Yes. American allows 1 free carry‑on plus 1 personal item on all fares if they meet size limits; on small regional jets, carry‑ons may be valet‑checked free.
American Airlines Carry‑On: The Short Answer
Yes—on American, every ticket includes one standard carry‑on and one personal item at no extra charge. Both must meet size limits and fit in the bin or under the seat. That policy applies to Basic Economy, Main Cabin, and premium cabins. On some American Eagle flights with smaller bins, crews may tag larger roller bags for planeside valet return at the jet bridge, still free.
What “Free” Includes
Your carry‑on can be a wheel‑aboard or a soft‑sided garment bag. American lists a maximum of 22 x 14 x 9 inches on its carry‑on page, measured including wheels and handles. A soft‑sided garment bag may be used instead, up to 51 linear inches total. Your personal item—think small backpack, laptop bag, or purse—needs to fit under the seat; American publishes 18 x 14 x 8 inches as a guide. Agents may ask you to try the sizer if a bag looks borderline.
Carry‑On Size And Personal Item Limits
The airline focuses on size rather than weight for cabin bags in the U.S. If you can lift the bag into the bin and it fits the sizer, you’re in good shape. If bins fill up, agents may ask for volunteers to check roller bags at the gate. That service is free and helps boarding move faster.
Quick Reference: What You Can Bring For Free
Use this table as a sizing cheat sheet for American cabins. Bring exactly one carry‑on plus one personal item; items like coats or food don’t use up the allowance. Rules can change by route or aircraft, so always check your email itinerary and the American app before departure.
| Item | Max Size On American | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑on bag | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) | Overhead bin; one per traveler; may be valet‑checked free on small regional jets. |
| Soft‑sided garment bag | Up to 51 linear inches (130 cm) | Counts as your carry‑on in place of a roller. |
| Personal item | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | Must fit fully under the seat in front of you. |
| Stroller / car seat (with child) | N/A | Allowed for each child; small collapsible strollers can go to the gate; larger ones go to the counter. |
| Diaper bag (with child) | N/A | Allowed per child in addition to your personal item. |
Is A Carry‑On Free On AA Basic Economy? Facts
Yes. Basic Economy on American includes one free carry‑on and one personal item. That’s true on domestic trips and on international itineraries sold by American. The main trade‑offs with Basic Economy sit elsewhere: change limits, seat choice, boarding position, and checked‑bag fees by region. If you bring a bag that exceeds the sizer, expect to pay the checked‑bag fee at the gate.
Boarding Order Still Matters
Even when a carry‑on is free, later boarding groups face tighter bin space. If overhead bins run out on your row, agents will tag compliant roller bags for a free gate check. Keep medications, keys, travel documents, and lithium batteries in your personal item so they stay with you at all times.
Are Carry On Bags Free On American Airlines Internationally? What Changes
Carry‑ons remain free across cabins on long‑haul routes. Size limits are the same as domestic. Checked‑bag rules vary by destination and fare; many Main Cabin long‑haul tickets include one checked bag, while Basic Economy on those routes usually does not. If your itinerary includes a regional jet segment, plan for a possible valet tag on the larger bag even though there’s no fee.
When Your Bag Gets Valet‑Checked At The Gate
American Eagle aircraft like CRJ‑series and some Embraer models use compact bins. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 roller won’t always fit lengthwise. Gate staff hand out small valet tags for compliant carry‑ons; you leave the bag at the end of the jet bridge before boarding and pick it up in the same spot on arrival. There’s no charge and you keep your personal item on board.
How To Speed Up Planeside Pickup
- Place name and contact info on the outside of the bag.
- Remove power banks and spare batteries and put them in your personal item.
- Zip pockets and tuck loose straps so the bag rolls cleanly when ramp agents handle it.
- If you have a tight connection, tell the agent at the door so they can stage the bag near the cart for quicker return.
Liquids, Batteries, And Items That Must Stay In Cabin
Liquids in carry‑on follow the TSA 3‑1‑1 liquids rule: containers up to 3.4 oz each, all inside one clear quart‑size bag. Exceptions exist for medicine and baby‑feeding items; declare those at screening. Spare lithium batteries and power banks are only allowed in the cabin, never in checked bags—see the FAA guidance on lithium batteries. If your roller gets valet‑tagged, pull any spares and keep them with you. Scissors, tools, and other sharp items fall under TSA rules; pack them in checked baggage unless clearly allowed.
Special Items And Families
Traveling with a lap infant or a ticketed child may change what you can bring at no charge. American allows a stroller and a car seat per child; on most routes, bulky strollers need to be checked at the counter, while small collapsible ones can go to the gate. A diaper bag is allowed per child in addition to your own personal item. Breast milk and pumps are allowed; frozen packs are fine if fully frozen at screening.
Smart Packing Moves To Keep Your Carry‑On Free
Right‑size the suitcase. A true 22 x 14 x 9 bag that matches American’s sizer is your safest pick. Soft‑sided models flex a bit when bins run tight. If you prefer a garment bag, keep it under 51 linear inches and fold it flat along the bin wall rather than across the opening.
Board with the items you can’t lose in your personal item: wallet, IDs, meds, keys, phone, chargers, and a small power bank. Add a light jacket; it doesn’t count toward the allowance and can double as a pillow. Keep the liquid bag in an outer pocket for easy access at security.
Check your aircraft type in the app the day before departure. If the first leg shows a regional jet, expect a valet tag and keep the roller light so you can pull out the power bank and the quart bag fast. Snap a photo of your bag before you hand it over; it helps if a tag smears in the rain.
Fare Types And What You Get
American sells Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, Business, and First. Carry‑ons are free across the board. Checked‑bag inclusion depends on route and fare; long‑haul Main Cabin usually includes one bag, while domestic Main Cabin often does not. Premium cabins include at least one checked bag, with higher limits on weight. Always compare the fare rules in the app before you buy.
| Fare Type | Carry‑On (Fee) | Checked Bag Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | 1 carry‑on + 1 personal item, free | Usually none on domestic; long‑haul Basic Economy typically none. |
| Main Cabin / Main Cabin Extra | Free (same as above) | Domestic often none; many transatlantic or transpacific tickets include 1. |
| Premium Economy / Business / First | Free (same as above) | Yes, allowance increases by cabin and route. |
Checked‑bag fees and waivers change by region, fare, status, and credit card. The cabin allowance for carry‑ons stays the same: one carry‑on and one personal item for free.
Quick Fixes For Common Carry‑On Mix‑Ups
Think of the personal item as under‑seat only. If it needs the bin, it isn’t a personal item. Laptop backpacks and slim duffels often fit under the seat on mainline aircraft; on some regional seats the same bag may need the bin. Pack a small fold‑flat tote in case a gate agent asks you to consolidate smaller items at boarding.
Don’t overstuff the roller. A bulging front pocket or hard‑shell case that flares past 9 inches deep can miss the sizer by a hair. Use compression bags inside, not a second duffel outside. If your suitcase has an expansion zipper, keep it closed until the return trip when you know you’ll check the bag.
Pets that ride in the cabin use either the carry‑on or the personal‑item spot depending on the carrier size. Book early, since pet slots are limited per flight. If a pet goes as your carry‑on, your under‑seat bag becomes the personal item, so plan your packing around that swap.
What To Do If A Gate Agent Challenges Your Bag
Stay calm and ask to try the sizer. If the bag fits, you’ll keep it. If it doesn’t and you don’t want to pay a checked‑bag fee, move heavier items into your personal item and re‑try. When space is the issue, offer the roller for a free gate check and keep your valuables with you. Ask the agent whether pickup will be at the jet bridge or at baggage claim at your destination.
What Counts As A Personal Item On American
American defines the personal item by where it goes: under the seat in front of you. Think slim backpack, laptop bag, camera bag, briefcase, or purse. The published guide is 18 x 14 x 8 inches. If a bag needs the bin, it’s no longer a personal item. Keep the profile flat so it slides under the seat rails without snagging.
You can swap the personal item for a small under‑seat pet carrier on flights that accept pets in cabin. That carrier sits under the seat and counts toward your two‑item limit. If you bring a pet, pack your chargers and documents inside the same under‑seat space to keep everything together.
Sizer Secrets: How Agents Check Your Bag
American’s sizers match the 22 x 14 x 9 rule. Agents look for three things: the case fits fully inside without forcing, wheels and handles included, and the depth stays under nine inches even at the thickest point. If your shell bulges past the frame, the bag can be tagged for the hold. Soft‑sided cases with two wheels tend to glide into sizers more easily than wide‑body hard shells.
Place your laptop and the quart bag in your under‑seat item before you approach the sizer. That move slims the main case and avoids an overstuffed look. If you need to test the fit, do it early before general boarding when there’s less pressure at the podium.
Sports Gear, Instruments, And Other Swaps
A soft‑sided garment bag up to 51 linear inches can ride as your carry‑on. Small musical instruments may go in the cabin if they fit overhead or under the seat. Large instruments and sports gear follow special‑item rules and may need a seat purchase or a checked spot. Check American’s special‑items page for packing rules and limits before you head to the airport.
For coats, umbrellas, and food, relax—those don’t use up the two‑item allowance. Place snacks and a water bottle you bought after screening in your personal item so your hands stay free at boarding.
Route Notes That Affect Bags
American uses region‑based bag rules for checked luggage. Carry‑ons stay the same across those regions, but your first checked bag might be free on some long‑haul Main Cabin tickets and not on short‑haul trips. If you hold cobranded cards or elite status, your checked‑bag allowance may improve. None of that changes the cabin allowance: one carry‑on and one personal item for free.
On codeshares and partners, follow the “most significant carrier” rule shown on your e‑ticket. If the first long leg is on a partner that restricts cabin bags by weight, pack to that stricter standard. The size target of 22 x 14 x 9 works well across most carriers worldwide.
A Packing Layout That Works
Roll clothing into two packing cubes and stack them at the base of the roller. Place shoes heel‑to‑toe at the far end; tuck socks inside. Keep a flat toiletry pouch with your quart bag on top so you can pull it at security without rearranging everything. Slide your chargers into a zip pouch and keep that in the personal item with your passport and wallet.
If you wear a blazer or a dress that wrinkles easily, the 51‑inch garment bag swap helps. Fold the bag once and slide it along the bin wall. At your seat, clip it to the coat hook before takeoff, then lay it flat in the bin during climb when space opens up around your row.
Carry‑On Pitfalls To Avoid
Hard‑shell suitcases with built‑in USB power can’t charge while stowed; some airlines restrict charging in bins. More importantly, spare lithium cells must stay with you, not inside a checked case. Never leave a power bank inside a bag that could be tagged at the gate. Move it to the personal item before you hand the roller to the agent.
Retail duty‑free liquids over 3.4 oz must remain sealed in tamper‑evident bags until you reach your final destination. If you have a domestic connection after an international arrival, ask the agent whether rescreening is required; if so, place large liquids in checked baggage at the first entry point.
Pre‑Trip Checks That Save Time
Two days before departure, open the American app and confirm aircraft type, fare rules, and boarding group. Prepay any checked bags to save money at the airport. Snap screenshots of your boarding pass and the carry‑on rules in case you lose signal at the gate. Arrive with zippers closed and straps tightened so the bag looks compact at a glance.