American Airlines Checked Bag Fee: 2026 Fare Table

For an eligible American Airlines itinerary ticketed on or after April 9, 2026, the published Main Cabin fee for a standard first checked bag is $50 at the airport or $45 online. The second is $60 at the airport or $55 online. Basic Economy has a later change: tickets issued on or after May 18, 2026 have first and second bag fees that are $5 higher than Main Cabin. These are conditional base charges, not a price for every AA flight.

Match the fare, ticket date and payment channel

American’s table covers more places than the U.S. route shown here. But Cuba, Haiti, Panama, parts of South America, and long-haul trips can have different prices or included bags. If you’re flying one of those routes, use American’s row for that destination. A ticket issued before April 9 can have an earlier price too, so check the issue date before using the table.

What counts as a standard piece?

American's ordinary checked-bag box is 62 linear inches (outside length + width + height) and 50 lb for the relevant standard economy piece. A bag over either threshold can have a separate excess charge or an acceptance limit. An included bag from a fare, card or status is not an automatic waiver of overweight or oversized charges. Measure wheels and handles, and use the checked bag size calculator for the three outside dimensions.

For a traveler with two qualifying standard Main Cabin bags, the listed base components add to $100 online or $110 at the airport for one direction. A matching return would repeat the components only if fare, carrier, benefits, bags and dates truly match. The table excludes applicable tax and any excess charge. It is an example of the published row, not a booking receipt.

Online payment and free-bag checks

American says eligible travelers can pay online until two hours before departure for AA-marketed and operated itineraries; its discount has destination exclusions. Confirm that the bag product appears in your booking and that the $5 discount applies to both pieces before paying. Save the receipt. Airport-paid bag fees have restrictive refund terms, and a later upgrade that includes a bag does not automatically refund a fee already paid.

Before adding a charge, look at the fare you bought and any AAdvantage card, status, military, or premium-cabin benefit you already have. A partner may fly part of the trip too. The American airline profile covers those bigger policy questions. The fee calculator can show the standard rate when your fare and dates match; for anything else, check with American directly.