Many airlines, as of late, have tightened up their hand luggage rules – and figuring them out can be yet another stressor for air passengers. Understanding American Airlines’ hand luggage size rules can make your trip with this major carrier much smoother.
American Airlines hand luggage: What fits, what doesn’t and what else to know
Below, the exact dimensions required by American Airlines for hand luggage. Each passenger can bring one cabin bag and one personal item. The cabin bag must fit in the overhead bin, otherwise it must be checked at the gate (and you may incur a fine, too). Keep it compact and can avoid extra fees and hassle.
American Airlines hand luggage basics: inside intel, tips and tricks
Your cabin bag needs to fit either in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you – no exceptions.
The total size of your cabin bag, including wheels and handles, is what counts. If you’re questioned by an American Airlines employee at the airport, you’ll need to demonstrate that it fits in the sizing device. If not, you’ll likely need to pay to check it.
The good news? American Airlines doesn’t have a weight limit for hand luggage across any of its fares. Just make sure your bag is within sizing rules – and that you can lift it yourself.
Personal items, like a handbag or small backpack, need to fit comfortably under the seat in front of you – just like your cabin bag needs to easily fit into the overhead bin.
What doesn’t count as hand luggage?
Good to know: the following don’t count toward your allowance for a personal item or cabin bag, so you can bring them on board stress-free.
What extra items can you bring on board?
Bringing your guitar or travelling with a furry companion? Musical instruments can fly as hand luggage if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. For pets, their carrier needs to fit under the seat, so that other passengers aren’t disturbed.
When it comes to larger or special items, American Airlines has specific rules depending on the item type. For most hand luggage items like instruments or pet carriers, there’s no official weight limit – just size restrictions to ensure items fit where they need to. Be sure to double-check the airline’s policies for anything unusual or oversized to avoid surprises at the gate.
Confused about hand luggage? A few common FAQs, answered
No one wants to be that passenger haggling with the gate agent about their bags before boarding. Below, the most commonly asked questions about hand luggage – with vetted answers that will help make your trip as smooth and stress free as possible.
Top three hand luggage tips for American Airlines
from expert traveller Blane Bachelor
Tip #1: Hand luggage in exit rows
If you’re sitting in an exit or bulkhead row, you’ll need to put all your hand luggage items in the overhead bin for takeoff and landing. So don’t wait to board until the last group, when that critical space will likely be full.
Tip #2: Board with your group
Overly eager travellers on American Airlines, beware: the carrier recently introduced technology to identify so-called “gate lice”: passengers who try to board ahead of their group (and presumably grab bin space for their cabin bags). Board with your group, or you may be sent to the back of the line – and forced to gate-check your hand luggage.
Tip #3: Personal item goes under the seat
Don’t assume you can store a personal item – say, a backpack – alongside your larger cabin bag in the overhead bin, especially if you have a basic economy fare. One, bins may be full by the time you board; and two, the carrier may slap you with a gate service fee for personal items deemed too big.
Still have questions about hand luggage?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare hand luggage rules across airlines, check out our hand luggage guide. Or perhaps you’re stuck on what to pack? We have plenty of handy tips for that, too. Finally, don’t forget to check how early to get to the airport.
⏰ Last update: 7 February 2025 – because staying informed makes travel smoother.
