2026 carry-on & personal item rules
American Airlines carry-on size
American Airlines's carry-on baggage size limit is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), with no published weight limit. Included on every fare, Basic Economy too. The size includes wheels and handles.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
56 × 36 × 23 cm
You must be able to lift it into the bin
46 × 36 × 20 cm
Even on Basic Economy
Quick answer
American Airlines allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), plus a personal item up to 18 × 14 × 8 in. Both are included on every fare, Basic Economy too.
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight limit
- None published
- Personal item
- 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm)
- Cheapest fare
- Included on every fare
- Standard 22 × 14 × 9 in bag
- Fits
- Checked bag
- Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, the first checked bag on American costs $45 if you pay online ($50 at the airport) and the second $55.
American bag sizes, drawn to scale
Will my bag fit on American?
Measure your packed bag, including wheels and handles.
Limit: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
4 in too long, 1 in too deep
Limit: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm)
Will my bag fit as a personal item on American?
Typical sizes of everyday bags, checked against American's 18 × 14 × 8 in personal item limit. Measure your own bag, or use the checker above.
- Small backpack or daypack16 × 12 × 6 inFits
- Under-seat rolling bag16 × 13 × 8 inFits
- Laptop backpack18 × 12 × 8 inFits
- Large tote18 × 14 × 6 inFits
- Weekender duffel20 × 11 × 10 inToo big: 2 in too long, 2 in too deep
American carry-on rules by fare
Basic Economy
Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Everything American Basic Economy includes
Higher fares
Standard and premium fares include a carry-on and a personal item.
Checked bags
On U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, the first checked bag on American costs $45 if you pay online ($50 at the airport) and the second $55. All American bag fees
Tips for flying American
- •Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included; many suitcases sold as "22-inch" are taller with the wheels.
- •On full flights, agents often offer to check carry-ons for free at the gate; keep medicines and valuables in your personal item.
How American compares
Carry-on rules at other U.S. airlines.
| Airline | Carry-on | Weight | Personal item | Carry-on on cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 18 × 14 × 8 in | Included |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | Must fit under seat | Included |
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 10 × 9 in | Not on some basic fares |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm | — | 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in | Included |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | Must fit under seat | Included |
| JetBlue | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 13 × 8 in | Included |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | 25 lb | Must fit under seat | Included |
| Frontier Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm | 35 lb | 18 × 14 × 8 in | Costs extra |
| Allegiant Air | 22 × 16 × 10 in56 × 41 × 25 cm | — | 7 × 15 × 16 in | Costs extra |
| Sun Country Airlines | 24 × 16 × 11 in61 × 41 × 28 cm | 35 lb | 17 × 13 × 9 in | Costs extra |
| Breeze Airways | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | 35 lb | 17 × 13 × 8 in | Costs extra |
| Avelo Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 13 × 9 in | Costs extra |
- American Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 18 × 14 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Delta Air Lines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- United Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 10 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Southwest Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Alaska Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- JetBlue
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- 25 lb
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Frontier Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 18 × 14 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Allegiant Air
- Carry-on
- 22 × 16 × 10 in (56 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 7 × 15 × 16 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Sun Country Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 11 in (61 × 41 × 28 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Breeze Airways
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Avelo Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
Head-to-head comparisons
American carry-on FAQ
American Airlines allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Included on every fare, Basic Economy too. The size includes wheels and handles.
Connecting on American
How long a layover you need at its hubs.
Airports American flies from
Airport guides for the airports we cover: getting into town, terminals, lounges and parking.
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- American Airlines official baggage policy
- AirlineGeeks: American raises checked bag fees (Apr 9, 2026)
- Newsweek: American Airlines bag fee hike and Basic Economy update (2026)
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
- U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics: 2025 on-time performance by operating carrier (via AviationDB)
- Your Mileage May Vary: where every major U.S. airline stands on Wi-Fi (Oct 13, 2026)
- Simple Flying: how U.S. airline economy seat pitch compares in 2026
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
Cheap flights on American and more
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