Quick answer: American Airlines allows 1 personal item (max 18x14x8in / 45x35x20cm) plus 1 carry-on (max 22x14x9in / 56x36x23cm, including handles and wheels) for every passenger, including elite status members — there’s no extra allowance for AAdvantage or ConciergeKey status. Your carry-on must fit in the airport sizer, not just look small enough by eye.
Personal Item Size
Must fit under the seat in front of you: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20cm).
These don’t count as your personal item or carry-on — they’re free additions:
- Diaper bags (1 per child)
- Soft-sided cooler bags containing breast milk
- Child safety seats
- Strollers
- Medical or mobility devices
Carry-On Bag Size
Must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23cm), including handles and wheels, and must fit the airport’s carry-on sizer — not just your own judgment of “small enough.”
Also allowed as your carry-on item:
- Soft-sided garment bags up to 51in/130cm (length + width + height combined)
- Musical instruments, as long as they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat
If your bag doesn’t fit the overhead bin or under the seat once onboard, it may need to be checked at that point — label your carry-on the same way you would a checked bag in case this happens.
The Valet Bag Rule on Regional Flights
Regional flights operated on American Eagle aircraft often have limited overhead bin space. If your carry-on is larger than the personal item dimensions, you’ll need to valet your bag before boarding — it gets tagged and checked for free at the gate, and you’ll receive it back on the jetbridge right after landing, not at baggage claim.
Exception: Embraer ERJ-175 aircraft don’t offer valet service and allow standard carry-ons normally.
Before valeting, remove batteries, e-cigarettes, and other restricted items from the bag — those need to stay with you, not go through as checked.
Traveling With a Pet
If you’re bringing a pet onboard, the kennel or carrier itself counts as your carry-on item, and a separate carry-on pet fee applies on top of your ticket.
Liquids (TSA Rule)
Standard TSA rule applies: 1 quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes, each container 3.4oz (100ml) or less. Duty-free liquids over that limit are allowed through security only if sealed in a security tamper-evident bag at time of purchase.
Comparing Against Other Airlines
If you’re connecting through a Gulf hub or flying long-haul on a different carrier, allowances vary significantly — see our Emirates baggage allowance and Qatar Airways economy baggage limit guides for comparison before you assume American’s rules carry over.
Official Source
Figures above are from American Airlines’ own carry-on bags page and restricted items page. Checked baggage allowance by cabin class and any seasonal/route-specific bag limits change periodically — verify those directly on aa.com before you fly rather than relying on a general guide, since limitation periods and destinations are updated regularly.
FAQs
22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23cm), including handles and wheels, and it must fit the airport’s sizer.
18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20cm), and it must fit under the seat in front of you.
No — carry-on size requirements apply to all customers, including ConciergeKey and AAdvantage status members.
Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers, and medical or mobility devices are all free additions.
You’ll be asked to valet the bag before boarding — it’s tagged and checked free of charge, and returned to you on the jetbridge after landing. Embraer ERJ-175 flights are the exception and don’t require this.
