Yes, American Airlines lets you bring one carry-on and one personal item like a purse if both meet the size limits.
What Counts As A Personal Item On American Airlines
A purse counts as a personal item on American Airlines as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. The airline lists the personal item size as 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), and it must slide under the seat. If a purse or handbag is larger than that, staff can treat it as your carry-on.
American also allows one standard carry-on per traveler. The published cabin bag size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels. Your bag should fit in the sizer at the gate. If it does not fit, it may be checked with standard fees.
For the source details, see the airline’s carry-on page on aa.com. The safety rules for batteries and power banks come from the FAA’s PackSafe guidance on lithium batteries.
Quick Size Rules At A Glance
| Item | Max Size (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item (purse, small handbag, slim backpack) | 18 x 14 x 8 | Must fit fully under seat; keep pockets slim to avoid extra bulk. |
| Carry-on bag | 22 x 14 x 9 | Includes wheels and handles; must fit in the metal sizer at the gate. |
| Basic Economy | Same as above | AA allows both a carry-on and a personal item on this fare type. |
| Regional jets | May gate-check | Overhead bins can be smaller; cabin staff may tag roller bags planeside. |
| Assistive devices | N/A | Medical and mobility devices do not count toward your 1+1 allowance. |
Bringing A Purse With A Carry-On On American Airlines: Rules That Matter
The short story: yes, you can bring a purse and a carry-on on American Airlines. Think of your purse as your under-seat item and your wheeled suitcase or duffel as your overhead item. If the purse is oversized or packed like a second tote, gate agents may ask you to put it inside your main bag or count it as your carry-on.
Pick a purse that stands up on its own and holds shape. Soft totes that balloon after you add a sweater or water bottle can inch past under-seat space. A structured crossbody or a compact handbag stays within the 18 x 14 x 8 box with less fuss.
Keep daily essentials in the purse and move bulk to the cabin bag. Wallet, passport, phone, meds, earbuds, a small charger, a pen, and a snack fit fine. Shoes, hoodies, and deep toiletry kits belong in the overhead piece. This split keeps the purse slim and easy to tuck away during takeoff and landing.
AA Carry-On Size And Fit
American’s carry-on sizer reflects the 22 x 14 x 9 rule, wheels and handles included. If your spinner is slightly tall because of the top handle, test it in the sizer before boarding begins. A bag that sticks out even a little can be flagged when the flight is full.
There is no published standard carry-on weight limit on most U.S. routes, but you must be able to lift the bag into the bin without help. If it looks too heavy, agents can ask you to check it. Keep laptops and battery packs in the cabin; spare lithium cells and power banks are not allowed in checked bags under FAA rules.
Under-Seat Fit On Different Aircraft
Under-seat space varies by seat and plane. Window seats on many narrow-bodies have a sloped sidewall, while aisle seats gain a bit of width. On large Airbuses and 737s, most standard purses slide in sideways. On some regional jets, the center seat can offer the best under-seat height. If your purse has rigid feet, turn it on its side for better clearance.
Measure at home to avoid surprises. Place your purse against a sheet of cardboard cut to 18 x 14 inches. Pack it as you would for the trip, then check the depth stays at or under 8 inches after zipping pockets. If it passes this home test, it will line up with AA’s personal item box.
Packing Tips So Your Purse Stays A Personal Item
Shape And Hardware
Choose flat sides and low-profile hardware. Big buckles, tassels, or wide rings can snag on the seat frame and steal space. A purse with a zip top is safer during boarding and keeps small items from spilling when you push it under the seat.
Smart Use Of Pouches
Use two thin pouches: one for tech and one for care items. Pack cables in a tidy coil.
What To Leave Out
- Full-size water bottles. Buy a small one after security or bring a collapsible bottle.
- Hard-cover books. Swap for a slim paperback or load content on your phone.
- Large makeup bags. Repack into travel pans or mini sticks to save depth.
Security Line Tactics
Keep keys and coins in a zip pocket until you reach the belt. Put watches and bracelets in the purse before you step into the body scanner. Place laptops and tablets in a separate bin when the officer asks. Battery rules are strict: spare lithium cells and power banks must stay in your carry-on or purse, never in checked bags, per FAA PackSafe.
Special Cases And Allowances
Traveling with an infant? You can bring a child safety seat and a stroller to the gate, and the airline handles them free of charge at the door of the plane on most routes. A small soft cooler for breast milk is welcome in the cabin. Travelers who use wheelchairs, canes, or CPAP machines may bring those items in addition to the standard 1 carry-on plus 1 personal item.
These items are handled outside your purse and carry-on count, and staff give them priority because they relate to safety or care. If you need help, arrive early and speak with an agent at the podium. Tag special gear before boarding starts to avoid delays in the jet bridge.
When A Purse Becomes The Carry-On
If your purse is closer to a weekender than a handbag, treat it as the carry-on from the start. That means you’ll need to place your smaller bag under the seat. Many travelers run into trouble here: the “small bag” is actually a second tote. Switch to a compact sling or a thin laptop sleeve so you stay within the 1+1 rule.
Common Items And Where They Go
Use this table to sort popular items between the purse, the carry-on, and checked bags. Follow the FAA battery rule any time a lithium cell is involved.
| Item | Where It Goes | Extra Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Purse or small handbag | Personal item under seat | Keep depth at or under 8 inches. |
| Laptop and charger | Personal item or carry-on | Remove at security when asked. |
| Power bank / spare lithium battery | Carry-on or purse | Cabin only; never in checked bags (FAA PackSafe). |
| Camera with installed battery | Carry-on | Spare cells in original covers or taped at terminals. |
| Full-size toiletries | Checked bag | Carry travel sizes to pass the liquid rule lines faster. |
Gate And Boarding Realities
Boarding groups fill bins fast. Keep your purse straps short so you can slide it under the seat in one motion while you lift the cabin bag above. If staff announce limited space, have your tech pouch and meds ready to pull from the carry-on before a gate check tag goes on.
On a packed flight, agents may scan the line for second bags that look like shoulder totes. Tuck your purse under your arm and keep your cabin bag handle in the other hand to make the 1+1 setup clear. If you are asked to combine items, place the purse on top of the roller inside the sizer to show it fits under the seat on its own.
On small regional planes, bins can be too small for standard rollers. In that case, staff collect cabin bags at the aircraft door and hand them back planeside on arrival. Your purse stays with you on board, which is another reason to keep meds, eyewear, and keys inside it rather than in the roller.
Mini Packing Checklist For AA Flights
- One purse that fits 18 x 14 x 8 under the seat.
- One cabin bag that fits 22 x 14 x 9 in the sizer.
- Passport or ID, boarding pass, and any visas.
- Medication, glasses, and a pen in the purse.
- Laptop, charger, and a short cable reachable.
- A light layer that compresses inside the cabin bag.
- Empty bottle to fill after security, or buy a small one airside.
- Snack with packaging that seals shut.
Final Check Before You Fly
You can bring a purse and a carry-on on American Airlines in all cabins, Basic Economy included. Keep the purse under the seat and the cabin bag within the sizer. Measure at home, pack light in the purse, and keep anything with a lithium cell in the cabin with you. With that setup, you move through the airport cleanly and board with confidence.