American Airlines raises checked bag fees, introduces reduced charges for overweight luggage
American Airlines airplanes| File photo
Be prepared to spend a bit more on your next checked bag when flying with American Airlines.
The airline announced on Tuesday (Feb 20) that it is increasing the cost of a first checked bag to $40 on most flights, or $35 if paid before reaching the airport. This marks the first time the airline has raised the fee since 2018, when the charge was $30 for a first checked bag on most flights.
Also read |American Airlines bans unruly, inebriated Indian student for urinating on co-passenger: Report
Scott Chandler,American Airlines senior vice president of revenue management and loyalty, cited the rise in fuel costs as a significant factor in the decision to adjust fees.
“Fuel has gone up quite a bit. That’s a big component of our costs when we’re carrying bags. We periodically look at all of our costs and where we can sort of help balance cost out with revenues, said Chandler.
He explained that periodic evaluations of costs are conducted to balance them with revenues.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
Also read:United Airlines mid-air scare: Plane makes emergency landing after open door indicator blinks
Under the new program, elite frequent flyers, co-branded credit card holders, and premium cabin customers will still qualify for complimentary checked bags.
Chandler stressed that passengers could enhance their airport experience by pre-registering their bags, emphasising the airline's investment in technology to simplify the process of printing bag tags.
The revised bag fees are effective for any bookings made from Feb 20 onward. Existing reservations ticketed on or before Feb 19 will retain the previous bag fees.
Watch:Woman yelling in American Airlines identified. Why did she do it?
American Airlines also introduced a new fee structure for oversized and overweight bags. Overweight bags weighing between 50 and 53 pounds will now incur a $30 fee, rather than the previous range of $100-$200.
Similarly, bags exceeding the 62-inch limit by up to three linear inches will be charged $30 instead of the previous $150-$200. These new fees for oversized and overweight bags will take effect from April 17.
(With inputs from agencies)