It’s one of the most stressful moments in modern air travel: the walk of shame to the gate, where that dreaded metal cage—the bag sizer—sits waiting to pass judgment on your carry-on. We’ve all felt that pang of anxiety, watching as a gate agent asks a fellow traveler to squeeze their overstuffed bag into the unforgiving frame.
Well, get ready to say goodbye to that pre-boarding panic.
Here at Travel Off Path, we’re all about the news that makes your travel experience better. In a major, traveler-friendly move, a second major U.S. airline has just announced it is removing bag sizers from its departure gates, signaling a significant industry shift away from the stressful, last-minute enforcement that slows down boarding for everyone.
American Airlines Joins The Trend
Following in the footsteps of United Airlines, which made the same customer-friendly change back in 2024, American Airlines has just confirmed it is officially removing the carry-on bag sizers from all its airport gate areas.
But let’s be crystal clear about what this means. This is not a free pass to bring a bigger bag. The official carry-on size limits have not changed. Instead, this is a move to reduce passenger stress and, more importantly, to speed up the boarding process.
The critical distinction, is that the bag sizers are only being removed from the gates. They will still be available at the check-in counters, where travelers can voluntarily check if their bag meets the requirements before heading to security.
So, What’s The Real Reason For The Change?
This isn’t about being nice; it’s about being efficient. The process of stopping passengers at the gate, forcing them to use the sizer, and then dealing with an oversized bag is a major bottleneck that contributes to boarding delays.
By removing the sizers from the gate, the airlines are making a clear statement: it is now your responsibility to know the rules before you get to the gate. The new process empowers travelers to be prepared and shifts the focus from last-minute punishment to proactive planning. Gate agents will now primarily use a “visual sizing” method, only stopping passengers whose bags are obviously and significantly oversized.
What This Actually Means For You, The Traveler
This is a huge win for reducing pre-flight anxiety, but it means you need to be smarter than ever about your carry-on.
- The Rules Still Apply: For American Airlines, your carry-on bag must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including handles and wheels.
- The Consequences Are The Same: If a gate agent flags your bag as being too large, you will still have to check it at the gate. And yes, this will almost certainly come with a fee, especially if you’re flying on a Basic Economy ticket.
- The Smart Move: The most important takeaway is to measure your bag at home before you leave for the airport. If you’re not sure, use the bag sizers at the check-in counter to confirm.
You can check the carry on size limits for all US Airlines with our new tool below
🧳 The 10-Second Carry-On Sizer
Select an Airline… American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines Southwest Airlines Alaska Airlines JetBlue Hawaiian Airlines Spirit Airlines Frontier Airlines Allegiant Air
This trend is a powerful signal that airlines are finally recognizing that a less stressful boarding process is a better and quicker experience for everyone. It’s a move away from the “gotcha” moments at the gate and a step towards a more streamlined and passenger-focused journey. For the savvy traveler, it’s a welcome change—as long as you do your homework before you fly.
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