🧳FitsOnBoardCheck a bag
American Airlines logo

American Airlines cabin bag size

Everything you can bring on board American Airlines — sizes, weight and cost.

✓ Verified · 7 Sept 2026Official American Airlines policy ↗
Researched and maintained by FitsOnBoard editorial teamPublished by the FitsOnBoard teamLast updated: Editorial standards
Free allowance
56 × 36 × 23 cm
22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in
Free on all fares
Check your bag against American Airlines →

American Airlines cabin baggage explained

American Airlines includes one carry-on and one personal item, including on Basic Economy. It publishes fixed maximum dimensions for both, which makes the result easier to calculate than a policy based only on “fit under the seat.”

What your fare changes

The personal item is limited to about 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm). The carry-on is about 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Both are included, while checked-bag pricing is a separate part of the ticket.

What to check before you fly

The carry-on measurement includes wheels and handles and the bag must fit the airport sizer. Smaller regional aircraft or airports can impose additional restrictions, so keep essentials in the personal item if the larger bag is valet-checked.

Full baggage allowance

AllowanceMax sizeWeightFareCost
Personal item / under-seat
≈ 18 × 14 × 8 in. Must fit under the seat.
45 × 35 × 20 cm
17.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in
—All faresFree
Cabin bag / carry-on
≈ 22 × 14 × 9 in, including wheels & handles.
56 × 36 × 23 cm
22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in
—All faresFree

Worked bag-size example

Take a US-size roll-aboard measuring 55 × 35 × 22 cm. Compare it with the cabin-bag limit of 56 × 36 × 23 cm.

Side-by-side calculation
56 − 55 = 1 cm · 36 − 35 = 1 cm · 23 − 22 = 1 cm

The smallest dimensional margin is 1 cm, so the bag is within the size limit.

We compare the three outside edges after orientation, including protruding parts. A result with less than 0.5 cm of clearance is marked tight because measuring and packing can change the real size.

American Airlines baggage FAQ

What size cabin bag can I take on American Airlines?+

American Airlines's cabin bag limit is 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in). Measure your bag including wheels and handles.

Does American Airlines include a free personal item?+

Yes — American Airlines lets you bring a personal item up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm that must fit under the seat in front of you at no extra cost.

How do I check if my bag fits American Airlines?+

Measure height, width and depth in cm or inches and enter them into the checker — you'll see instantly whether your bag fits American Airlines for free, is tight, or is over the limit, with the exact margin.

Compare with other airlines