American Airlines is fairly strict on paper , but in practice gate enforcement has become a bit more flexible since it removed gate bag sizers in 2025. The published carry-on limit is still 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including handles and wheels, and personal items are still limited to 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

What that means in practice

  • If your bag is clearly oversized, staff can still make you check it.
  • If it looks close to the limit, agents may use judgment instead of forcing it into a sizer at the gate.
  • The airline says the sizing stations were removed from the gate area, but they may still be available at check-in.

How strict to expect

A good way to think about it: American appears less rigid than before at the gate , but not lenient enough to rely on if your bag is obviously large. The safest move is to stay within the listed dimensions, because oversized bags can still be pulled aside and checked.

Practical tips

  1. Measure the bag with wheels and handles included.
  2. Don’t count on “soft-sided” bags slipping by if they are visibly bulky.
  3. Keep your personal item small enough to fit under the seat.
  4. If you are unsure, check the bag size at the airport before security or at check-in.

Travel note

Recent coverage in 2025 and 2026 suggests American’s policy has shifted toward more visual judgment at the gate, but the official size rules have not changed. So the answer is: strict enough that you should pack to the limit, but not so strict that every borderline bag gets measured at boarding.

TL;DR: American Airlines still expects you to meet the published carry-on size, but gate enforcement is now more discretionary than before; oversized bags can still be checked.