Yes — American lets you bring 1 carry‑on and 1 personal item free on most fares, including Basic Economy; size limits and sizers still apply.
Carry-on anxiety is real when you’re staring at the sizer and a full gate. The good news: American Airlines allows one standard carry‑on and one personal item at no charge on every fare, including Basic Economy. The fine print sits in the measurements, the aircraft you’re on, and what gate agents must do when bins fill up.
Is a carry‑on free on American? Quick answer
Yes. Every American Airlines ticket includes a free overhead‑bin bag and a personal item for under‑seat storage. With Basic Economy you still get both, just no free checked bag and later boarding.
Table: what’s free to bring on American
| Ticket type | Carry‑on (22 × 14 × 9 in) | Personal item (18 × 14 × 8 in) |
|---|---|---|
| All Main Cabin fares (including Basic Economy) | 1 piece in overhead; must fit the airline sizer | 1 item under the seat; must fit the under‑seat space |
| Premium cabins (Premium Economy, First, Business) | 1 piece in overhead; priority bin access | 1 item under the seat; same size guidance |
| American Eagle regional jets | Valet check at the gate if bins can’t take rollaboards | Still bring 1 under‑seat item |
American Airlines carry on free allowance: sizes that pass
Size is the whole ballgame. American’s standard carry‑on limit is 22 × 14 × 9 inches, including handles and wheels. You’ll find that spec on American’s carry‑on page. That’s the dimension of the sizer you’ll see by the boarding lane. If the bag fits, it flies overhead. If it doesn’t, it heads downstairs as a checked bag and the checked‑bag fee for your route applies.
Your personal item must be smaller: up to 18 × 14 × 8 inches. Think laptop bag, slim backpack, small tote, or camera bag. It has to slide under the seat in front of you without stealing your legroom or blocking the aisle. If it bulges or carries hard‑sided wheels, agents may tag it.
When will your rollaboard get valet‑checked?
On many American Eagle regional flights the large bins just aren’t there. Agents hand out “valet” tags and take standard carry‑ons at the end of the jet bridge. You pick the bag up on the jet bridge on arrival instead of baggage claim. There’s no fee for this service. You still keep your personal item with you on board.
What about Basic Economy on American?
Basic Economy keeps the same free carry‑on and personal item. The trade‑offs are later boarding, seat rules, and no free checked bag. Late boarding can make bin space tighter on busy routes. Pack a small under‑seat bag with anything you can’t risk checking: meds, passport, jewelry, keys, and a charger.
Gate bins full? What happens next
If bins fill before your group boards, agents will tag standard carry‑ons and check them to the destination at no extra charge. That only applies to bags that meet the carry‑on size. If you bring a bag that’s over the carry‑on limit, you’ll pay the checked‑bag fee and, if it’s big enough, oversize or overweight fees as well.
Allowed items inside your carry‑on
Liquids and gels in the cabin must follow the TSA 3‑1‑1 rule: containers up to 3.4 ounces inside a single quart‑size bag. Medically necessary liquids and baby items have special screening rules and larger allowances. Place the liquids bag near the top of your carry‑on so you can pull it out fast if you’re not in TSA PreCheck.
Personal item ideas that always work
- Slim daypack with laptop sleeve
- Cross‑body tote with zip top
- Compact camera sling
- Small diaper bag for parents
- Foldable under‑seat duffel
Carry‑on items that often cause trouble
- Hard‑sided mini suitcases labeled “under‑seat” that don’t compress
- Giant gaming backpacks with plastic frames
- Duffle bags that exceed the airline sizer when stuffed
- Souvenir bags filled with bottles over 3.4 ounces
- Fully rigid hat boxes
Bin strategy that saves time
Board with the bag in “flight mode”: straps tucked, handles collapsed, exterior pockets zipped. Place the roller bag wheels‑in, not sideways, to keep bins efficient. If you’re traveling with a partner, place both overhead bags in one bin and keep the other bin free; crews love it, and neighbors do too.
Fees you might still see
Carry‑ons are free, but size and weight rules still decide whether a bag becomes checked luggage. American lists prices by route on its checked‑bag policy page. Oversize and overweight fees apply to checked items only. If you bought a Basic Economy fare and decide at the counter that a checked bag is easier, you’ll pay the published checked‑bag price for your itinerary.
Table: common bag missteps and the outcome
| Situation | What happens | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑on doesn’t fit 22 × 14 × 9 | Checked to destination | Route‑based checked‑bag price |
| Stuffed “personal item” won’t fit under seat | Tagged and moved to overhead or checked | May be checked‑bag price |
| Regional jet can’t take rollaboards | Valet check at the gate | No charge |
Special cases worth knowing
Traveling with kids: American lets each ticketed child bring a foldable stroller and a car seat. One small, collapsible stroller can be checked at the gate; larger or heavy strollers must go to the ticket counter before security. Diaper bags count as the child’s allowable item, not as a bonus third bag.
Mobility aids and medical devices: Wheelchairs, crutches, CPAPs, and similar items go over and above the personal item. Crews will help stow or gate‑check them without a fee. Keep prescriptions and a doctor’s note handy for faster screening.
Musical instruments: A small instrument that fits overhead or under the seat counts as your carry‑on. If you want a full‑size instrument in the cabin, buy a dedicated seat for it and follow the airline’s instrument rules.
Sports gear: Small items like a yoga mat or a compact tennis racquet can pass as your carry‑on if they meet the sizer. Long items and anything rigid usually need a checked‑bag plan.
Duty‑free liquids: If you’re connecting to the United States, buy duty‑free liquids in a sealed, tamper‑evident bag and keep the receipt. TSA allows these through screening on connections when the seal is intact and the purchase is recent.
Packing moves that keep you in bounds
- Use a 35–40 liter roller or soft‑sided bag built to 22 × 14 × 9.
- Swap rigid packing cubes for soft zip pouches that compress.
- Wear the bulkiest layers on the plane.
- Put the liquids bag near the top of your personal item.
- Coil cables in a flat pouch so your bag slides under the seat.
- Place laptops flat in a sleeve for quick removal.
American Airlines carry on for Basic Economy: avoid last‑minute stress
Late boarding can shrink your overhead options. Keep your meds, chargers, and a spare shirt in the personal item. If you must gate‑check, you’ll still have the essentials with you. Checking a bag in advance can be cheaper than deciding at the counter, so price your route when you book and decide early.
Seat choice and bin access
Choosing a seat near the front of the cabin or on the left side of the aisle can speed deplaning and sometimes gives you earlier bin access within a group. Group numbers still rule. Elite status, co‑branded cards, and premium seats can move you into an earlier group that reaches bins before they fill.
What crew look for at the sizer
Agents check three things: hard measurements, ability to slide into the tester, and how cleanly the bag stows. If the bag jams or needs force, it fails. If wheels, handles, or exterior pockets make it too long, it fails. Soft bags that compress and slide usually pass with less drama.
When a bag gets tagged at the gate
A tagged bag gets a sticker and a claim tag. If it’s a true carry‑on that lost the bin lottery, the tag shows “voluntary” and it goes to standard baggage claim at arrival. On regional jets a “valet” tag returns the bag to the jet bridge. Keep the claim stub till you’re out of the airport.
Can you bring two personal items instead?
American allows one personal item and one standard carry‑on. Two under‑seat items don’t replace the overhead allowance; you still get the overhead bag. If you bring two personal items plus a rollaboard, agents may ask you to consolidate at the podium to keep the line moving.
Upgrade, status, and card perks that help
Earlier boarding brings first shot at bins. AAdvantage status, oneworld status, premium cabin seats, and some co‑branded credit cards place you in earlier groups. Some routes include a free checked bag with status or cabin, which can be a smarter choice when you’re carrying gifts or bulky winter gear.
Bulkhead, exit, and under‑seat storage quirks
Bulkhead rows lack under‑seat space during takeoff and landing. Flight attendants will ask you to place all items in the overhead until the plane reaches cruise. If your personal item is bulky and the bin near you is full, you might watch it roll a few rows back. Pick a non‑bulkhead window or aisle seat if under‑seat storage matters to you.
Exit rows offer welcome legroom, yet the under‑seat space can be tighter because of equipment. Some seat pairs have a solid box that limits width. A slim backpack slides in, a stuffed tote might not. If you plan to work on a laptop, a standard row with a clear under‑seat area may be easier.
International connections and duty‑free
On trips that connect through a U.S. airport, you claim any checked luggage after immigration, pass customs, and drop it again for your next flight. Carry‑ons stay with you the whole time. If you buy duty‑free liquids on your outbound leg, keep them sealed in the official tamper‑evident bag with a same‑day receipt. Security officers will re‑screen those items when you connect; a broken seal can force you to toss or check the bottle.
Food from the lounge or terminal counts toward the 3‑1‑1 rule if it’s liquid or gel. Soup, yogurt, and soft cheese trigger the liquid rule. Solid snacks pass. Pack the liquid items after you clear security or keep them sealed from a duty‑free shop to avoid surprises.
The pet‑carrier rule just got better
American updated its approach so a paid in‑cabin pet no longer replaces your overhead carry‑on. You can bring the pet carrier plus either a rolling bag overhead or a personal item under the seat. The pet must stay in the ventilated carrier, which then goes under‑seat for taxi, takeoff, and landing. Cabin pet space is limited per flight, so book early and add the pet to your reservation as soon as you can.
Regional aircraft codes to watch
American Eagle runs many routes with Embraer 170/175 and CRJ700/900 jets. Overhead bins differ across these fleets. A soft 22‑inch bag might fit wheels‑first on an E175 but not on some CRJs. Agents on the jet bridge know the pattern and will tag bags before boarding to keep the line smooth. Valet‑checked bags come back to the jet bridge on arrival; wait near the door and your tag color will match the cart batch.
What not to pack in a carry‑on
Skip heavy power tools, large lithium battery spares, and flammable items. Lithium batteries above the spare limit are banned from checked bags and must ride in the cabin with terminals protected. Large aerosols, fuel canisters, and camping stoves with residue belong at home or inside strict checked‑baggage rules. When you’re unsure, use TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” search and pick the exact item name.
Quick checklist before you leave
- Bag hits 22 × 14 × 9 inches or smaller.
- Personal item hits 18 × 14 × 8 inches or smaller.
- Liquids in 3.4‑ounce bottles inside one quart‑size bag.
- Meds, keys, wallet, and chargers in the under‑seat bag.
- Boarding group ready on your app wallet.
- Strap tucked, pockets zipped, handles collapsed.
Final take
Carry‑ons on American are free. The winners at the gate know their numbers: 22 × 14 × 9 for the overhead, 18 × 14 × 8 for the under‑seat. Pack to those limits, plan for a jet‑bridge valet on small regional flights, and you’ll walk on calm, roll off fast, and skip the bag carousel.