Traveller reference · AA
American Airlines
oneworld · IATA AA · the largest hub network in the United States
Travelaidnow is an independent travel agency and is not American Airlines, nor affiliated with or endorsed by it.
This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with American Airlines directly before you travel.
Official site: aa.comAmerican operates one of the largest hub systems anywhere, which shapes almost everything about flying with it. Most itineraries that are not point-to-point route through Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte or one of the other major hubs, and the quality of your trip often depends more on which hub you connect in than on the flight itself.
The other thing worth understanding before booking is the fare tier. American sells Basic Economy alongside standard Main Cabin, and the two look nearly identical on a results page while carrying very different rules on seating, changes and baggage. Most complaints about the airline trace back to a ticket bought without noticing which tier it was.
American Airlines at a glance
- IATA code
- AA
- ICAO code
- AAL
- Based in
- United States
- Alliance
- oneworld
- Type
- Full-service
- Frequent flyer
- AAdvantage
How American Airlines baggage works
Allowance on American is organised by fare tier and cabin rather than by weight alone. What you get depends on whether you hold a Basic Economy, Main Cabin, premium or business ticket, and on your AAdvantage status — two people on the same aircraft can have entirely different entitlements.
On transatlantic and most long-haul routes the airline uses a piece system, counting bags rather than totalling weight, with a per-bag weight ceiling. Domestic tickets generally include a carry-on and a personal item, with checked bags charged separately unless status or a co-branded card applies.
Because the tiers, the weight ceilings and the fees all change independently of one another, check the allowance attached to your specific booking reference on aa.com rather than relying on what applied last time you flew.
Check-in
Online check-in typically opens 24 hours before departure and is the practical choice: seat maps have usually settled by then, and it puts a boarding pass in your wallet app before you reach the airport.
Airport cutoffs differ by route and airport, and are considerably earlier for international departures than domestic ones. If you are checking a bag, the bag drop cutoff is the one that matters, and it closes before the check-in desk does.
Boarding
American boards by numbered groups printed on the boarding pass, running roughly from pre-boarding and premium cabins through status tiers and co-branded cardholders to Basic Economy last.
The practical consequence of a late group is overhead bin space rather than the seat itself. If you are in a final group with a full-size carry-on, expect to be asked to gate-check it on a busy flight — worth planning for if something in that bag needs to stay with you.
Before you fly American Airlines
Check whether your fare is Basic Economy
It is the single most consequential detail on an American ticket, and it is easy to miss when comparing results. The restrictions on seat selection and changes are much tighter than the fare difference suggests.
Connections at DFW and CLT are not equal
Dallas/Fort Worth is spread across five terminals linked by an airside train, while Charlotte concentrates traffic more tightly. A one-hour connection means different things at each; check the terminals, not just the clock.
oneworld status carries across
Status with British Airways, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines or another oneworld member generally brings priority and baggage benefits on American too. Adding the number at booking is easier than claiming afterwards.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
American Airlines — common questions
General guidance only. American Airlines sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at aa.com.
How much baggage does American Airlines allow?
It depends on your fare tier, cabin and AAdvantage status rather than on a single airline-wide figure, and long-haul routes are counted in pieces while the rules for domestic tickets differ again. We deliberately do not publish an amount here, because allowances and fees change and a stale number could cost you at the airport. Sign in to your booking on aa.com to see what applies to your ticket.
When does American Airlines check-in open?
Typically 24 hours before scheduled departure, through the website or app. The more important number is the cutoff at the other end, which varies by airport and is earlier for international flights and earlier still for bag drop. Confirm both for your departure airport rather than assuming they match a previous trip.
What is the difference between Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra?
Main Cabin Extra is a standard economy seat with additional legroom and earlier boarding, in the same cabin rather than a separate one. It is not premium economy, which on American is a distinct cabin with a different seat, service and baggage allowance on long-haul aircraft.