American Airlines Removes Bag Sizers From Gates to Streamline Boarding

American Airlines has officially removed bag sizers from airport gates across the United States, effective October 6, 2025. The airline says the change is aimed at making the boarding process faster and less stressful for travelers.

According to a statement shared with KTLA, passengers will no longer have their carry-on bags measured at the gate before boarding. However, American Airlines emphasized that this is not permission to bring oversized luggage, and gate agents will still monitor bag size if necessary.

New Carry-On Bag Rules and Boarding Technology

The airline confirmed that travelers can still bring one personal item and one carry-on bag. The personal item must fit under the seat in front and be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Carry-ons cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles. While sizers are being removed, staff will continue to visually check luggage in the lobby and at boarding areas.

This update follows last year’s rollout of new boarding technology. The system scans each boarding pass and alerts staff if a passenger tries to board before their assigned group. American Airlines tested this feature in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tucson, Arizona; and Arlington, Virginia. The goal is to reduce confusion at the gate and maintain priority boarding for first-class passengers, military members, and top-tier loyalty customers.

American Airlines’ boarding process currently runs through ten groups. ConciergeKey members and first-class passengers board first, followed by active-duty U.S. military and AAdvantage Executive Platinum travelers. Groups are typically called 30–50 minutes before departure using both a priority lane and a general boarding line.

Impact on Passengers and Travel Experience

The removal of bag sizers is expected to speed up boarding, reduce bottlenecks at the gate, and create a smoother experience for frequent flyers and leisure travelers alike. By relying on visual checks rather than strict sizer boxes, staff can focus on managing the flow of passengers instead of handling luggage disputes.

Experts note that while this policy could reduce stress at the gate, travelers should still follow American Airlines’ size rules. Oversized bags may still need to be checked, and ignoring the guidelines could cause delays. The move also aligns with broader industry efforts to use technology and human oversight to improve boarding efficiency without frustrating customers.

American Airlines says this change will simplify the boarding experience while keeping its size rules intact. Passengers are encouraged to check their luggage dimensions before arriving at the airport to avoid last-minute issues.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Does this mean I can bring bigger bags on American Airlines now?

No. The airline still enforces size limits for carry-ons and personal items. Oversized bags may need to be checked.

Q2: Why is American Airlines removing bag sizers?

To speed up the boarding process and reduce delays caused by passengers measuring bags at the gate.

Q3: Will staff still check bag size?

Yes. Team members can ask passengers to check oversized bags if they don’t meet size requirements.

Q4: Does this affect all American Airlines airports?

Yes. The policy applies across U.S. airports where American Airlines operates gates.

Q5: What boarding groups does American Airlines use?

The airline boards through ten groups, starting with ConciergeKey, first class, and active-duty military, then AAdvantage elites, and finally economy passengers.