American Airlines Removes Free Checked Baggage from Basic Economy Fare

American Airlines has removed free checked bags from its Basic Economy cabin, even on international flights.

Now passengers booking a Main Cabin ticket/seat American Airlines’ equivalent of basic economy, will have to pay a fee to check in a bag. According to the carrier’s website, the “bag allowances and fees have been updated as of June 7, 2023”.

The fees range from $30 for domestic, Mexico, Haiti, Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti), Central America (excluding Panama), and Guyana and Suriname, to $75 for Transatlantic and Transpacific flights.

“For Transatlantic Basic Economy travel, a $75 1st bag fee applies,” the airline explained, adding that for Transpacific flights, the fee would only apply for tickets that were issued after June 7, 2023.

“We are simplifying our product offerings to make it easier for customers when they are shopping for travel. With this change, our Basic Economy product will include all of the same features whether a customer is purchasing it for a domestic or international itinerary,” an American Airlines spokesperson told The Points Guy, who first reported the change.

Delta Air Lines charges passengers in basic economy $75 for their bag on a Transatlantic trip. United Airlines, another member of the Big Three, also does the same. However, United Airlines allows one free checked bag for basic economy passengers on a Transpacific flight, as does Delta Air Lines.