Is American Airlines strict in baggage allowance?
Is American Airlines Strict when it comes to Baggage Allowance?
American Airlines is one of the biggest airlines that flies hundreds of passengers per day. They have a huge route network and most of them operate frequently so they suit both businessmen and tourists. However, there are many complaints about the strict rules on baggage policies that many passengers encounter from America. Here, we must ascertain whether or not American Airlines is strict in terms of its checked and carry-on baggage policies.
Checked Baggage Allowance
American Airlines' main cabin allows one piece of checked baggage, which may not exceed 23 kg or 50 lbs in weight. This is quite common across the majority of carriers within the United States of America. You also can check a second piece of luggage for a cost of $30 to $200, depending on the route and airline. The price for the second bag is already steep, and anything beyond the second is considered excess baggage and will cost you an arm and a leg.
Thus, American is set apart from rivals in terms of charging for the second checked-in bag, even though their free baggage allowance is as much as rivals’. Other major US airlines, such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, etc permit passengers to check two bags free of charge. And in that respect, it is all the more possible to view America as having a stricter policy.
However, where it is connected to certain international routes flown by its partner airlines, the allowance may vary. While some passengers are booking classes and destinations, passengers are allowed to check two free bags. However, for the majority of its routes, American Airlines only permits one free checked bag per passengers.
Carry-On Baggage Policies
The area in which American Airlines differs from its rivals the most is its checked baggage policy; however, the airline doesn’t have a clearly defined carry-on baggage policy. Airlines such as Delta have always been much more stringent with their current carry-on allowance than other US airlines.
Within many cabins, America permits only one piece of carry-on luggage, such as a handbag or laptop bag, that must be stowed under the seat.
Passengers are also allowed only one carry-on bag, which cannot exceed:
- Dimensions: It measures 22H x 14W x 9D inches (56H x 36W x 23D cm, including handles and wheels).
- Weight: 18 lbs, which is about 8 kg
The single carry-on rule is consistent across all flights, though they do offer basic economy fares that allow no overhead bin space. As it has been established, most US airlines permit at least one carry-on bag along with a personal item for economy-class passengers.
Thus, Americans have been subjected to new rules implemented in 2018 to reduce the allowed carry-on luggage by half for many passengers. As people try to pack everything at once to meet the one-bag rule on American flights, some of them have complained.
Exceptions to Carry-on Limits
While strict in economy, passengers booking certain premium fares are exempt from American's tight carry-on limits, including: While strict in economy, passengers booking certain premium fares are exempt from American's tight carry-on limits, including:
- First-class tickets
- Business-class tickets
- International and transcontinental flights specific to premium economy tickets
- Eligible customers are Advantage Executive Platinum & Platinum Pro frequent flyers.
These privileged passengers can continue to onboard one carry-on bag along with one personal item.
Excess Carry-on Fees
Considering the above restrictions, passengers willing to carry another bag as carry-on luggage are liable to be charged. Should gate agents recognize too large or too many carry-ons, they may be required to check it in at the gate, and you have to pay the corresponding fees.
At airports in North and South America, the charge for taking abusive amounts of carry-on items is $25 if one pays at the gate or $35 if one pays at the boarding door. In other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia-Pacific, it charges around $100 – $200 for an extra bag, depending on the distance.
However, do not underestimate the fact that American personnel do look out for rule violators. This means that you should not be amazed if you are forced to check in any pieces that you have deemed fit to carry along with you in the main cabin on their flights.
Reasons Behind Strict Policies
American Airlines maintains these allowances purportedly to:
- Organized to facilitate the speed-up of the boarding and deplaning procedures
- Eliminate some or all of the free checked luggage to lower expenditure.
- Reduce the number of items in cabins and make meal services more convenient for the crew.
- Possibly, trying to attract more customers to pay for checked luggage
By limiting the size and type of personal items, American Airlines is seeking to reduce the time it takes to disembark and load passengers, especially on busy flight routes. Lower overhead bin use also has effects on the efficiency of the boarding and deboarding of passengers.
However, some of the regular visitors to the country—that is, Americans—regard these policies as unfair means of generating extra revenues through baggage charges. Albeit being legally effective, the measures have brought a negative perception to Americans’ brand image and have eroded the customer base in the long run.
American's Perspective
American Airlines ensures that its baggage policies balance user convenience with the need to achieve efficiency and thus, they have kept these policies as understandable as possible to the users. A spokeswoman also said that full-size carry-ons remain allowed if needed for medical purposes.
The guests booking the premium seats also receive even greater baggage allowance than anyone else would experience. And they allege they offer ‘more choice’ to the passengers.
They also point out that they do achieve on-time performance and deliver shareholder value by improving processes. American believes its measures help to ensure operational reliability, thus negating any perceived discontent from the customers.
In conclusion, one must agree that American Airlines has a highly standardized and, at the same time, rather greed-oriented approach to managing baggage, particularly in economy class. Their current policies, especially the ones on baggage allowance, can be easily described as strict, especially on matters concerning carry-on baggage, compared to average US airline associations.
As for America, it has good and reasonable explanations for these policies; however, many passengers find real problems under the guise of cost reduction and growing incremental revenues. Thus, if you do not choose the leading seats, you will find American Airlines rather unmoved by the need to adhere to baggage rules and restrictions.
Book your American Airlines ticket now and experience comfort and reliability. Call +1 833-902-2090 to speak with our travel experts.