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American Airlines Overview & Policy Summary
American Airlines is the world's largest airline by fleet size, passengers carried and scheduled departures. Its Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte hubs give it the deepest domestic connectivity of any US carrier, and Miami functions as the strongest US gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
- Carry-on: One full-size carry-on plus one personal item on every fare including Basic Economy.
- First checked bag: $40 at the airport, $35 if pre-paid online, on standard domestic tickets..
- Changes: No change fee on Main Cabin and above for domestic, short-haul international and most long-haul international travel.
- Check-in: 24 hours before departure on aa.com or the American app..
American help topics
Detailed answers on the ten things travellers ask most after booking.
American at a glance
Baggage
One full-size carry-on plus one personal item on every fare including Basic Economy. American kept the cabin bag in Basic Economy after briefly removing it.
Full baggage rulesChanges
No change fee on Main Cabin and above for domestic, short-haul international and most long-haul international travel. Fare difference applies. Basic Economy is non-changeable.
How to change a flightCheck-in
24 hours before departure on aa.com or the American app. 45 minutes before departure.
Check-in and boarding cutoffsAAdvantage
AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity. Any qualifying earn or redeem activity resets the clock.
Loyalty programme guideAmerican fare types
| Fare | Includes | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Full carry-on and personal item, seat assigned at check-in. | No changes or refunds after 24 hours, no advance seat selection without paying, and last boarding group. |
| Main Cabin | Advance seat selection, no change fee domestically, full AAdvantage earning. | Fare difference applies on changes; ticket remains non-refundable. |
| Main Cabin Extra | Additional legroom, free alcoholic beverages and early boarding. | Same cabin and same baggage allowance as Main Cabin. |
| Flagship Business | Lie-flat seat, Flagship Lounge access, three checked bags on most routes. | Flagship First now exists on very few aircraft; most "first" on American is domestic recliner First. |
Hubs
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Miami (MIA)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Washington (DCA)
- New York (JFK/LGA)
The largest airline fleet in the world, dominated by the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737, with 787 and 777 widebodies on long-haul routes.
Popular routes
- Dallas (DFW) → London (LHR)
- Miami (MIA) → Cancún (CUN)
- Charlotte (CLT) → Phoenix (PHX)
- New York (JFK) → Los Angeles (LAX)
American frequently asked questions
Does American Airlines Basic Economy include a carry-on?
Yes. American permits one full-size carry-on plus one personal item on Basic Economy. The restrictions are on seat selection, changes, refunds and boarding order — not on your cabin bag.
Do AAdvantage miles expire?
Yes, after 24 months with no qualifying activity. Any earning or redemption — including a small shopping-portal purchase — resets the 24-month clock.
Can I hold an American Airlines fare without paying?
Yes. American offers a 24-hour hold at the published price on most fares, which is separate from the 24-hour refund window on a purchased ticket.
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