This Airline Is Ending the Carry-On Check That Every Traveler Hates

Aside from the TSA line, most passengers can probably agree that boarding a plane is one of the most hectic parts of air travel. With ever-increasing checked baggage fees, travelers are bringing more bags onto the aircraft than before, leading airlines to implement and enforce strict rules on both the quantity and size of carry-on luggage — just ask anyone who’s ever been forced to place their bag into a tiny metal cage at the gate to make sure it fits within the required dimensions. However, there’s good news on that front: Recently, one airline made a major change to this oft-hated process. 

American Airlines’ New Policy for Carry-Ons

In October 2025, American Airlines announced that it would be removing the metal baggage sizers that have been a fixture at the boarding gate for years. Instead, gate agents will visually inspect carry-on bags and pull aside any passengers who appear to be in violation of the size limits. 

In a statement shared with Afar, a spokesperson for American Airlines said that the move was to “further simplify the boarding experience for our customers and team members,” and that “staff members will instead be asked to err on the side of the traveler if they’re unsure if the bag will fit in the overhead bin.”

That should come as welcome news for American Airlines customers, who will no longer be forced to finagle their carry-ons into the rigid metal baggage sizers. American isn’t the first or only airline to do this, either — United permanently removed baggage sizers at the gate back in 2020. 

The change should also help speed up the boarding process, especially with American’s 2024 implementation of new technology aimed at cracking down on those who attempt to cut the boarding line. Now, if a passenger scans their boarding pass before their group is called, it creates an audible alert letting the gate agent know to send them to the back of the line, which should deter passengers from attempting to crowd the gate area — a phenomenon commonly referred to as “gate lice.”

How To Pack Your Carry-On More Efficiently

While you’ll no longer be asked to place your bag into a sizer when flying on American or United, it’s always a good idea to stick to the size requirements, which aren’t changing. When flying American, passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as a purse or backpack) that must fit under the seat in front of them. The carry-on bag cannot exceed 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches in size, including the handles and wheels. American has said that baggage sizers will still be available at the check-in counter for customers who aren’t sure if theirs will fit on board.

Looking to avoid checking a bag? We’ve compiled a few clever hacks to fit more into your carry-on, which you can read about here. They include practical tips, such as wearing heavier or bulkier items on the plane and rolling clothes instead of folding them, and helpful products such as packing cubes and vacuum sealers that will allow you to make the most of every inch in your carry-on. 

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