American Airlines carry-on size 2026

American Airlines' carry-on limit is 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm, with no published weight limit. The personal item limit is 45.7 × 35.6 × 20.3 cm, with no published weight limit. Wheels and handles count towards the size.

Last checked 2 Nov 2026 against a recent travel guide that quotes the rules.

American Airlines hand luggage limits

For the cheapest Economy ticket.

Bag	Size	Weight	Included
Carry-on	55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm	No published limit	Yes
Personal item	45.7 × 35.6 × 20.3 cm	No published limit	Yes

22 × 14 × 9 in. Basic Economy on most transatlantic routes is personal item only.
18 × 14 × 8 in.
No published carry-on weight limit.

Source: published guide, checked 2 Nov 2026. Report a change

Check your bag against American Airlines

Pick your bag or enter its size. Add connecting flights if you're changing planes.

Drag to turn it around, scroll or pinch to zoom

Loading the 3D view…

Side the bag fails onPart that sticks outSizer frame

Won't fit

Too wide by 1 cm. It's 36.6 cm side to side and American Airlines allows 35.6 cm.

BagAway Carry-On

Cabin bagAmerican Airlines

Length: 55.1of 55.9 cm0.8 cm spare
Width: 36.6of 35.6 cm1 cm over
Depth: 22.9of 22.9 cmExact fit

WeightNo published limit on American Airlines

Packed weightkg

Gate staff can still refuse a bag you can't lift into the bin yourself.

What you can do

Take a bag 35.6 cm wide or less. 3 bags we list fit.
Or check it in when you book. It's usually cheaper than paying at the gate.
Fits 2 other airlines, including Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. See all

See bags that fit American Airlines

American Airlines rules checked 2 Nov 2026. Source. Sizes include wheels and handles.

Bags that fit American Airlines' carry-on

3 of the bags we list fit. Each links to the full check.

Horizn Studios Gion Shoulder Bag27 × 18 × 5.5 cmFits17.4 cm to spareBag page
WANDF Personal Item Duffel45 × 32 × 16 cmFits3.6 cm to spareBag page
CabinZero Classic 36L45 × 31 × 20 cmFits2.9 cm to spareBag page

Popular bags that don't fit

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L56 × 33 × 23 cmWon't fit0.1 cm too deepBag page
Osprey Farpoint 4055.1 × 35.1 × 23.1 cmWon't fit0.2 cm too deepBag page
Cabin Max Metz 30L45 × 36 × 20 cmWon't fit0.4 cm too wideBag page
Away Carry-On55.1 × 36.6 × 22.9 cmWon't fit1 cm too wideBag page
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner58.4 × 38.1 × 24.8 cmWon't fit2.5 cm too wideBag page
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Expandable Spinner58.4 × 36.8 × 22.9 cmWon't fit2.5 cm too longBag page

How it compares with other North American airlines

Airline	Carry-on	Versus American Airlines
Air Canada	55 × 40 × 23 cm	11% more space
Delta Air Lines	55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm	Same space
Frontier Airlines	61 × 40.6 × 25.4 cm, 15.9 kg	38% more space
Southwest Airlines	61 × 40.6 × 25.4 cm	38% more space
United Airlines	55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm	Same space

American Airlines hand luggage questions

What size is the American Airlines carry-on?

American Airlines' carry-on limit is 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm, with no published weight limit. That includes wheels and handles.

What size personal item does American Airlines allow?

American Airlines' personal item limit is 45.7 × 35.6 × 20.3 cm, with no published weight limit. It's included on every fare.

Is the carry-on free on American Airlines?

Yes, the carry-on is included on American Airlines' cheapest fare.

Will a 22-inch carry-on fit American Airlines?

A standard 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) case: tight fit. Exactly the limit on at least one side. A bulging pocket would push it over.

Which bags fit American Airlines' carry-on limit?

3 of the 14 bags we list fit, including Horizn Studios Gion Shoulder Bag, WANDF Personal Item Duffel and CabinZero Classic 36L.