American Airlines carry-on size and personal item rules
- North America
- Full-service
- oneworld
- Verified 28 September 2026
American Airlines (AA) allows one cabin bag of 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) on its All fares fare, plus a personal item of 18 × 14 × 8 in (45.7 × 35.6 × 20.3 cm). American Airlines counts wheels and handles in this size. Verified on 28 September 2026 from the official American Airlines baggage page.
Check your bag against American Airlines
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American Airlines carry-on allowance by fare
| Fare | Route / class | Personal item | Cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All fares(standard) | All routes · All classes | 18×14×8 in | 22×14×9 in | Not published |
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What to know about American Airlines carry-on rules
- American Airlines is based in United States with hubs at CLT, ORD, DFW, LAX, MIA, JFK, LGA, PHL, PHX and DCA, and its main markets include Mexico, Canada and United Kingdom.
- Among the 8 verified airlines from North America, American Airlines has the 4th largest cabin bag allowance; American Airlines itself is the strictest.
- As a box, American Airlines' 22×14×9 in limit holds about 45.4 litres, the 48th largest volume of the 60 airlines that publish three cabin bag sides.
- American Airlines ranks 58th of 66 verified airlines by cabin bag size in the standard fare: its 114.3 cm (45 in) total is bigger than 5% of them.
- American Airlines' cabin bag totals 114.3 cm (45 in), 2.5 cm (1 in) less than the average of the 8 verified airlines from North America (116.8 cm (46 in)).
- Of the 10 oneworld airlines verified here, American Airlines comes 9th by cabin bag size; the range runs from Qatar Airways at 112 cm (44.1 in) to Iberia at 121 cm (47.6 in).
- On American Airlines, a standard US carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) fits exactly at the limit on the length (limit: 22×14×9 in).
- On American Airlines, a typical European cabin case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) is 4.4 cm (1.7 in) too big on the width (limit: 22×14×9 in).
- There is no published cabin bag weight limit on all fares of American Airlines: the official page sets only the 22×14×9 in size.
- American Airlines' official text counts wheels and handles in the 22×14×9 in cabin bag limit.
- Exceptions noted on the official American Airlines page: “If your carry-on is larger than the personal item dimensions, you must valet your bag before boarding.”
American Airlines carry-on questions
- Does American Airlines have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
- American Airlines does not publish a cabin bag weight limit for all fares; only the size rule appears on its official page.
- Will a 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on fit American Airlines' limit?
- Yes: against American Airlines' 22×14×9 in limit, a hard 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) case fits exactly at the limit on the length.
- How big can a personal item be on American Airlines?
- American Airlines allows a personal item of 18 × 14 × 8 in (45.7 × 35.6 × 20.3 cm) on all fares, stowed under the seat in front.
- Do wheels and handles count in American Airlines' carry-on size?
- Yes. American Airlines' official page says the 22×14×9 in limit includes wheels and handles.
Airlines related to American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines carry-on size — also flies from LAX
- United Airlines carry-on size — also flies from ORD
- JetBlue carry-on size — also flies from JFK
- Air Canada carry-on size — full-service airline from North America
- Allegiant Air carry-on size — also based in the same country
- Finnair carry-on size — oneworld partner
Official sources
- https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/travel-info/baggage/carry-on-baggage.html — checked on 28 September 2026