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)
Sep 16, 2022, 6:42 pm
#1277
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,151
I’ve never had this happen to me ever before but at the boarding pass scanner, the GA said that my bag wouldn’t fit in her checker even though the bag wasn’t tested yet and she made me take things out of the side pocket before I could test my bag in the checker. She was rude and I asked for her name. She said I’ll give you mine after I take a look at your boarding pass again to know your name.
Something similar happened to my fiancée in January 2020 on LAX-JFK in F. Bag was legal, but the GA insisted on sizing it and taking things out of the front. I was convinced that they were salty that we were the last ones on (enjoying FFD) and really pushed for it to be checked to baggage claim (not even the gate) as they felt it wouldn’t fit in the bins...which makes little sense given the layout. Ultimately cooler heads prevailed (mine), but not the best way to treat your F pax, both of whom were paying for it.
Last edited by ryanbriar; Sep 16, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Sep 17, 2022, 5:24 am
#1279
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 377
"First of all on most flights, I’m the guy who brings boxes of candy for the crew and GA’s as I know they are treated sometimes disrespectfully and it’s not always a joy to deal with unreasonable and unruly pax.
Today I was short on time and didn’t bring any…"
That'll Learn Ya!
Today I was short on time and didn’t bring any…"
That'll Learn Ya!
Sep 17, 2022, 7:13 am
#1280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Humiliated?
How did she stop you from putting the bag in the checker, before taking stuff out?
If she wasn't telling you to get rid of the stuff taken out, it sounds like she was trying to make sure you could get the bag on
How did she stop you from putting the bag in the checker, before taking stuff out?
If she wasn't telling you to get rid of the stuff taken out, it sounds like she was trying to make sure you could get the bag on
Sep 17, 2022, 8:54 am
#1281
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
LAX did this for years, even going to the point of posting someone at the bottom of the escalator before you go up to the TSA checkpoint. If your bag looks bulky you get hassled. No sizer in sight.
Oct 13, 2022, 9:50 am
#1282
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: San Juan, PR
Programs: UA-*G, AA-Exec P, IHG-Gold, Bonvoy-Ambassador
Posts: 103
She said to remove the items in the front since it won't fit in the checker the way it was... She wouldn't let us put the bag in the checker first
May 30, 2023, 5:34 pm
#1283
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,151
A new first for me…rolled up to the gate during group nine boarding and had my bag taken despite being seated in F and available bin space when I got onboard!
The agent was pretty rude about it, to the point where her colleague was standing behind her shaking her head. I pointed out that bin space is generally protected in F and that: 1) this has never been an issue / can always just gate check if no space; 2) can it at least be gate checked versus to the carousel (negative). She noted that this is what I get for showing up late.
I’m assuming that this is an outlier situation, but word of advice for those coming on in the tail end of boarding despite being in F. Perhaps a policy change of sorts in the spirit of getting planes off the gate.
The agent was pretty rude about it, to the point where her colleague was standing behind her shaking her head. I pointed out that bin space is generally protected in F and that: 1) this has never been an issue / can always just gate check if no space; 2) can it at least be gate checked versus to the carousel (negative). She noted that this is what I get for showing up late.
I’m assuming that this is an outlier situation, but word of advice for those coming on in the tail end of boarding despite being in F. Perhaps a policy change of sorts in the spirit of getting planes off the gate.
Jun 13, 2023, 8:48 am
#1286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,453
AA carry on / carryon baggage rules & enforcement (master thd)
Jun 13, 2023, 8:50 am
#1287
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 656
Recent experience is they are not that strict. There have been some reports of gate agents making you put bags in the sizers, but those seem to be the exception rather than the rule. A good rule of thumb if you are nervous about bag size is don't be the first one in line.
Jun 13, 2023, 6:07 pm
#1289
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: South Florida
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Posts: 40
Trying to avoid checking a bag on my upcoming JFK-LAX-SYD round-trip in Flagship First...anyone have any thoughts on how strict they are with enforcing the standard carry-on policy? I have a rollerboard and duffle bag that sits atop the rollerboard (via a sleeve that fits on the handle). I have an onward domestic flight on Virgin Australia on a separate ticket once I get to SYD and prefer not to deal with baggage claim, if at all possible. It is nice that AA offers so many free checked bags with a Flagship First ticket, but I would prefer them relaxing the carry-on policy to permit two carry-ons rather than the standard 1 carry-on and 1 personal item (I would even pay for the extra carry-on). I recently flew Turkish Biz Class MIA-IST-ICN and they were kind enough to allow me to bring aboard two carry-ons plus a backpack...might have been an anomaly, but considering the fare I paid for a J Class round-trip ticket to Seoul, it was nice to be treated a little more humanely, and there was still plenty of overhead space in the 77W for my two carry-ons (I kept my packback under my ottoman).
Thanks for sharing any experiences or advice!
Thanks for sharing any experiences or advice!
Jul 27, 2023, 7:50 am
#1290
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-list Preferred and CP, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, RIP Kimpton
Posts: 853
Anybody have experience with carrying on a long golf umbrella to store in the overhead bin? AA site doesn't specifically cover them.
I picked up a commemorative umbrella at The Open Championship this past week and want to bring it back to the states. When wrapped in it's storage sleeve it is roughly 36" long. For once, I don't have my golf clubs with me so I can't stash the umbrella in my golf travel case.
I've reached out to AA via twitter but no answer yet.
I picked up a commemorative umbrella at The Open Championship this past week and want to bring it back to the states. When wrapped in it's storage sleeve it is roughly 36" long. For once, I don't have my golf clubs with me so I can't stash the umbrella in my golf travel case.
I've reached out to AA via twitter but no answer yet.