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American Airlines New Carry-On Policy | Size Limits, Rules & Fees (2025)

Did American Airlines Change Its Carry-on Policy?

Yes, recently American Airlines has introduced a major change in its carry-on baggage policy, which is aimed at making the process of embarkation easier and faster. “As of October 6, 2025, the airline has taken away the outdated metal bag sizers at the airport gates in the United States.” This change is a transition to a less strict, more standardized luggage check-in at boarding gates, to a more lenient, passenger-friendly system and without altering the size limits of carry-on baggage.

Background on American Airlines Carry-On Rules

Since the years, the American Airlines, as well as most airlines, have been mandating passengers to adhere to certain size restrictions when it comes to carry-on luggage in order to provide an equitable allocation of overhead bin space and an efficient boarding process. As per the American Airlines New Baggage Policythe usual allowance is not increased:

  • Carry-on bag: The largest size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles) that can fit in the overhead compartments.
  • Personal item: Should fit in the seat in front of the passenger and should be not more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

The passengers are to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item.

What Changed?

Conventionally, most airlines would have physical bag sizers at gateways and call on passengers to physically place their carry-on in a metal frame in order to demonstrate their compliance. This always led to stress, waiting time and sometimes getting into a heated exchange due to tight baggage or slightly bigger one.

As per the American Airlines new carry on policy the airline settled on the fact that these metal sizers had to be eliminated on a gate-by-gate basis. Rather, now, the gate agents will make their own judgment on whether a carry-on bag will fit within the given allowances. If there's uncertainty, staff are instructed to give passengers the benefit of the doubt and “err on the side of the traveler”. This modification can enable a more efficient, faster process of boarding the aircrafts and decreased friction and inconvenience with checking baggage at the gate on the last minute.

Nonetheless, the limits in the size of carry-ons have not been eased. Over-sized bags still will require checking, either at the lobby prior to the boarding of passengers or upon the discovery at the gate by staff choice.

Rationale Behind American Airlines New Carry-On Policy

Elimination of bag sizers is one way of more general changes American Airlines is undertaking to improve the customer boarding experience. The use of metal sizers had also earned a reputation of creating end-of-time stress, and board delays, as passengers were unable to fit baggage into tight frames.

Through the discretion of the gate agents and lessening of strict physical inspections at the gate, the American Airlines New Bag Policy aims to:

  • Speed up boarding times.
  • Lessen stress and conflicts among the passengers.
  • Enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Ensure effective utilization of overhead bin space using flexibility.

Other new American Airlines boarding advances are that families with young children will have longer preboarding time, five more minutes will be added to the boarding gate so that the flow is smoother and new gate technology will control the boarding area to avoid cases of early boarding.

What Should Passengers Do?

The size of the standard carry-ons should also still be followed by passengers to ensure that they do not have to check their bags at the last moment. The airline continues to offer bag sizers at terminal lobbies and check-in counters to allow self-checking.

It is a wise idea that passengers should weigh their hand luggage at home before coming to the airport. When at the gate, one should not feel the pressure of putting a bag that is of the specified size in a tight metallic frame. The gate staff, however, will interfere in case a bag obviously exceeds the allowance or in the event of lacking overhead bin space.

What are the Rules for Checked Baggage on American Airlines?

American airlines baggage policies include special allowance, size and weight limitation, excess, overweight and oversized baggage charges, premium passenger and elite status. Here is a detailed overview:

  • Domestic, transatlantic, and transpacific flights operated by American Airlines give its passengers the ability to check a maximum of 10 bags.
  • Inbound, outbound or transit to and out of Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Brazil, 5 checked bags are permitted per customer, subject to seasonal and route restrictions.
  • In most destinations other than the Australia and New Zealand, the total length, width and height of a checked bag are 62 inches (158 cm) in maximum.
  • Economy class baggage departure weight maximum is typically 50 lbs (23 kg).
  • In case of flights between Australia and New Zealand, the limit in weight is 70 lbs (32 kg) in free checked baggage in premium cabins such as First and Business.

Fees and Status Benefits

  • Luggage bag fees are levied unless they are included in the type of ticket purchased or in the elite status privileges.
  • The AAdvantage members particularly Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum level and the Oneworld status members, can be given three free checked bags based on their status.
  • Free checked baggage is also offered to the premium cabin passengers.
  • Baggage fee waivers can also be provided to some credit card holders registered in AAdvantage.
  • Free checked bags are not always provided on Basic Economy fares.

Excess, Overweight, and Oversized Fees

  • Cases greater than sixty two inches in total size are oversized and are charged ($150-$200 by route).
  • Bags weighing more than 50 lbs, yet less than 70 lbs are subject to overweight charges approximately $100 to $200 according to route.
  • Most flights do not carry bags exceeding 70 lbs unless it is by special arrangement.
  • The size of bags exceeding 126 inches in overall size is not accepted.
  • The cost of excess baggage by route and fare is cumulative and there are several fees.

This all inclusive checked baggage policy indicates the efforts of the American Airlines to balance its customers, operational efficiency and adherence to international and national laws.​

What are the prohibited items on American Airlines?

Both carry-on and checked baggage at American Airlines is forbidden to include a vast number of things that could impact the safety of passengers and meet the requirements of TSA and FAA regulations. The list of prohibited items on American Airlines Carry-On Baggage and checked baggage are mentionedd below:

  • Explosives & Flammable Materials: Fireworks, gunpowder, and flares, and flammable liquids (paint, fuel, gas torches, lighters with fuel, matches) are either strictly prohibited in carry-on or checked luggage.
  • Weapons & Defense Sprays: It is only possible to carry firearms in the check baggage with an appropriate declaration and packaging. Tear gas, mace, pepper spray, and stun guns are also not allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.
  • Sharp Objects: Box cutters and some knives are not allowed in the cabin; some tools (drills, saws, hammers) and sporting equipment which can cause injuries are also prohibited.
  • Batteries & Electronics: Damaged batteries, any lithium battery greater than personal usage, and any device containing a spill able battery are prohibited. There can be some few spares of batteries of personal electronics which can be allowed with limitations.
  • Gases, Chemicals & Hazardous Materials: It does not permit the packing of compressed gases, bleach, insecticides, poisons, corrosives, radioactive material and bleach in your luggage.

Conclusion

The adjusted carry-on policy adopted by American Airlines, which will take effect on October 6, 2025, is the attempt of airline to make the boarding process more enjoyable and convenient without having to check the bags physically. The airline, by getting rid of metal bag sizers from the gates and giving agents the authority to decide, intends to lessen the stress, make the boarding faster, and elevate the level of customer satisfaction, all these things without changing the size limits that are in force. Passengers are still required to carry on items that correspond to the standard sizes, but they can already experience a more relaxed and flexible boarding procedure when flying with American ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Airlines.