Nov 21, 2016, 8:48 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Carry-On Baggage Limits
Strict enforcement directive issued 28 August 2015)
Strict enforcement directive issued 28 August 2015)
American Airlines Carry-on baggage (link)
Q. Why is AA suddenly becoming so picky about sizing bags?
A. AA formulates carry on baggage policy that meets FAA criteria as well as airline established criteria; these are submitted to the FAA and if approved become the airline's policy. If the airline repeatedly violated their FAA-approved policy, they can be held accountable by the FAA. Recently, during an FAA audit, AA was found to be violating its FAA-approved carry on policy.
What can I carry on?
You can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item per person (exception: infants. Exception: some regional aircraft have insufficient bin space for otherwise "legal" bags, so carry-on bags might be limited, or even prohibited. If the latter, they will usually be "valet checked" airside and delivered at the jetway before you enter the gate area.
Carry-on bag
Your carry-on bag should be: You can travel with horizontal rolling and/or hanging garment bags as your carry-on bag if: You can also carry on a soft-sided garment bag of up to 51in or 130cm (length + width + height)
Personal item
Your personal item must be smaller than your carry-on, able to fit under the seat in front of you and can include: Additional allowed items
You can also bring: Liquids and restricted items
TSA allows certain duty-free liquids through security in your carry-on bag if they’re properly packaged in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB). If you’re traveling with liquids or are unsure about any item, please contact the TSA.
For more, e.g. special items, etc. please use link
Q. Why is AA suddenly becoming so picky about sizing bags?
A. AA formulates carry on baggage policy that meets FAA criteria as well as airline established criteria; these are submitted to the FAA and if approved become the airline's policy. If the airline repeatedly violated their FAA-approved policy, they can be held accountable by the FAA. Recently, during an FAA audit, AA was found to be violating its FAA-approved carry on policy.
What can I carry on?
You can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item per person (exception: infants. Exception: some regional aircraft have insufficient bin space for otherwise "legal" bags, so carry-on bags might be limited, or even prohibited. If the latter, they will usually be "valet checked" airside and delivered at the jetway before you enter the gate area.
Carry-on bag
Your carry-on bag should be:
- Up to 45 inches (22 x 14 x 9 in or 115 centimeters (23 x 36 x 56 cm) including handles and wheels
- Able to fit comfortably into the sizer we’ve provided at the airport
- Please note, you’ll also need to be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin
- They fit comfortably in the bag sizer
- They measure up to 22" length x 14" width x 9" height or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
Personal item
Your personal item must be smaller than your carry-on, able to fit under the seat in front of you and can include:
- A purse
- A briefcase
- A laptop bag
- Similar items such as a tote
You can also bring:
- Outerwear such as coats, wraps and hats
- A book or newspaper
- A small bag of food to eat on the flight
- An approved safety seat for a lap or ticketed child
- A pillow or blanket
- An umbrella stroller for a lap or ticketed child
- A diaper bag for a lap or ticketed child
- Duty free items
- Assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, walkers, portable oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines etc.)
- Breast pump
TSA allows certain duty-free liquids through security in your carry-on bag if they’re properly packaged in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB). If you’re traveling with liquids or are unsure about any item, please contact the TSA.
For more, e.g. special items, etc. please use link
22 x 14 x 10
So today I took measurements of the sizer at my airport... There is obviously some slippage and subjectivity in the eye of (s)he who must be obeyed due to the open ended 1/4" lines outlining the baggage dimensions placed either horizontally or vertically. But, strictly speaking, the outside edge of the lines are 22' and 14". The depth is a definitive full 10 inches from the back board to the inner side of the metal tube running low laterally across the front of the sizer. This is the current sizer that I measured:
22 x 14 x 10
...We are given a 22 x 14 x 9 but there is some room to maneuver. We have 22" and 14" with a very subjective but limited amount of slippage. And there is definitely 10" of depth.
The subjectivity would be greatly reduced if the sizers were constructed, as Delta's, to form a full sided box.
Those on the margin should really test their bags in advance in all of the different positions to see which allows the most favorable view of its size if required to use the sizer at the gate.
So today I took measurements of the sizer at my airport... There is obviously some slippage and subjectivity in the eye of (s)he who must be obeyed due to the open ended 1/4" lines outlining the baggage dimensions placed either horizontally or vertically. But, strictly speaking, the outside edge of the lines are 22' and 14". The depth is a definitive full 10 inches from the back board to the inner side of the metal tube running low laterally across the front of the sizer. This is the current sizer that I measured:
22 x 14 x 10
...We are given a 22 x 14 x 9 but there is some room to maneuver. We have 22" and 14" with a very subjective but limited amount of slippage. And there is definitely 10" of depth.
The subjectivity would be greatly reduced if the sizers were constructed, as Delta's, to form a full sided box.
Those on the margin should really test their bags in advance in all of the different positions to see which allows the most favorable view of its size if required to use the sizer at the gate.
AA e-mail to customer re: carry on baggage
and
Comparison of USA airlines carry-on limits Apr '25 by Outdoor Gear Lab
and
Airline carry on variances and the new IATA recommended standard
and
New IATA recommended standard vs. current common
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AA carry on / carryon baggage rules & enforcement (master thd)
Jun 12, 2014, 4:34 pm
#91
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,073
I really don't see the problem with enforcing published limits. People should just be glad it's not like most international airlines where they have strict size and weight requirements. For instance, I was on a Qantas flight on Tuesday, and I saw that they had a scale/sizer combo with a 7 kg (15.4 lb) limit. How many people who fly domestically in the US consistently have a 22x14x9 bag with 15-18 pounds total? (Unless you're flying F9 or NK I suppose...
)
Jun 12, 2014, 4:57 pm
#92
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 127
On Monday, the man who was upset that he had to check the bag was PLT.
Jun 12, 2014, 9:29 pm
#94
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Jun 13, 2014, 12:58 am
#95
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
As a passenger, I have two choices.
First, buy a suitcase that fits easily in the overhead bin, but not the sizer, thus gaining more room to carry on my clothes, equipment, etc, and avoiding a checked bag fee if not elite.
Second, buy a suitcase that fits in the sizer, thus needing to check (and pay for if not elite) another bag for clothes, equipment, etc, and hope that the sizer is always enforced....
......I'll just go with buying an using a bag that fits in the overhead bin but not necessarily in the sizer.
First, buy a suitcase that fits easily in the overhead bin, but not the sizer, thus gaining more room to carry on my clothes, equipment, etc, and avoiding a checked bag fee if not elite.
Second, buy a suitcase that fits in the sizer, thus needing to check (and pay for if not elite) another bag for clothes, equipment, etc, and hope that the sizer is always enforced....
......I'll just go with buying an using a bag that fits in the overhead bin but not necessarily in the sizer.
Personally I don't find the difference in size between say a 20" bag that meets the rules and a 22" bag which doesn't to be worth the potential need to check.
Jun 13, 2014, 5:24 am
#96
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
I have a trip Wednesday & I’ll try to find a UA sizer (or an AA one) and see how it does. I’ll bring a tape & get the actual inside sizer dimensions if I can. The U122CX “looks” much smaller than my Tumi Alpha and I doubt it would get much attention at the gate if the new program is as aggressive as some think it is.
Jun 13, 2014, 7:53 am
#97
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,046
I haven’t tested it in a sizer, but the U122CX is spot on 9” deep & 14 “ wide. I placed it against a door on hardwood floor and using a yardstick, the height is 22.4-22.5”
I have a trip Wednesday & I’ll try to find a UA sizer (or an AA one) and see how it does. I’ll bring a tape & get the actual inside sizer dimensions if I can. The U122CX “looks” much smaller than my Tumi Alpha and I doubt it would get much attention at the gate if the new program is as aggressive as some think it is.
I have a trip Wednesday & I’ll try to find a UA sizer (or an AA one) and see how it does. I’ll bring a tape & get the actual inside sizer dimensions if I can. The U122CX “looks” much smaller than my Tumi Alpha and I doubt it would get much attention at the gate if the new program is as aggressive as some think it is.
On their Facebook page, Briggs & Riley showed a photo of the U122CX fitting inside the United sizer. From the angle, it seemed it fit without any issues.
On the initial post of the New United Carry-On Sizer and Enforcement of Policy (eff. 1 March 2014) thread, it appears the United sizer allows leeway for the handle to extend beyond it.
Jun 13, 2014, 9:13 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Thus, if asked to check my slightly-too-large-for-the-sizer carry on bag, I just pull the laptop out, put it in the convertible purse and I'm all set. I'd leave the charging cables, power supply, etc., in the carry on bag. That and toiletries are all easily replaced if the bag is lost or pilfered.
Added later:
Today I had to take some friends to LAX, so I brought along my empty laptop bag for a sizer check, It fit perfectly, like a glove. The escalator guard guy told me it was perfectly OK. I now have no fear of the sizer police.
Last edited by QueenOfCoach; Jun 17, 2014 at 11:25 pm Reason: Added later
Jun 13, 2014, 1:35 pm
#99
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Blog rounds, but how (in)accurate are they?
http://flyanddine.boardingarea.com/t...size-allowance
This is bad news, friends. Following United’s lead back in March, it appears that Delta and American have followed suit and cut the acceptable size of carry-on bags from 22″ x 15″ x 9″ to 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
.....
First of all, I don’t understand the new Personal Item rule that just went into effect this week. Was anybody checking before? Second of all, an inch? They cut the size of carry-ons by a lousy INCH??? Doesn’t seem like a big deal, right? It is. This is why: so many luggage makers make bags specifically to adhere to the airlines’ size requirements. They want to give you the maximum amount of luggage space, so those bags are all based on the previous standard. That inch that they just shaved off is going to mean that the luggage you bought for the very purpose of fitting into the overhead bins perfectly is now too damn big.
.....
First of all, I don’t understand the new Personal Item rule that just went into effect this week. Was anybody checking before? Second of all, an inch? They cut the size of carry-ons by a lousy INCH??? Doesn’t seem like a big deal, right? It is. This is why: so many luggage makers make bags specifically to adhere to the airlines’ size requirements. They want to give you the maximum amount of luggage space, so those bags are all based on the previous standard. That inch that they just shaved off is going to mean that the luggage you bought for the very purpose of fitting into the overhead bins perfectly is now too damn big.
Jun 13, 2014, 2:24 pm
#101
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,456
Actual Sizer Dimensions
My notes have the actual sizer dimensions as 23 1/4 x 9 7/8 x 14 1/2. dstan's in an older post are similar:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11974486-post26.html
While the post is '09, I believe the measurements are for the current sizer.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11974486-post26.html
While the post is '09, I believe the measurements are for the current sizer.
Last edited by alien; Jun 13, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Jun 13, 2014, 2:27 pm
#102
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
In between and in someways still, the figure AA has peddled has also been 45 linear inches without any mention of 22 x 14 x 9 figures. It's been years since anything greater than 45 linear inches has been peddled by AA in policy.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jun 13, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Jun 13, 2014, 2:30 pm
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
My notes have the actual sizer dimensions as 23 1/4 x 9 7/8 x 14 1/2. dstan's in an older post are similar:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11974486-post26.html
While the post is '09, I believe the measurements are for the current sizer.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11974486-post26.html
While the post is '09, I believe the measurements are for the current sizer.
Jun 13, 2014, 3:50 pm
#104
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT G (1MM);DL G, UA GM
Posts: 2,028
I've spent some time browsing Amazon and eBags today, and the majority of the carryons, not just the supposed 22" but also the smaller 20" bags, are 15" wide. A lot of folks are going to be shopping for new bags and finding limited choices, at least till the luggage companies get with the program.
Jun 14, 2014, 11:35 am
#105
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
AA has not changed the size since 2010, the only recent alteration has been to remove the size from the 'personal item', so hardly a prompt for a lot of bag changing.