Baggage tips and information

Baggage Service Information
The baggage section is located in the terminal 1 Hall c.

Contact
Tel: 00 49 (0) 69 69 03 28 21
Email: baggage.fra@aa.com

Opening Hours
6.30 AM - 3 PM from Monday to Sunday.

Baggage Tips and Information

Important update:
For customers purchasing Economy Class tickets on or after September 14, 2009, between Belgium, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland and the United States including U.S. Territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the charge for checking a second bag will change. Travelers may check one bag for no charge and a second bag for $50. The changes apply to any flight operated by American Airlines.

• Baggage cannot be checked prior to the day of departure
• Your baggage will only be checked to your final destination
• All checked baggage will be screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For more information about the TSA, go to www.tsa.gov*
• All carry-on baggage is subject to inspection by the TSA Your name and address must be on the outside of your baggage. Name tags are available at all airport baggage check-in locations

We Recommend That You

• Do not lock your baggage due to Transportation Security Administration screening of every checked bag.
• Place your name and address on the inside as well as the outside of your baggage
• Carry valuable items such as electronic equipment, cameras, film, cash and jewelry with you on board the aircraft
• Carry necessary items such as medication, prescriptions and keys with you on board the aircraft
• Claim your baggage immediately upon arrival

Look for locks that identify the use of a "TSA-recognized locking mechanism." Only locks that state this use of a TSA-recognized locking mechanism are recommended for use in locking your baggage. For more information, please visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov*

How Your Luggage is Checked

When you check your luggage, the airport agent will put a bag tag on each bag that indicates your name, the flight number(s), and all cities in your ticketed itinerary. This information comes from our Sabre® computer reservation system.

Tip: If you are deviating from your ticketed itinerary, please advise the airport agent before checking your luggage.

You will be given a numbered claim check for each bag that is checked. These serve as proof of checked baggage. It is important that you keep the claim check(s) until your trip is completed and you have received all of your checked baggage.

Tip: Please check to ensure that the number of claim checks you were given corresponds to the number of bags you checked.

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How Your Luggage Travels

From the ticket counter, your baggage is placed on a series of conveyor belts. The conveyor belts transport baggage to a location where bags are loaded into carts according to flight number and destination. In our large airports, automated scanners read the code on the bag tag and direct the bag to the correct loading area. Your bag will go through a series of conveyor belts, chutes,
and other mechanisms before reaching the point where it is loaded into a cart and taken out to the aircraft.

Tip: Please remove any straps, hangers, and protruding objects from your bag before checking it. These may get caught in the baggage system and cause damage to your bag. Bags that are bulging or are not sufficiently constructed to support the weight inside may split during the trip through the bag belt system.

The baggage is loaded in the cargo compartment of the aircraft, usually using another conveyor belt. Due to the amount of space in the compartment, bags may have to be placed flat and stacked on top of each other. Although the baggage compartments are secured with nets or straps, bags can shift during flight due to the plane's angle during take-off.

Tip: As this is the standard or normal way all bags are transported, breakage or damage to fragile items may be unavoidable.
Do not pack fragile items inside your checked luggage.

*By following this link, you will be taken to an information site. Use the back button on your browser to return.

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Delayed Baggage

American Airlines and American Eagle have devoted extensive resources and efforts to ensure our customers and their bags travel on the same flight. In the event your checked bags do not arrive on your flight, reasonable efforts will be made to ensure
that the bag is returned to you within 24 hours. Since we cannot guarantee the delivery of baggage by another carrier, our goal
to return bags within 24 hours applies only when we are the carrier taking you to your final destination. Returning your bags
may take longer on international flights due to flight duration, frequency of flights, or Customs and Immigration procedures at
the destination airport.

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, prompt notification of a lost or delayed bag assists us in the timely return of your property. Please report missing baggage as soon as possible

If you are unable to locate a checked bag upon arrival at your destination, you should notify an agent at the local American Airlines/American Eagle baggage service desk located in the carousel area prior to leaving the airport, or at the latest, within 24 hours after arrival.

You will then be given a Baggage Claim ID and a brochure explaining the baggage
recovery process. Please refer to your six-letter file locator in all conversation and correspondence regarding your claim.

Our automated baggage tracing system helps us locate baggage throughout the world. The information you provide about your luggage - such as style, color, and contents - will enable us to search quickly and thoroughly.

Our Baggage Service desk will contact you periodically to keep you informed of our progress in locating your baggage.

In the unlikely event that we do not locate your bag within five days, our Central Baggage Service Department will take over the search for your missing bag. You will be asked to provide a more detailed list of the contents on a Property Questionnaire Form.

We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience should your bag be delayed. Such isolated incidents are not typical of American Airlines' high standard of service. We will make every effort to locate your property as quickly as possible.

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Damaged Baggage

In the unlikely event your baggage is damaged, it must be reported in person to an American Airlines Baggage Service Representative before leaving the airport, or at the latest, within 24 hours after you receive your bag, or within 7 days for international itineraries.

If your bag is damaged, please notify American Airlines in person before leaving the airport, or at the latest, within 24 hours after you receive your bag.

Please note: American is not liable for any damage resulting from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections. If the TSA has inspected your baggage, written notification will be placed inside the baggage or a seal will be placed on the outside of your baggage. You may contact the TSA at 1-866-289-9673 if you believe you baggage has been damaged as a result of a TSA inspection.

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Baggage Customer Service Contacts

Consequential Expenses
Consequential expenses authorized in advance of purchase by an American Airlines/American Eagle representative can be reimbursed with original receipts at any of our airport or city ticket office locations.

Baggage Delayed Five Days or Less

• Within the United States call Baggage Customer Service Desk (24 hours) 1-800-535-5225
• Outside the United States call The Baggage Service Department at the nearest airport Baggage Delayed Longer Than Five Days

Please write to us at:
American Airlines
Central Baggage Service
P. O. Box 619613 MD1322
DFW Airport TX USA 75261-9613
(You must include your six-letter Baggage Claim ID to receive a reply.)

• Within the United States and Canada call 1-800-866-4010
• Outside the United States and Canada call 1-972-425-5240 (This is not a toll free number)
• Please have your six letter baggage claim ID available when you call.

Damaged Baggage
All American Airlines/American Eagle airport locations handle the initial report (in person), evaluation and settlement of all damage claims.

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A few tips about Luggage

A word from the Luggage & Leather Goods Manufacturers of America, American Luggage Dealers Association, and International Luggage Repair Association.

Statistics have proven that a very small percentage of luggage is damaged during air travel.The few tips below will help you reduce that risk:

Things to Know When Buying New Luggage

• Purchase luggage to meet your most demanding traveling needs. People who travel extensively for business have different luggage needs than those who enjoy occasional leisurely travel. Your luggage retailer can help you make the best purchase if he knows what your needs and expectations are.
• Read the luggage warranty carefully. Know what types of damage the manufacturer does and does not cover.

Use Common Sense When Checking Luggage

• Only check luggage that is sturdy enough to withstand airline baggage handling systems.
• Never check a bag that doesn't completely close. If you need a luggage strap or bungee cord to keep the bag closed, it probably won't survive the trip.
• Never check a bag that is meant to be carried on. Most briefcases, tote bags, plastic garment covers, and items received through retail promotions are not designed to be checked luggage.
• Don't overpack. Overpacking puts a strain on zippers, seams, frames and hinges.
• Clearly label your luggage with your name, current address and phone number.
• Check your bag carefully in the luggage claims area before departing the airport.
• Consider replacing old or worn luggage. Luggage that is several years old may not be able to withstand today's automated baggage handling systems.

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