Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, American or Breeze?

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Breeze: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), up to 35 lb (15.9 kg).

Do American and Breeze include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Breeze: The Nice bundle includes only a personal item; Nicer and Nicest add a carry-on.

Are American and Breeze partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; Breeze: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs MX · 2026 comparison

American vs Breeze

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Breeze wins on cheaper checked bags. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

American

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Breeze

Wins 1 category

Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Breeze wins on cheaper checked bags. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Breeze: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Breeze: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Breeze: $35–$41

Side by side

	American	Breeze
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	35 lb (15.9 kg)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	17 × 13 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$35–$41
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	BreezePoints
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	Point-to-point

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

American includes it on every fare, while Breeze charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Breeze caps carry-ons at 35 lb (15.9 kg); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 17 × 13 × 8 in (43 × 33 × 20 cm) on Breeze.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on Breeze costs $35–$41 on all Breeze flights.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Breeze (Nice): The Nice bundle includes only a personal item; Nicer and Nicest add a carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and Breeze is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and BreezePoints (Breeze).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Breeze flies point-to-point without big hubs. The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose Breeze if you want…

cheaper checked bags

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.