Passengers are allowed to check baggage, which means to travel with their luggage beneath the aircraft if it is too large to fit in the passenger section of the airplane. If a passenger already has a carry-on and one personal item, they must check any additional baggage. Travelers who fly economy class and check one piece of luggage on American Airlines must pay $20 for each trip. Two pieces of luggage cost $30 for each trip. If between three and five pieces of luggage are checked under the aircraft, each piece after the second will cost $100 for every trip. After the fifth piece of luggage, the cost is $200 per piece each way. Those who fly internationally, full-fare economy class, business class or first class may have the fee of their first two checked bags waived. Bags between 50 and 70 pounds will cost $50 to check, while bags from 70 to 100 pounds will cost $100. Anything over 100 pounds is not allowed to be checked under American Airlines regulation.
American Airlines gives members actively serving in the U.S. military the opportunity to check three pieces of luggage for free. None of the free checked luggage can weigh more than 50 pounds. However, if a military passenger is traveling on special military orders, he is allowed to check one piece of luggage weighing up to 100 pounds for free. These travel orders must be provided to American Airlines staff when checking luggage to receive this consideration. Military dependents are also allowed to check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds for free if they are on special military orders. Military personnel must provide valid identification to receive these benefits.
Passengers who work for professional media, film or government organizations that carry specialty audio and visual equipment may do so for $50 a piece. These organizations cannot send more than 25 pieces of equipment on a single flight, regardless of how many passengers represent them. Size restrictions for audio and visual equipment are dependent upon the travel destination. Specialty sports equipment that cannot fit into the passenger cabin follows standard checked baggage guidelines with the exception of antlers, bicycles, hangliders, javelin, scuba tanks, surfboards, windsurf and other items similar in size. These items cost $100 to check.
If specialty instruments cannot be stored in an aircraft's overhead bin, American Airlines suggests buying an extra seat for the item. However, the instrument will be considered the one carry-on item allowed. Although instruments can be checked, American Airlines will not accept responsibility for any damage done to fragile items during travel.
