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American Airlines

The world's largest airline, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas

  • United StatesCountry
  • AAIATA Code
  • AALICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About American Airlines

American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines and a founding member of oneworld, flying from Dallas Fort Worth and other US hubs across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Since April 2026, the first checked bag costs $50 on domestic flights, although every fare still includes a carry-on. This guide covers fares, the new bag fees, power bank rules, AAdvantage and how American compares with Delta and United.

American traces its history to 1926 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas, next to its largest hub. It is a founding member of oneworld and has joint ventures with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, Japan Airlines and Qantas.

American Airlines flights to Dallas Fort Worth
Photo: Max Fray / Unsplash

Check-In and Connecting at Big Hubs

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure on the website and app, and mobile boarding passes work at all US airports.

At Dallas Fort Worth, the Skylink train links all five terminals airside. Charlotte and Miami are also big connecting hubs, so allow extra time if you need to change terminals.

Power Banks on American Airlines

American follows US FAA lithium battery rules:

  • Power banks and spare batteries must be in your carry-on or personal item, never checked.
  • Up to 100 Wh is fine; 100–160 Wh needs airline approval, with a maximum of two spares.
  • If your carry-on is gate-checked, remove power banks and spare batteries first.

On codeshare flights operated by partners such as Qatar Airways or Japan Airlines, the operating airline’s rules apply.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Families with young children on the same booking can usually be seated together at no extra cost. Infants under two can travel on an adult’s lap on domestic flights.

Special assistance can be requested in advance. Small dogs and cats can travel in the cabin for a fee on many flights.

How to Find Cheap American Airlines Flights

American Airlines flights to Charlotte
Photo: Wes Hicks / Unsplash
  • Add the bag fee: with a $50 first bag, a Basic fare on another airline with a cheaper bag can work out lower.
  • Compare nearby airports: Dallas Love Field, Newark or Fort Lauderdale can be cheaper.
  • Travel midweek: avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas and summer weekends.
  • Use a co-branded card: a free first bag saves $100 on a round trip.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see American next to Delta, United and others.

American vs Delta vs United

All three are big US network airlines with worldwide routes and partners.

AmericanDeltaUnited
Largest hubDallas Fort WorthAtlantaChicago, Denver, Houston
AllianceoneworldSkyTeamStar Alliance
LoyaltyAAdvantageSkyMilesMileagePlus
Basic Economy carry-onIncludedIncludedPersonal item only on most domestic flights
Best forLatin America via MiamiReliability, AtlantaAsia-Pacific and transatlantic

See our Delta guide and United Airlines guide to compare.

Arriving in Dallas Fort Worth

DFW sits between Dallas and Fort Worth. The DART Orange Line and TEXRail trains connect the airport with both cities, and taxis and rideshares are available at every terminal.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is American Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes, especially for Latin America and oneworld connections. American has the largest network of any US airline and a useful loyalty programme. Its bag fees are now among the highest in the US, so price in your bags before you book.

For more options, see our British Airways guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Bloomberg reporting on the April 2026 bag fee rise. Fees change, so check the official American Airlines website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

American Airlines is a founding member of oneworld (1999). You can connect onto partners such as British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways on one ticket and earn AAdvantage miles across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

American runs a transatlantic joint business with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Aer Lingus, and trans-Pacific partnerships with Japan Airlines and Qantas. It also partners with Alaska Airlines on US routes.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) is American's largest hub. It also has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington National, Los Angeles and New York (JFK and LaGuardia).

Popular American Airlines Routes

American's busiest routes link Dallas with Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, Charlotte with Boston, Miami with New York, New York with Los Angeles, and New York with London. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

American Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

American sells Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Main Plus and Main Select, plus Premium Economy, Business and Flagship First. Basic Economy is the cheapest: it can't be changed, seats are assigned at check-in unless you pay, and you board last. Main Cabin and higher fares have no change fees on most trips; you pay only any difference in fare.

If you cancel a non-refundable Main Cabin ticket, its value is returned as a trip credit.

  • Basic Economy No changes; cancellation rules are strict; boards last.
  • Main Cabin No change fees on most trips; fare difference applies.
  • Main Plus and Main Select Extra legroom, a free checked bag and more benefits.
  • Cancelling non-refundable tickets Value returned as a trip credit.
  • 24-hour rule Tickets booked at least 7 days before departure can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of booking.
  • How to change or cancel Use Trips on aa.com or the American Airlines app.

American Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services

On Basic Economy, seats are assigned at check-in unless you pay to choose one. Main Cabin includes free standard seat selection, and Main Cabin Extra seats offer more legroom. On long-haul flights, American offers Premium Economy and Flagship Business with lie-flat seats, including new Flagship Suites on its newest aircraft.

AAdvantage members get free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights.

  • Basic Economy Seat assigned at check-in unless you pay.
  • Main Cabin Free standard seat selection.
  • Main Cabin Extra Extra legroom seats.
  • Premium Economy On long-haul flights.
  • Flagship Business Lie-flat seats, including Flagship Suites on newer aircraft.
  • Wi-Fi Free for AAdvantage members on most domestic flights.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

American Airlines Baggage Allowance

Every American fare, including Basic Economy, allows one carry-on bag and one personal item. On domestic and short-haul international flights, checked bags are paid in Basic and Main Cabin: for tickets booked from April 2026, the first bag costs $50, the second $60 and a third $200. On most transatlantic and other long-haul routes, Main Cabin includes a checked bag.

Checked bags can weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb) and measure up to 158 cm (62 in) in Economy. Premium cabins, AAdvantage status members and eligible AAdvantage credit card holders still check bags free.

  • Carry-on (all fares) 1 carry-on bag plus 1 personal item, up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm.
  • 1st checked bag (domestic and short-haul) $50.
  • 2nd checked bag $60.
  • 3rd bag $200.
  • Long-haul international (Main Cabin) Usually 1 free checked bag.
  • Business and First Free checked bags.
  • Bag limits 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm (62 in).
  • Free bags AAdvantage elites and eligible credit card holders.

AAdvantage: American Airlines Loyalty Programme

AAdvantage is American's free loyalty programme. You earn miles on American and oneworld flights, with AAdvantage credit cards and partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades.

Status is based on Loyalty Points, with Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum tiers recognised as oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

  • Member Free entry level for all members.
  • Gold Free bags, priority services and oneworld Ruby status.
  • Platinum Upgrades and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum The highest priority and oneworld Emerald status.
  • Loyalty Points Earned from flying and spending with partners.
  • oneworld Earn and redeem across oneworld airlines.
Join or log in on the American Airlines website

American Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are American Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is AA. It appears in flight numbers (for example AA 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is AAL, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is American Airlines part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is American Airlines headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Fort Worth, United States.

04When was American Airlines founded?

The airline was founded in 1926.

05What are American Airlines’ main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Main Hub; Charlotte (CLT) – Hub; Chicago (ORD) – Hub.

06What is American Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called AAdvantage. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is the difference between American Basic Economy and Main Cabin?

Basic Economy is American's cheapest fare: it can't be changed, seats are assigned at check-in unless you pay, and you board last. Main Cabin has free seat selection and no change fees on most trips.

08Does American Basic Economy include a carry-on?

Yes. All American fares, including Basic Economy, allow one carry-on bag and one personal item.

09How much does American Airlines charge for checked bags?

For tickets booked from April 2026, $50 for the first bag and $60 for the second on domestic and short-haul international flights. Most long-haul Main Cabin fares include one bag, and elites and premium cabins get free bags.

10Does American Airlines have free Wi-Fi?

Yes. AAdvantage members get free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights.

American Airlines, its logo and trademarks are the property of American Airlines, Inc. and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Airlines unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.