If you’ve ever walked up to the boarding gate clutching your bag like it’s your first-born child, silently hoping the agent doesn’t pull out the dreaded sizer box… yeah, I’ve been there. More times than I’d like to admit.
Flying with American Airlines in 2025 is pretty straightforward when it comes to carry-on rules, but there are little details (and unspoken rules) you only learn the hard way — like the time I had to gate-check my perfectly packed carry-on because I boarded too late. Spoiler: my bag did make it, but my nerves didn’t.
So, if you want to keep your bag with you, dodge those baggage fees, and actually enjoy your flight, here’s the real-world guide to American Airlines carry-on rules this year.
What You Can Bring Without Paying Extra
AA’s policy is nice and simple — no mental gymnastics here. Every passenger gets:
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1 carry-on bag (overhead bin)
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1 personal item (under the seat in front of you)
This is true even if you’re flying Basic Economy now, which is great news because a few years ago, Basic Economy used to be a bit stingier with overhead bin space.
Official Size Limits for 2025
Measurements include wheels and handles — so if your bag is exactly 22 inches without the handle, it’s actually too big.
| Item Type | Max Size (inches) | My Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-On Bag | 22 × 14 × 9 | If you tend to overpack, go for a soft-shell. It can “squish” into a tight bin. |
| Personal Item | 18 × 14 × 8 | A soft underseat backpack gives you maximum packing space without looking oversized. |
💡 Pro Hack: Search for bags labeled “domestic carry-on approved” — they’re designed to meet US airline limits and usually fit without drama.
Weight Limits (or the Lack Thereof)
For domestic flights, AA doesn’t have an official weight limit. But if you can’t lift your bag into the overhead yourself, you might be politely (or not-so-politely) asked to check it.
If you’re connecting to or from an international flight, especially with partner airlines in Europe or Asia, expect weight limits of 7–10 kg (15–22 lbs).
Personally, I aim for under 25 lbs (11 kg). That’s heavy enough to pack everything I need but still easy to lift without looking like I’m wrestling a baby elephant in the aisle.
What Counts as a Personal Item
Officially: backpack, purse, laptop bag, or briefcase.
Unofficially: any soft-sided bag that fits under the seat and doesn’t draw attention.
Things I’ve personally fit into a “personal item” without getting a second look:
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Laptop + charger
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DSLR camera + lens
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Snacks for the flight (and some for the hotel)
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Hoodie & scarf
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Foldable shoes
💡 Tip: Flexibility is your friend. Soft-sided bags can be pushed into awkward under-seat spaces — hard cases can’t.
Freebies That Don’t Count Toward Your Limit
These are extra items you can carry on top of your two bags:
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A coat or jacket
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Umbrella
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Duty-free shopping bag
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Diaper bag if traveling with a child
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Medical devices (CPAP machine, etc.)
How to Avoid Gate-Checking
Even if your bag is the right size, you can still be forced to gate-check if the overhead bins fill up.
My personal rules for avoiding this:
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Board early — aim for Boarding Group 1–4 if you can.
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Use a bag that doesn’t scream “I’m huge!”
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Keep your essentials in your personal item — just in case your carry-on goes to the hold.
✈ Story time: On a Dallas–Miami flight, I boarded in Group 8 and — you guessed it — my perfect little carry-on was tagged and sent to the cargo hold. Lesson learned: now I check my boarding group before I even pack.
Packing Tips That Actually Work
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Roll your clothes — saves space and reduces wrinkles.
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Packing cubes — game changer for organization.
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Wear your bulkiest items — jackets and boots take up too much room otherwise.
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Stuff every space — socks in shoes, chargers in side pockets.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Forgetting about handles and wheels when measuring your bag.
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Overstuffing a hard-shell case — it won’t give at all, so it’s more likely to be flagged.
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Assuming regional jets have the same bin size — spoiler: they don’t.
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Relying on the gate agent’s mood — not a great strategy.
Regional Jets: The Small Plane Problem
On American Eagle flights (and other small regional jets), bins are much smaller. Even bags that meet AA’s standard carry-on dimensions might not fit.
If you’re flying one of these routes, be mentally prepared for a gate-check and keep important stuff with you.
Seasonal Packing Tips
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Winter: Wear your coat onto the plane, layer up, and pack compression bags for bulky sweaters.
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Summer: Lightweight fabrics, sandals in side pockets, and a collapsible hat to avoid sunburns.
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Holiday Travel: Gifts? Leave them unwrapped to avoid TSA issues, and use a hard-shell carry-on for protection.
How AA Compares to Other Major Airlines
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Delta: Same carry-on size, but slightly more lenient on personal item space.
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United: Same size, but stricter with Basic Economy boarding.
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Southwest: No size limit drama, but free checked bags mean fewer people fight for overhead space.
This matters if you’re flying codeshares or mixed airline itineraries — always check the smallest bag size requirement of all airlines on your trip.
My Favorite Bags for AA (and Why)
(Perfect for your affiliate links — all tested to fit AA’s limits)
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Samsonite Winfield 3 – Durable, stylish hard-shell.
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TravelPro Maxlite 5 – Soft-shell, lightweight, forgiving for overpackers.
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Nomatic Navigator Backpack – Best personal item I’ve ever owned.
FAQs
Q: Can I bring both a backpack and a purse?
A: Only if one fits inside the other — otherwise it counts as two personal items.
Q: Does AA actually measure bags?
A: Not every time, but they can if the flight is full or the bag looks oversized.
Q: Can I bring food?
A: Solid food is fine. Liquids and gels follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule.
Q: Can I bring a garment bag?
A: Yes, if it’s within 51 total inches (L+W+H).
Q: Can I bring sports equipment?
A: Some items (like small tennis rackets) can be carry-ons; larger gear must be checked.
Q: Can I bring musical instruments?
A: If they fit in the overhead or under the seat — otherwise, you may need to buy an extra seat.
Q: Does AA charge for carry-ons?
A: No — unless you’re in Basic Economy and bringing one on an older international fare rule.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines’ carry-on rules are pretty simple on paper, but the little details matter. Measure your bag including wheels and handles, pack smart, and use your personal item like a secret weapon. Oh, and board early — trust me, it’s worth it.
Do that, and you’ll breeze past the gate agent without that awkward pause where they eyeball your bag like it’s about to explode.