Personal-item bag · 16.5 × 11.8 × 5.9 in (41.9 × 30 × 15 cm)
Fits 3.8 cm (1.5 in) to spare on the length
American Airlines carry-on and personal item size
Checked against American Airlines' baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
18 × 14 × 8 in45 × 35 × 20 cm
Carry-on (overhead bin)
22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm
Will your bag fit American Airlines?
Personal item. Free on every fare. Must fit under the seat in front. No weight limit stated.
Carry-on. Included on every fare listed below. Wheels and handles count. One carry-on plus one personal item; size includes handles and wheels. No weight limit stated on the page.
What each American Airlines fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Carry-on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Included | Included | Full carry-on allowed, but boards last (Group 9); AA warns bins are often full, so plan to check the carry-on. |
| Main Cabin and above | Included | Included | Same 1 carry-on + 1 personal item allowance. |
Will a standard carry-on fit American Airlines?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On American Airlines it just fits, with under 1 cm to spare. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, doesn't fit (4.4 cm (1.7 in) too wide).
American Airlines' carry-on allowance holds about 45 litres. Only 26 of the 151 airlines we track have a smaller one.
Bags that fit American Airlines
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. 249 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare on every side, and another 210 are within a centimeter. 544 fit the carry-on size comfortably.
Personal item
Personal-item bag · 16.5 × 11.8 × 5.9 in (41.9 × 30 × 15 cm)
Fits 3.8 cm (1.5 in) to spare on the length
Personal-item bag · 15.4 × 12.6 × 5.9 in (39.1 × 32 × 15 cm)
Fits 3.6 cm (1.4 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 15.6 × 12.2 × 7.5 in (39.6 × 31 × 19.1 cm)
Fits 1.3 cm (0.5 in) to spare on the depth
Carry-on
Carry-on suitcase · 19.1 × 12.8 × 8.9 in (48.5 × 32.5 × 22.6 cm)
Tight 0.3 cm (0.1 in) to spare on the depth
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
All bags that fit American Airlines → · American Airlines basic economy bag rules →
If your bag is too big at the gate
American Airlines doesn't publish a gate fee on its baggage page. Source
Power banks on American Airlines
You can use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags. Keep within reach and visible while in use, in a personal item under the seat or seatback pocket; never in overhead bins. Do not recharge from seat power.
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Basic Economy boards in Group 9, so overhead space is often gone; AA suggests checking the carry-on.
- If your carry-on must be checked at the gate, remove batteries and e-cigarettes first.
- Spare (non-power-bank) lithium batteries of 100-160 Wh: up to 2 in carry-on.
Airlines with similar limits
- Delta Air Lines: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- United Airlines: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- JetBlue: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- WestJet: 22 × 14 × 9 in
American Airlines bag questions
What size is the American Airlines personal item?
American Airlines' free personal item can be up to 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm). Must fit under the seat in front. No weight limit stated.
How big can an American Airlines carry-on be?
Up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Wheels and handles count toward the size.
Which bags fit American Airlines' limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 249 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare and 544 fit the carry-on size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on American Airlines?
Yes, in your cabin bag only. You can use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags.
Sources. cabin baggage page · power bank / restricted items page · Basic Economy fare page. Rules checked 5 October 2026. Some details the airline doesn’t publish are marked as such above. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Will This Bag Fit is independent and not affiliated with American Airlines.