Bag and optional fees

Special notice

Save time and get the best price available when you pay for your checked bags online within 24 hours of departure for travel on domestic flights within and between the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, and select markets in the Caribbean and Central America.

For tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024, save $5 on the 1st checked bag fee when you pay online on aa.com or the app for travel within and between the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bag fees

All published bag fees apply at each check-in location and are base rates according to travel dates and destination; applicable taxes are not shown.

Carry-on bags

You're allowed 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item in all cabins.

Carry-on bags

Checked bags

Bag fees have been updated effective for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024.

Travel within / between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands – 1st checked bag fee is $40 ($35 if you pay online) and the 2nd checked bag fee is $45.

Travel to / from Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana – 1st checked bag fee is $35 and the 2nd checked bag fee is $45.

All bag fees are non-refundable and apply per person, each way, even if you buy or get an upgrade that includes free checked bags. If you believe you were incorrectly charged for bag fees, contact an American representative for help or file a refund claim within 45 days.

First bag This content can be expanded
Regions Basic Economy Main Cabin^ Premium Economy Business First Notes
Within and between U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands $40* $40* $0 $0 $0 *$30 for tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024 and $40 for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024.
Within and between Canada and U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands $35* $35* $0 $0 $0 *$30 for tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024 and $35 for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024.
Between Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama) and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada
Or between Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Cuba / Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama)
$35* $35* Not available $0 $0 *$30 for tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024 and $35 for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024.
From U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Haiti) to Cuba $35* $0 Not available $0 $0 *One-way into Cuba a $30 1st bag fee applies to Basic Economy for tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024 and $35 for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024. Round trips originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (including Haiti) free 1st bag on the return.
From Cuba to U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (including Haiti) $0 $0 Not available $0 $0
To or from Haiti $35* $0 Not available $0 $0 *A $30 1st bag fee applies to Basic Economy for tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024 and $35 for tickets issued on / after February 20, 2024.
Between Guyana, Suriname and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (excluding Haiti and Cuba), Central America (excluding Panama) $35* $35* Not available $0 $0 *$30 for tickets issued on/before February 19, 2024 and $35 for tickets issued on/after February 20, 2024.
Between Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America $45 $0 $0 $0 $0
Between South America (excluding Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Suriname) and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America $60 $0 $0 $0 $0
Between Israel and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America $75 $0 $0 $0 $0
Between Qatar and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America $75 $0 $0 $0 $0
Between Europe and U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (including Haiti), Central America, South America
Or connecting via Europe to another destination
$75 $0 $0 $0 $0
To or from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand $75 $0 $0 $0 $0

^Main Plus includes 1 extra free checked bag in addition to the Main Cabin allowance (max of 2).

Bag limitations

Second bag This content can be expanded
Third bag This content can be expanded
Fourth bag + This content can be expanded
Overweight bags This content can be expanded
Oversize bags This content can be expanded

AV and sports equipment

Audiovisual equipment

If you are checking audiovisual equipment, standard bag fees apply unless you're an eligible member of a media or entertainment company for which special rates apply.

Special items and sports equipment

Sports equipment

Javelins, vaulting poles, and hang gliders are not accepted as checked items. Contact a freight forwarder.

For all classes of service, standard first, second, additional or overweight bag fees apply for:

  • Archery equipment
  • Baseball bats
  • Bicycle
  • Bowling1
  • Camping equipment
  • Cricket, hockey or lacrosse2
  • Curling
  • Fencing
  • Fishing gear3
  • Golf clubs
  • Oars / paddles
  • Parachute
  • Scuba gear (without tanks)
  • Shooting equipment4
  • Skateboard
  • Snow skis5
  • Snowboards5
  • Tennis, badminton, squash or racquetball
  • Water skis5
  • Water sports boards (including surfboards, kiteboards / kitesurf, wakeboards, wave ski, boogie, skim, paddle or speed boards)

1 Maximum of 3 bowling balls.

2 1 stick or bat bag and 1 equipment bag with a combined weight of up to 50 lbs / 23 kgs count as 1 piece.

3 1 fishing rod case and one equipment / tackle box or bag count as 1 piece.

4 To, through or from London Heathrow (LHR) - $80 per case.

5 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard and 1 equipment bag with a combined weight of up to 50 lbs / 23 kgs count as 1 piece.

For all classes of service, $150 sports equipment fee applies up to 70 lbs / 32 kgs for:

  • Antlers
  • Scuba gear (with tanks)
  • Windsurf

Specialty and sports

Ticketing and other fees

Service1, 2 Basic Economy Main Cabin Premium Economy Business First Notes
Same-day flight change Starting at $50 unless you qualify for other exceptions Not available $0 $0 Price varies by itinerary
Customers requiring extra space 2 tickets at the same rate if arranged when you buy the original ticket 2 tickets at the same rate if arranged when you buy the original ticket 2 tickets at the same rate if arranged when you buy the original ticket 2 tickets at the same rate if arranged when you buy the original ticket Higher rate may apply for additional space if advanced arrangements are not made
Assistance by Reservations $50 $50 $50 $50 Applies for voluntary trip changes not initially created by American Airlines Reservations or on aa.com
Airport ticket counter and Admirals Club-issued tickets $35 for travel within the U.S., Canada $0 $0 $0 Fees vary by country (includes voluntary trip changes)
Tickets issued by American Airlines travel centers Suspended until further notice Suspended until further notice Suspended until further notice Suspended until further notice Exception: Due to government requirements, the ticketing fee is still applicable in Colombia
Voluntary change to ticket before day of travel $0 for travel beginning in North or South America

Up to $400 if different point of origin
$0 for travel beginning in North or South America

Up to $400 if different point of origin
$0 for travel beginning in North or South America

Up to $400 if different point of origin
$0 for travel beginning in North or South America

Up to $400 if different point of origin
Fee varies depending on type of ticket purchased
Voluntary cancellation of a Basic Economy fare ticket before first flight departs $99 for AAdvantage® members traveling within the 50 U.S. states Applies to tickets booked directly with American and canceled on aa.com or the American app on / after January 17, 2024

1AAdvantage® status members are exempt from some fees.

2Except in cases noted in the chart, ticketing fees apply at all American Airlines locations.

Inflight products and services

Product or service* Main Cabin Premium Economy Business First Notes
Preferred Seats $4-$139 Not available Not available Not available Per flight; price varies by flight
Main Cabin Extra $20-$280 Not available Not available Not available Per flight; price varies by flight
Priority $9-$74 Not available Not available Not available Each way; price varies by itinerary
Paid upgrade Not available $40-$90 per
500-mile segment
$40-$90 per
500-mile segment
$40-$90 per
500-mile segment
Per passenger on eligible itineraries. Price on some international itineraries may be outside the adjacent price range due to currency fluctuations and taxes
Five Star ServiceSM Not available Not available Not available Not available $350 at select airports

*AAdvantage® status members receive complimentary access to some options.

AAdvantage® status benefits

Children and animals

Service Main Cabin Premium Economy Business First Notes
Unaccompanied minor fee $150* $150* $150* $150* Each way, plus applicable taxes, in addition to the ticket price.
Service animals providing assistance for traveler $0 $0 $0 $0 Certain restrictions apply based on your itinerary; not allowed for transporting an animal for training
Carry-on pet
Within / between U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean (if the country allows entry); not allowed to Hawaii
$150^ $150^ $150^ $150^ Per kennel. Certain restrictions apply based on your itinerary.
Checked pet for active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only^^
Within / between U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Caribbean
$200 $200 $200 $200 Per kennel. Certain restrictions apply based on your itinerary.
Checked pet for active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only^^
Between the U.S. and Brazil
$150 $150 $150 $150 Per kennel
Cargo pet Varies. Fees will be confirmed at time of booking.

*Amount quoted in U.S. dollar (USD).

Flights within the U.S. are subject to a 7% tax, and flights originating in Canada are charged a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

^For tickets issued on / before February 19, 2024, the carry-on pet fee per kennel is $125. Certain restrictions apply based on your itinerary.

^^Fees shown apply for each destination without a voluntary stopover / connection of 4 hours or more. If your trip includes a voluntary stopover / connection of more than 4 hours, fees apply for each connection segment. All pet fees are non-refundable and apply per kennel, each way. Fees for transporting your pet with American Airlines Cargo may vary depending on the trip details and size of the animal and kennel.

AAdvantage® products

AAdvantage® Mileage Multiplier

$0.035 per mile (plus 7.5% federal excise tax)

Mileage multiplier

Buy miles

From $0.023 to $0.035 per mile depending on the number of miles purchased (plus 7.5% federal excise tax)

Gift miles

From $0.023 to $0.035 per mile depending on the number of miles purchased (plus 7.5% federal excise tax)

Transfer miles

$0.005 mileage transfer cost per mile

Buy, gift and transfer miles Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Reactivate miles

Expired miles may be eligible for reactivation. Prices to reinstate depend on number of miles being reactivated; cost varies from $60 to $2,000 per transaction.

Reactivate miles

Food and drinks

Service Main Cabin* Business Class First Class Notes
Food for sale $5-$11 $0 $0 Food selections vary by month and limited quantities available
Beer $8 $0 $0 Complimentary on select international flights and Main Cabin Extra on domestic flights. Selection may vary and limited quantities available
Red, white and sparkling wine $10 $0 $0 Complimentary on select international flights and Main Cabin Extra on domestic flights. Selection may vary and limited quantities available
Spirits $10 $0 $0 Complimentary on select international flights and Main Cabin Extra on domestic flights. Selection may vary and limited quantities available

*ConciergeKey® and AAdvantage Executive Platinum® members traveling in the Main Cabin get a complimentary drink and snack.

Wi-Fi and entertainment

Service Main Cabin Business Class First Class Notes
Domestic inflight Wi-Fi $10* $10* $10* *Available on almost all routes for as little as $10. Monthly and annual subscriptions also available at a flat rate of $49.95
International inflight Wi-Fi $10 $10 $10 *Available on almost all routes for as little as $10. Monthly and annual subscriptions also available at a flat rate of $49.95
In-seat entertainment $0 $0 $0
Wireless entertainment $0 $0 $0
Earbuds $0* $0* $0* *Complimentary on select flights

Region definitions

Bag regions

Other airlines

oneworld® airline partners

Optional service fees may be different and products may vary on flights operated by our airline partners. For details, please visit the operating carrier's website.

Other airline partners

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