American Airlines Removes Gate Bag Sizers to Speed Up Boarding

American Airlines is simplifying its boarding process in an effort to save passengers time and improve on-time departures. The carrier confirmed that it will soon remove the metal bag sizers—the rectangular frames used to measure carry-on luggage—from airport gates across its U.S. network.

Currently, travelers are required to use these sizers to ensure their carry-on bags do not exceed 45 linear inches and will fit in the overhead bins. Bags that fail to meet this standard are typically checked at the gate.

According to the airline, the decision to remove the sizers builds on several enhancements introduced earlier this year, including extended boarding time for domestic mainline flights and upgraded boarding technology to make the process smoother. American emphasized that carry-on size requirements remain unchanged, and employees will continue to monitor luggage size at check-in and boarding gates to ensure compliance.

While gate sizers will disappear, they will still be available in airport lobbies, allowing customers to check whether their bags meet the approved carry-on dimensions before reaching the gate.

The change comes as American Airlines prepares to launch a new international route in November 2025, signaling a broader effort to streamline operations and standardize passenger experience across its network. At the same time, the airline is reminding travelers that bags exceeding personal-item dimensions will still need to be valet-checked at the gate. In such cases, luggage is tagged and stored in the aircraft’s hold free of charge, then returned to passengers on the jet bridge immediately after landing—a process American promotes as a customer convenience rather than a penalty.

Under American’s baggage policy, each traveler may bring one carry-on and one personal item. The carry-on must fit either under the seat or in the overhead compartment and measure no more than 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm) including wheels and handles.

The new system relies more on staff judgment than strict metal measurements. According to internal guidance reported by Bloomberg and other outlets, agents will be encouraged to “err on the side of the customer” when a bag slightly exceeds the limit. Oversized luggage, however, will still be subject to mandatory checking.

The shift will likely be most noticeable on American Eagle and other regional flights, where overhead bin space is limited. On smaller aircraft, many passengers are already accustomed to gate-checking their larger carry-ons due to aircraft design constraints.

For travelers, a few key reminders can help avoid surprises:

Check your bag size early—especially before busy holiday travel.
Expect valet checks on smaller regional jets.
Retrieve bags quickly on the jet bridge after landing—no need to wait at baggage claim.
Arrive early if your luggage is close to the size limit, as agents can review it at check-in.

American’s move reflects a wider trend in the industry—balancing efficiency, passenger comfort, and bin-space limits. Removing the metal sizers may simplify boarding and reduce delays, but it also places greater responsibility on travelers to ensure their bags meet airline standards. The message is clear: keep it within size—or risk an unexpected gate check.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, bloomberg.com, Trip.com