Basic Economy
Our lowest Main Cabin fare around the world
If you want our lowest price, try our Basic Economy fare. There are some restrictions but you’ll still get a comfortable seat in the Main Cabin and enjoy free snacks, soft drinks and inflight entertainment.
Restrictions
| Route type | Bags | Choose seat (fee may apply) | Eligible for upgrades | Make changes (fee) | Boarding group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within the U.S., Canada, Central America, Mexico & Caribbean* | Checked: No free bags† Carry-on: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on |
At time of booking | Yes | No | Group 9** |
| To / from Europe | Checked: No free bags†† Carry-on: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on |
At time of booking | Yes | Yes | Group 8** |
| To / from South America | Checked: No free bags†† Carry-on: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on |
At time of booking | Yes | Yes | Group 8** |
| To / from Africa | Checked: No free bags†† Carry-on: 1 personal item and 1 carry-on |
At time of booking | Yes | Yes | Group 8** |
Flights with connections
Restrictions for flights within the U.S., Canada, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean don’t apply to trips including flights to / from Europe.
Trip: San Francisco (SFO) > Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) > London (LHR)
On the flight from San Francisco to Dallas / Fort Worth and the flight from Dallas / Fort Worth to London, you can:
- Take 1 personal item and 1 carry-on
- Choose a seat at time of booking (fee)
- Make changes (fee)
- Board with Group 8
Bag details
You can board with 1 carry-on and 1 personal item. The carry-on item must fit in the overhead bin and be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm). The personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Carry-on requirements apply to all customers including ConciergeKey℠ and AAdvantage® elites.
In addition to your personal item; instruments, pets and special items that meet our guidelines can be carried on but will be subject to standard charges.
No other items can be carried on; they must be checked at ticket counters.
Seat details
Flights within the U.S., Canada, Central America, Mexico & Caribbean
You can choose a specific seat at any time for a fee. Otherwise, seats will be automatically assigned for free at check-in.
Flights to / from Europe
You can choose a specific seat at any time for a fee. Otherwise, seats will be automatically assigned for free at check-in.
Families traveling
If you’re a family traveling with children under 15, and do not already have seats assigned, our system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. We’ll try our best to keep you together, but if seats are limited, we’ll assign seats so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult.
Same-day travel
Change your flight
Change of plans? We allow same-day confirmed changes on select flights for a fee, with some exceptions.
Customers can stand by for a flight at no charge.
AAdvantage® members
Elite status and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers
Elite benefits may vary for flights marketed and / or operated by British Airways, Iberia or Finnair.
AAdvantage® elite status members and eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® or AAdvantage® Aviator® Mastercard® cardmembers are exempt from certain restrictions.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World EliteTM Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard®
- CitiBusiness / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® American Express® Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Visa Signature
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Silver Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Red Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® AviatorTM Business Mastercard®
You keep
- Upgrade privileges
- Complimentary Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seat benefits based on elite status
- Complimentary confirmed same-day flight changes for Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members
- Priority or preferred boarding privileges
- Checked bag benefits***
Award miles and elite qualification
- Award miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) earn based on ticket price (includes base fare plus carrier-imposed fees; excludes government-imposed taxes and fees) on flights marketed and operated by American
- Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) and Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) earn at a reduced rate of 0.5 per mile/flight segment flown on flights marketed by American
- Effective for travel starting January 1, 2021, Basic Economy fares won’t earn EQMs, EQSs or EQDs
*Excludes Cuba and El Salvador
**Restriction doesn't apply to AAdvantage® elite status members or eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers
***AAdvantage® credit cardmembers flying to / from Europe will pay a fee for checked bags
†Restriction doesn’t apply to AAdvantage® elite status members. Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers are exempt only when flying within the U.S. and Canada
††Restriction doesn’t apply to AAdvantage® elite status members