American carry-on and personal item size
American allows a free carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) plus a free personal item up to 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm).
Personal item free
Carry-on free
Checked bag
American basic fares
Basic Economy includes the carry-on and personal item, but Basic boards last and American warns bins are usually full by then, so plan to check the carry-on.
American bag rules worth knowing
- Business and Domestic First passengers can check bags up to 70 lb (32 kg); American does not accept checked bags over 100 lb (45 kg).
How American compares
Carry-on size rank: 15 of 25 (46 L); personal item: 2 of 22 (32 L).
A bag at American's full carry-on size also fits the carry-on limit of Delta, United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian, Sun Country, Breeze, Avelo, WestJet, British Airways, easyJet, but is too big for Air Canada, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM and 5 more.
A maxed-out American personal item also passes as a personal item on Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant.
Will your bag fit American?
Source: American Airlines, checked 2026-10-29.