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AA Starts Luggage Charge

May 26, 2008

The following applies only to travel within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada unless otherwise stated. Please check with our Reservations personnel for International policies or information not covered below.  

IMPORTANT: Please refer to recent updates to carry-on baggage restrictions for the most current information regarding carry-on liquids. Please note that one carry-on personal item (see "Carry-on Allowance") does not count toward the free bag allowance. The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
 
Baggage checked to London

Passengers connecting between London Gatwick and London Heathrow are required to claim their checked baggage upon arrival in London, clear Customs with checked and hand baggage, and proceed directly to the connecting airport.

Baggage checked to/through/from Europe and Asia

The following is in conjunction with mandates regarding baggage checked to/through/from any destination in Europe and Asia. 

• 50 lbs/23 kgs or less - two pieces weighing no more than 50 lbs/23 kgs each will be accepted free of charge
• Over 50 lbs/23 kgs but less than 70 lbs/32 kgs - is subject to a $50 USD overweight baggage fee (Maximum of three excess pieces will be accepted.)
• 70 lbs/32 kgs - will not be accepted

This policy only applies to passengers traveling on American to/through/from any destination in Europe or Asia. If you have baggage weighing over this limits, please repack or redistribute the weight into other baggage.

Excess, Oversize and Overweight Baggage and Fees

We realize that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the free allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.

Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline's excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges in addition to American Airlines charges. All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport ticket counter.

Also note the following:

• Baggage weighing more than 100 lbs/45 kgs will not be accepted as checked baggage.
• These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage.
• No piece of baggage checked to/through/from any destination in Europe may weigh more than 70 lbs/32 kgs.

Oversized Baggage

Oversized Baggage does not include transatlantic or transpacific flights

Checked baggage which is larger than American Airlines stated size limits will be charged at the rate of $150 per piece.  These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.  Baggage measuring more than 115 in/292 cm (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage. Note: Bicycle boxes purchased from American Airlines which measure 118 in/300cm will be accepted.

Oversized and Overweight Baggage

The charge for oversized baggage and the charge for overweight baggage will be added together.

Embargoes

Some destinations outside of the continental U.S. have additional limitations on checked baggage at specific times of the year. This is called an "embargo".

Aircraft Dimensional Limitations

Certain aircraft types cannot accept some oversized articles due to the dimensions of the cargo doors. If you are traveling with an oversized article, please contact an American Airlines representative to ensure your destination is typically served by an aircraft that can accommodate your article. In the event we have to change the aircraft type the day of departure, please let an airport agent know that you have checked an oversized article.

Specialty Items

There are exceptions, special rules, and/or packing instructions that apply to some specialty items. Examples of these include duffel bags used by military personnel and certain musical instruments. To determine if your item has special excess charges (or is free in place of a 62 in/157 cm bag within the free baggage allowance), please contact an American Airlines representative at 1-800-433-7300.

Audio/Visual Equipment

Camera, film, lighting, and sound equipment (up to a maximum of 115 in/292 cm and 100 lbs/45 kgs) will be charged an excess rate of $50.00 per piece when tendered by representatives of network or local television broadcasting companies, commercial film-making companies, the federal government, Department of Defense or the American Society of Media Photographers.

Firearms/Ammunition

View the rules and regulations for transporting firearms and ammunition on flights within the U.S. For information on transporting these items internationally, please contact Reservations.

Musical Instruments

Small musical instruments may be carried onboard the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Case dimensions may not exceed 45 linear inches (width + length + height), except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin. The instrument is considered the passenger's one allowed carry-on bag. A personal item is allowed in addition to the instrument. See Carry-On Allowance for more information.

If an instrument is too large to fit in the carry-on baggage space, an additional seat may be purchased. In this case, an instrument must travel in a window, bulkhead seat, with the customer in the adjoining seat. Due to their size Bass Fiddles are not accepted in the coach cabin and are only accepted on certain aircraft types, please contact an American Airlines representative at 1-800-433-7300.

Instruments may also be transported as checked baggage, however, due to their fragile nature AA does not accept liability for damages and has limited liability for loss. AA is also not liable for any damage to checked musical instruments not presented in a hard-sided case. If the outside of the hard-sided case does not have visible damage, AA is not liable for any damage to the musical instrument inside the case. 

Military Baggage

U.S. military personnel may substitute a duffel bag, sea bag, B-4 bag, or any other baggage checked by active military personnel traveling to or from duty stations.

U.S. "military personnel" are defined as active United States of America military personnel traveling to or from duty stations. Military identification and travel orders must be presented. Traveling in uniform is not required.

Exceptions to the free baggage allowance for military personnel are as follows: 

• One bag up to 100 lbs. and 115 total linear inches may be substituted for one 62 linear inch bag in the free baggage allowance
• The second checked bag (up to 50 lbs) is not subject to the second bag service fee.
• The 70 lb. maximum bag weight limit for Europe and Asia does not apply for U.S. military baggage.

Mobility Devices

Wheelchairs/scooters, braces or other assistive devices are accepted free of charge as checked baggage and are in addition to the normal checked baggage allowance. There are special handling procedures for motorized equipment. Please contact an American Airlines representative at 1-800-433-7300 for detailed information.

Sports Equipment

The following guidelines for sports equipment being transported on American are effective for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Maximum Size and Weight

• Items that exceed the maximum allowable size and/or weight will be subject to applicable oversize and/or overweight charges.
• Items that are larger than 115 inches and 100 lbs. will not be accepted as checked baggage. Contact a freight forwarder for assistance with these items.
• Additional items not included in the item description below must not be packed inside the sports case and are subject to overweight and/or oversize charges.
• All inches are dimensional inches (length + width + height)

Charges

• Charges listed are in U.S. Dollars
• For information related to travel outside of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and USVI, please contact Reservations.

Liability

• AA/American Eagle/AmericanConnection® carrier are not liable for any damage to sports items not presented in a hard-sided case. If the outside of the hard-sided case does not have visible damage, AA/American Eagle/AmericanConnection® carrier are not liable for any damage to the sports item inside the case.
• Sports cases designed for specific items such as golf bags, boot bags and bike cases are intended to carry only that sports item.

More information:
www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

Contact name: www.aa.com

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