Travelers flying in business class on American Airlines previously enjoyed the benefit of a free third checked bag. That policy changed for tickets purchased on or after March 29, when the airline implemented a new fee structure. Under the update, business-class passengers still receive two complimentary checked bags, but a third checked bag now incurs a fee.
The new charges are tiered by route. On domestic flights and routes within the Americas and the Caribbean, the third checked bag costs $150. For travel to Brazil the fee is reduced to $85, while flights to Europe and Asia now carry a $200 fee for a third checked bag. First-class passengers face the same fees on two-cabin aircraft — a configuration used on most domestic routes, with a few exceptions on select New York–Los Angeles and New York–San Francisco flights. Passengers flying first class on international three-cabin aircraft continue to receive a complimentary third checked bag.
American Airlines spokesperson Josh Freed described the change as affecting a small number of premium-cabin customers who used the benefit. For frequent flyers who want to avoid the third-bag charge, one option is to qualify for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status; members at that level are exempt from third checked-bag fees on all flights.