What are the dimensions for carry on luggage american airlines

Recommended maximum size: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), wheels and handles included.

Personal item guideline: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), must stow under seat in front.

Measure height, width, depth with wheels and handles attached. Use soft-sided tote or expandable case to maximize usable volume when fitting into overhead bin.

No published onboard weight limit exists; gate agent may require bag to be checked if it cannot fit into overhead bin. Some basic-economy fares at AA restrict overhead bag allowance; confirm allowance on booking confirmation or carrier website.

Quick tips: place heavy items near base, use compression cubes, keep liquids under 100 ml inside a clear quart-size bag carried within personal item during security screening.

If bag exceeds 22 x 14 x 9 inches, expect gate check or additional fees; oversized pieces may be checked at boarding without preserved overhead slot.

AA hand baggage size limits

Max allowed 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including wheels and handles; personal item recommended 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) to fit under seat.

Measuring method

1. Place bag on flat surface.
2. Attach any removable handle; extend to highest position.
3. Measure height from floor to highest point, including wheels and handles.
4. Measure width across widest points and depth across thickest points.
5. Compare measurements with 22 x 14 x 9 in limit.

Rules and exceptions

• Basic Economy passengers: no overhead-bin access; personal item only.
• Regional/commuter aircraft: overhead bins often smaller; gate-check more likely.
• No published onboard weight limit for standard fares; some aircraft or international routes may impose weight caps.
• Gate agents may require gate-check when bins reach capacity; gate-checked bag returned at arrival or at jetbridge.

• Measure bag with wheels and handles attached well before travel.
• Choose soft-sided bag when slight compression helps fit bins.
• Move bulky/heavy items to checked bag to keep onboard item light and compliant.
• Secure overhead space by purchasing priority boarding or selecting higher boarding group when available.
• Confirm any special rules shown on booking confirmation or carrier website for specific aircraft and route.

Maximum cabin-bag allowance: 22 x 14 x 9 inches

Keep onboard suitcase at or below 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm); total measurement must include wheels, fixed handles, external pockets.

Measure fully packed and zipped with telescoping handle fully retracted. Height = longest side (22 in), width = face side (14 in), depth = front-to-back thickness (9 in).

Metric equivalents

22 in = 55.9 cm, 14 in = 35.6 cm, 9 in = 22.9 cm. Round to nearest whole number when checking fit: 56 x 36 x 23 cm.

Packing checklist

Weigh packed item at home to detect overweight; place heavier objects near wheelbase to improve stability; store essential documents and electronics in external zip pocket, keeping items easily accessible; retract telescoping handle before measuring or stowing; if bag exceeds 22 x 14 x 9 in, expect gate-checking and potential collection at aircraft door or baggage claim.

Allowed personal item size and how to place it under the seat

Use a soft-sided personal item no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 35 x 20 cm); pack heavier items low and keep passport plus boarding pass in an exterior pocket for quick access.

Measure bag externally with wheels and handles extended; confirm total external measurement fits within 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 35 x 20 cm). If rigid frame prevents compliance, switch to a compressible tote or remove protruding accessories.

Slide bag flat under seat with long side parallel to seat front and main compartment opening facing upward for easy access to electronics, documents, medications. Position heavier contents closest to floor to lower center of gravity and prevent shifting during seat recline.

Use internal organization: a padded laptop sleeve near interior wall, one slim pocket for chargers and one quick-access pocket for ID/cards. Soft clothing or a folded jacket around rigid items increases usable height without exceeding allowed external size.

Bulkhead rows, some premium seats, and forward-facing bassinets may reduce or eliminate under-seat depth; if under-seat placement impossible, gate-check larger items or use overhead bin space early during boarding.

Keep valuables on person or in a slim waist pack worn at boarding to free personal item space and speed stowing. Owners of rental properties who fund frequent travel should consider best umbrella insurance for rental properties as an asset-protection step.

How to measure your bag correctly – include wheels, handles, and exterior pockets

Measure with a rigid tape, keeping the telescoping handle fully collapsed and all exterior pockets zipped and filled as you plan to travel.

Tools to have ready

• Retractable tape measure (inches and cm)
• Flat floor and a straight edge (book or board)
• Pen and paper or phone to record three measurements

Step-by-step measuring method

1. Pack bag exactly how you will use it; zip expandable panels and external pockets that will contain items.
2. Stand bag upright on a flat floor with wheels on the ground and the handle collapsed.
3. Height: measure from floor to highest fixed point on top of the bag (do not include an extended handle).
4. Width: measure side-to-side at the widest point, including wheel housings and side bumpers.
5. Depth: measure front-to-back at the deepest point with pockets zipped and any soft material compressed as you would pack it.
6. Spinner-wheel check: rotate bag so a wheel faces the tape; measure both orientations (wheel forward and wheel to side) and use the larger width if different.
7. Non-retractable top or side handles: include them in height or width if they cannot be flattened; record both with and without if they fold.
8. Expandable zippers: measure once with expansion closed and once with it opened; use the closed measurement when complying with size limits unless you plan to travel expanded.

Rounding and tolerance: round each value up to the nearest 0.5 inch (1.3 cm). Add an extra 0.5–1.0 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) margin if material is soft or pockets may bulge. Conversion reference: 1 in = 2.54 cm.

• If using compression straps, fasten them and measure again; packed-and-compressed measurements represent actual in-cabin profile better than empty measurements.
• Keep a photo of your tape against the bag on your phone as proof of packed state if gate staff question size.

Onboard bag rules Basic Economy – domestic vs international differences

If booked Basic Economy, bring only a personal item sized to fit under seat; purchase overhead-bin access while booking to avoid higher gate fees and forced gate-check.

Domestic rules

Domestic routes: Basic Economy passengers allowed a single personal item stowed under seat only. Overhead-bin access excluded unless add-on or upgrade purchased. Gate agents will require gate-check of any standard cabin bag; gate-check fees usually exceed online prepayment rates. Exemptions include elite program members, active military with orders, and certain co-branded cardholders, who retain overhead-bin privilege.

International differences

International markets vary: some transatlantic and transpacific Basic Economy fares include overhead-bin allowance while many intercontinental and regional fares restrict to personal item only. Connecting segments operated by partner carriers follow operating-carrier rules; when segments differ, gate staff enforce per-segment limits. Review baggage allowance shown at purchase and on itinerary; if unclear, contact operating carrier prior to departure.

Practical tips: pack medications, travel documents, chargers and valuables inside personal item; choose a slim, collapsible bag that slides fully under seat; prepay overhead-bin privilege or book an upgrade during online check-in to save money; if asked to gate-check, secure a gate-check tag and keep essentials with you. Related reading: related article

Gate check when bag exceeds size limit – procedures and fees

If bag exceeds size limit, present it at gate to be measured; agent will tag oversize items as gate-checked and place them in aircraft hold.

Move passports, medications, electronics into personal item to keep with you during boarding and deplaning; keep receipts and boarding pass attached to bag tag when handing item to agent.

Expect fee outcome to depend on fare class, elite status, route, reason behind gate-check and whether operator accepts responsibility due to lack of overhead space.

Gate measurement process

Agent uses boarding-area sizer or tape measure. Wheels, extended handles, exterior pockets included in measurement. If bag fails measurement, agent will place gate-check tag showing flight number and tag code. If tag lists jet-bridge return, bag usually appears at arrival door; if tag lists baggage claim, retrieve at carousel.

Fees, exemptions, quick actions

Elite members, premium-cabin passengers, military travelers with orders often receive gate-check waivers. Basic Economy passengers may face standard checked-bag charges when an oversized cabin bag is refused at gate. When space shortage causes gate-check, many carriers waive extra charge; when gate-check results from passenger bringing a noncompliant bag, standard checked-bag fees normally apply.

Action checklist at gate: hand over valuables in personal item, keep boarding pass receipt attached to tagged bag, ask agent whether bag returns at jet bridge or baggage claim, save claim tag for pickup.

Selecting bags and packing tips to ensure onboard bags fit sizer and overhead bin

Choose a soft-sided cabin bag that compresses; measure width, height, depth including wheels and handles while exterior pockets remain filled. Aim for a packed profile that slides into sizer without force.

Prefer soft shell when overhead space tight; soft walls yield extra centimeters when crew nest bags. Hard-shell cases often sit proud at corners, increasing chance of gate-checking.

Measure with tape measure along outermost points: wheel tread, handle top, pocket seams. Log measurements in both inches and centimeters and compare against carrier published limits before travel day.

Packing method: roll garments into compression cubes, use shoe bags, place bulky sweaters against bag base, and tuck small items into pocket cavities to smooth outer profile. Store liquids inside clear quart-sized bag that meets liquid allowance.

Electronics placement: keep laptop and tablet in slim sleeve near bag top so staff can inspect without emptying rest of bag; chargers and earbuds go into an easy-access pocket.

Weight balance: position heavier items near wheel end so bag stands upright when lifted into bin, reducing corner bulging. Avoid overstuffing pockets that create hard points against sizer grid.

Home test: pack bag to travel load, insert into mock sizer built from cardboard sized to published limits, and practice lifting into overhead-height shelf. If insertion needs force, remove or redistribute items or swap to smaller bag.

Gate-day prep: keep essential documents, medication, and a collapsible toiletry kit in a separate personal item or on-body pocket in case gate agents request gate-check; wear bulky coat during boarding to free internal space.

FAQ:

What are the maximum carry-on dimensions allowed by American Airlines?

American Airlines allows one carry-on bag with maximum outside dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm). In addition to the carry-on, you may bring one personal item that will fit under the seat in front of you.

Do the 22 x 14 x 9 inches include wheels and handles?

Yes. The stated limit refers to the bag’s external measurements, so wheels, handles and any external pockets are counted. Soft-sided bags that compress slightly often fit more easily into overhead bins than rigid suitcases with the same nominal size.

My bag is slightly over 22 inches on one side but soft-sided — will it be allowed and how can I avoid having it gate-checked?

If a gate agent believes a bag won’t fit in the overhead bin, they can require it to be checked at the gate. Enforcement varies by aircraft and airport; regional jets and fully booked flights tend to have tighter space. Practical steps to reduce the chance of gate-checking: measure the bag including wheels and handles before you travel; use a soft-sided or compressible bag; move a few items into your personal item or wear bulky clothing during travel; use compression straps or packing cubes to change shape; and, if possible, check the bag at ticket counter in advance. Also review your specific reservation — some routes and fare types have different rules — and consider weighing and sizing your luggage at home so there are no surprises at boarding.