

• If it is not a case of delayed baggage but there is a situation of missing luggage, you need to file a complaint and they will start working for it within 24 hours.
• They might provide compensation if the entire bag is lost but the American air baggage policy says that when the items from inside your luggage are missing then they will not be responsible for anything.
• The aa airlines baggage allowance has also the facility to get your luggage in the lost and found area if you missed it at the airport. It will be present over there for a specific time and you need to claim that.

What is the Criteria for Loyalty Program Members?

• If you are a loyalty program member then there will be some benefits for you like free aa baggage allowance for certain tiers like platinum and executive platinum holders can carry three free bags.
• You will also get an advantage of priority boarding but everything will be depending upon your membership status.
• You as a membership holder will get the opportunity to earn extra miles.
• Moreover, you will also get your priority luggage tag which will make you special and under their priority list as well of aa airline baggage policy.
• Make sure you are not travelling with partner airlines to enjoy the benefit of membership as baggage benefits will not be applicable to the code share flights.

What are the Things to Keep in Mind?

• Always travel lightly with this airline as the baggage is not free for any class.
• Make sure you know the size and weight restrictions before packing for your flight.
• The aa international flights baggage allowance is a little bit strict as they don't entertain the overweight luggage during some seasons as well. So, beware and act accordingly.
• When you are travelling with pets, children, and special items then make sure you have read all the terms and conditions properly.
• Keep an eye on the list of restricted items and if they are with you then contact the airline and ask for the additional charges if any and the special packaging or handling.