Travel Tips

American Airlines Baggage Policy

Getting your baggage checked before you board your flight can be quite a task. This is true, especially when you are unaware of the details of the baggage policy of the airline you are traveling with.

Further, this little mistake on your hand will end up affecting your travel budget.

Therefore, knowing about the baggage policy of the airline when you book airfare to India from the USA is an excellent idea.

It will help you pack your stuff well, and you will not have to waste any time with the TSA officials at the security check.

If you have an online flight booking to India with American Airlines, we are here with all the details about the baggage policy of this US airline. Have a look:

American Airlines Hand Baggage Policy

When you book flight tickets from the USA to India with American Airlines, you do not have to worry much.

The airline has a rather simple and straightforward policy for all the allowances and restrictions on your bags.

And when it comes to your handheld or carry-on baggage, you must know the following:

  • Number of Pieces You Can Carry

In an American Airlines flight to India, you can only bring one bag as a carry-on. Along with this, the airline allows its passengers to bring one personal item with them.

Further, when you bring this luggage, you must keep the dimension restrictions in mind. And it must also fit inside the overhead bin easily.

  •  Dimensions of Your Carry-On

You can readily find cheap tickets to India with this airline. However, messing up with your luggage can cost you some money.

And we are confident that you do not want that. Thus, make sure that the overall dimensions of your carry-one must never be more than 45 inches.

When you break this into the categories of length, breadth, and height, these must be 22, 14, and 9 inches, respectively.

Further, in the case of the measurements in centimeters, these values are 56, 36, and 23 cm, as per the American Airlines Baggage Policy.

Moreover, every item that you have in your bag must fit in well. In case it restricts you from putting your baggage in the overhead bin or underneath your seat, you will have to include it in the check-in luggage.

Thus, when you book tickets to India online and pack your handheld baggage, make sure to keep these things in mind.

  • Soft-Sided Garment Bag

Following the American Airlines Baggage Policy, you can even carry a soft-sided garment bag as handheld baggage.

And for this, the linear dimensions must never be more than 51 inches or 130 cm.

(The linear dimensions here refer to the sum of length, width, and height of your bag. Also, it includes all the handles and pockets it has.)

  • Bowling Ball and Bowling Ball Cleaners

In all flights to Cochin or anywhere in India with the airline, you can bring three bowling balls as a carry-on.

Further, you cannot place these under the overhead bin. Therefore, they must fit only under the seat.

Besides, in the case of bowling ball cleaners, American Airlines has a strict policy. You cannot bring those with high amounts of acetone.

Also, the airline does not allow anything that has more than 70% of alcohol in it. So, if these cleaners fall under this category, refrain from bringing them with you.

  • Musical Instruments:

In all American Airlines cheap flights to India from the USA, you can even bring along musical instruments as carry-on luggage.

However, the only criterion for this is that it must fit in the overhead bin. Alternatively, it can even go underneath the seat in front of you. Further, this facility by the airline is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hence, the only thing that you need to follow to avail of this is to reach the airport in time.

Make sure to follow this, especially for your cheap international flight tickets from India to the USA with the airline.

Furthermore, in case these do not fit into the overhead bin, you need not worry. American Airlines has a solution to this. However, it will lead to adding to your travel expenses.

You can also consider getting a ticket for a bulkhead window seat next to your seat.

  • Parachute:

If the parachute you need to bring along meets the size requirements, you can carry it on your cheap flights to the USA from India. Also, these must be devoid of gas cylinders that can be dangerous.

  • Personal Items:

Along with your carry-on, American Airlines also allows all its passengers to carry a personal item.

It may range from your laptop and purse to a hat and coat. Thus, when you book tickets to India, you can bring one of these along without a worry.

Further, when it comes to the dimensions of these personal items, it must be smaller than your carry-on.

And it must not exceed more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Also, it needs to fit in the overhead bin or the seat in front of you.

Besides, there are some additional items that you can bring on all American Airlines flights. These include:

  1. A Pillow or blanket
  2. Duty-free items
  3. Medical devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, etc.
  4. Book
  5. Newspaper
  6. A small bag of food
  7. An approved safety seat for lap-infants

American Airlines Check-in Baggage Policy

Once you are clear about all the rules regarding the carry-on policy of American Airlines, now is the time to learn about the check-in baggage policy, as well.

Here is what you must know about it when you find the cheap US to India flight fare with this airline.

  • Number of Pieces You Can Bring Along:

The standard amount of baggage pieces than you can carry is two as per the policy of American Airlines.

However, with some additional charges, you can check-in up to five to ten bags. It depends on your itinerary and fare.

  • Weight and Dimensions of Your Check-In Baggage:

On a flight to Mumbai with this airline, the dimensions for your checked baggage must not exceed 62 inches or 158 cm.

Furthermore, there is a weight limit on these bags, as well. And this depends on the class you are traveling in. It is as follows:

  1. Economy: 50 pounds or 23 kg
  2. First Class: 70 pounds or 32 kg
  3. Business Class: 70 pounds or 32 kg
  • Complimentary Bags:

When you book cheap air flights to the USA or anywhere with American Airlines, it offers up to three complimentary check-in bags for certain passengers.

These passengers usually are active US Military personnel and their family, OneWorld Emerald members, first customers on 3-cabin aircraft, or AAdvantage Executive Platinum members.

American Airlines Baggage Fee

If any of your bags exceed the limit set by American Airlines, you will have to pay some fee for it. Also, this will depend on the route of your travel.

  • Excess Baggage:

If you have New York to Mumbai tickets with the airlines, pay attention to the following:

  1. You must always check large and non-collapsible strollers at the ticket counter.
  2. For strollers weighing more than 20 pounds, you need to do the same.
  3. You can even carry your pets as checked-in luggage. However, for this, you need a valid health certificate for it.
  • Excess Baggage Fee:

When you buy airline tickets with American Airlines, the third bag will cost you $150. And for the fourth bag, this amount is $200.

However, this is valid for domestic travel in the US only. And this fee is the same in case you travel to Canada, as well.

Further, you need to pay the same amount Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America too.

However, when you travel to Brazil, both the bags will cost you $85 each. And in the case of transpacific and transatlantic routes, it is $200 each.

  • Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fee:

In case the weight or the dimensions of your bags exceed the limit set by American Airlines, it will fall under either of the two categories.

Further, the amount you have to pay for these will depend entirely on your travel itinerary.

Here is all you must know about American Airlines Baggage Policy when you book cheap flight deals from the USA to India with it.

Keep these rules of the policy in mind, and you will not have to spend anything extra for your luggage.