American Airlines is one of a small number of U.S. carriers that maintains a formal, documented media baggage rate. For working photographers, videographers, film crews, journalists, and production companies, this rate can represent significant savings over standard checked bag fees — particularly on multi-bag international trips. This guide covers the current rates, who qualifies, exactly how to use the program, what the standard baggage rules are for non-media travel, and how to maximize every leg of the journey.

American Airlines Media Baggage Rate

Unlike several other carriers that have eliminated their media programs entirely, American Airlines continues to maintain a dedicated media bag rate as of 2026. The policy is documented on American's official SalesLink trade portal (last updated October 2025) and on aa.com under Specialty and Sports Equipment.

The rates are:

• Domestic trips (within/between the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada): $60 per bag, per one-way journey
• International trips: $90 / £60 / €70 per bag, per one-way journey

Overweight and oversize fees are waived for qualifying media bags, subject to the weight and size limits below. This waiver is the most significant financial benefit of the program — it means a 70 lb camera case that would otherwise cost the standard bag fee plus a $100 overweight surcharge travels at the flat $60 media rate with no additional fee.

Who Qualifies for the Media Rate

American's media bag program is available to representatives of companies — not individuals acting independently — traveling with equipment in connection with a qualifying production or event.

Qualifying productions and events include:

• Movies
• Television shows
• Photo shoots
• Film festivals
• Print and news media
• Fashion or entertainment events

Qualifying equipment includes:

• Camera equipment
• Audio equipment
• Lighting equipment
• Photography equipment
• Wardrobes and trunks
• Musical instruments (with separate conditions — see below)

The program does not apply to:

• A customer's personal checked baggage (even if a media professional)
• Sports equipment, even if it will be used in the production

Who is eligible includes:

• Representatives of network and commercial film-making companies
• Fashion companies
• Department of Defense
• Federal Government
• Professional photographers
• Members of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)

What you must present at check-in:

• Company-issued identification (ID) or a company-named business card, plus
• A government-issued photo ID for travel

Both credentials are required. One without the other is not sufficient to receive the media rate.

Bag Limits and Size/Weight Rules

The media bag program allows up to 25 checked pieces per flight for an organization or company, subject to operational limitations and the policies of regional carrier partners.

Standard media bag limits (domestic and most international):

• Maximum weight: 100 lbs / 45 kg
• Maximum total dimensions: 115 in / 292 cm (length + width + height)
• Maximum length of any single side: 75 in / 190 cm

Transatlantic routes, and travel to/from Australia, New Zealand, Cuba, and South Africa:

• Overweight and oversize charges waived up to 70 lbs / 32 kg and 115 linear inches / 292 cm
• Bags between 70–100 lbs on these routes may incur overweight fees; confirm with Reservations

Musical instruments under the media rate:Musical instruments qualify for the media rate but are treated differently from camera and lighting equipment. Overweight fees apply to musical instruments over 50 lbs / 23 kg and 80 in / 203 cm. The oversize/overweight waiver that applies to other media bags does not fully extend to instruments — budget accordingly for heavy instrument cases.

LAX-specific rule: Items exceeding 50 lbs / 23 kg or 62 in / 158 cm must be checked in at Terminal 4 when traveling from Los Angeles (LAX).

How to Book and Pay for the Media Rate

This is where the program differs significantly from standard baggage fees and where preparation matters most.

The media rate cannot be paid online or prepaid. Payment is collected at the airport check-in counter each time the traveler checks in their baggage. This applies to both outbound and return journeys — you pay at check-in each direction.

For travel agents and corporate bookers: The booking must be documented in the PNR (Passenger Name Record) with the keyword MBAG as an Other Service Information (OSI) element. The format is:

AA MBAG.00MEDIA BAGS AT 70LBS/32KG

Where 00 is replaced by the approximate number of qualifying media bags.

The MBAG keyword must be re-entered any time there is an itinerary or flight change. Even if the PNR has been documented, each customer must show media credentials to the airport agent at check-in.

To contact American about the media rate:

• Email: American.Support@aa.com
• Phone: Contact American Airlines Reservations
• AA's official page: aa.com → Bags → Special items and sports equipment → Audio or visual equipment

Contacting American in advance — particularly for large shipments, unusual equipment configurations, or first-time use of the program — is strongly recommended to avoid delays at check-in.

How the Media Rate Applies to Personal Bags

The media bag rate kicks in after the traveler's personal baggage allowance has been used. A traveler with a one-bag allowance who checks two personal bags and fifteen media bags pays:

• Standard bag fees for the two personal bags
• The $60 (domestic) or $90 (international) media rate for each of the fifteen media bags

The media rate does not replace or reduce fees for personal baggage.

The Atlantic Joint Business Media Rate

American, along with its Atlantic Joint Business partners — British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and Aer Lingus — operates an aligned media baggage rate on transatlantic routes. The international rate of $90 / £60 / €70 per bag, per one-way journey applies across this partnership.

Key conditions for Atlantic Joint Business routes:

• The preferred media baggage rate is available only when booked and traveling on the operating carrier's code
• Customers are encouraged to purchase both outbound and return media bag fees at the first point of departure where possible
• Retain all receipts as proof of purchase for return check-in
• For some return British Airways legs, the rate must be booked and paid at the ticket desk on departure of the return journey (not pre-purchasable)

Bags must not exceed 100 lbs / 45 kg or 320 cm in total dimensions (max length 190 cm) on international itineraries under this joint rate.

Standard Baggage Fees (For Non-Media Travel)

Not all equipment on a shoot qualifies as media baggage, and personal bags always travel at standard rates. Understanding the full standard fee structure matters for accurate trip budgeting.

Checked Bag Fees

The current rates in 2026:

Prepaying online or via the American Airlines mobile app saves $5 per bag versus paying at the airport counter. All bag fees are non-refundable.

Carry-On Allowance

All American Airlines fares — including Basic Economy — include one standard carry-on bag and one personal item at no charge.

• Carry-on: Must fit in the overhead bin. Maximum 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
• Personal item: Must fit under the seat in front of you. Maximum 18 × 14 × 8 inches (45 × 35 × 20 cm)

Overweight and Oversize Fees

These fees are in addition to the standard checked bag fee and apply when items exceed the standard 50 lb / 62 linear inch limits.

Overweight fees (domestic/most routes):

When a single item exceeds both weight and size limits, the higher fee between oversize and overweight applies (in addition to the checked bag fee) — not both stacked.

Bags over 115 linear inches total are not accepted on American Airlines operated flights. Items that exceed this must go through American Airlines Cargo.

AAdvantage Elite Status: Free Bags for Media Professionals

AAdvantage elite status is the most consistent way to offset standard bag fees, and the benefits extend to companions on the same reservation — valuable for production crews traveling together.

Free bag benefits apply to the elite member and companions on the same reservation, on American marketed and operated itineraries. They do not apply to codeshare flights operated by partner airlines. Overweight fees still apply above standard weight limits for personal bags — the elite status benefit covers the standard bag fee, not excess charges.

oneworld Alliance members also receive free bags on American Airlines-operated flights:

• oneworld Ruby: 1 free bag
• oneworld Sapphire: 2 free bags
• oneworld Emerald: 3 free bags (up to 70 lbs per bag)

Business and Domestic First class passengers check up to 2 bags at 70 lbs each at no extra cost.

Flagship First, Flagship Business Plus, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and oneworld Emerald members can check 3 bags up to 70 lbs each at no extra cost.

AAdvantage Credit Cards: Free Bag Without Status

Several Citi AAdvantage co-branded credit cards include a free first checked bag benefit tied to your AAdvantage number — not to the card used for purchase. Add your AAdvantage number to your reservation and the benefit applies automatically on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

Key cards offering a free first checked bag:

• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard: First bag free for cardholder + up to 4 companions on domestic AA flights
• Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard: First bag free for cardholder + up to 8 companions on domestic AA flights
• Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: First bag free; also includes Admirals Club access

The credit card free bag benefit applies to domestic itineraries on American Airlines only. It does not cover overweight or oversize fees.

Lithium Batteries: AA's Specific Media Requirements

American Airlines' official media bags policy includes specific lithium battery rules that go beyond the standard FAA requirements, with additional conditions that media professionals must follow.

Standard rules (as with all carriers):

• All spare lithium batteries must travel in carry-on baggage
• Batteries found in checked bags will be removed

American Airlines-specific media bag battery conditions:

• Lithium-ion batteries must be removed from all equipment in checked media bags and placed in carry-on
• All batteries must be in good condition with no visible signs of damage
• Batteries must have electrical tape over the contacts and be placed in individual plastic bags
• All batteries must be separated — no battery may be attached to another battery

Quantity limits for carry-on:

• Up to 8 batteries of 100 Wh or less — no prior approval needed
• Up to 2 batteries of 101–160 Wh — no prior approval needed for this quantity
• More than these quantities require prior approval from American Airlines Reservations

To request approval for larger battery quantities:

• Email: American.Support@aa.com
• Request at least 7 days before departure
• Approval is typically provided within 24 hours
• Approval processing is available weekdays, Monday–Friday only

Over 160 Wh batteries: Not permitted on passenger aircraft. Must be shipped via approved dangerous goods cargo. This includes high-capacity V-mount cinema batteries.

These rules are more precise than what most carriers publish, and American enforces them for media bag customers. Brief your team before departure — particularly on the electrical tape over contacts and individual plastic bag requirements, which catch first-time travelers off guard.

Practical Packing Strategy for American Airlines

Use the Media Rate for Equipment, Standard Rules for Personal Bags

Keep your personal bags within standard weight and size limits. The $60 media rate per piece is a flat fee — it covers camera cases, lighting rigs, and audio equipment regardless of weight (up to 100 lbs) and size (up to 115 linear inches). Trying to push a heavy personal bag through under the media rate is not how the program works and will not be accepted at check-in.

Hard Cases Are Non-Negotiable for Checked Media Gear

American Airlines limits liability for damaged checked items to externally damaged, hard-sided cases. If your equipment is in a soft case or bag and it arrives damaged, the airline's liability is significantly reduced. Use Pelican, SKB, or equivalent hard-shell cases with TSA-approved locks. Photograph packed contents before closing.

Know Your Case Dimensions for the Media Rate

The media rate's size limit is 115 linear inches — significantly larger than the 62 linear inch standard checked bag limit. Most production-grade cases will comfortably fit within the media program's limits, even if they would incur oversize fees at standard rates.

This illustrates the core value of the media program: a case that would cost $200 in oversize fees at standard rates travels for $60 flat under the media rate (domestic).

Plan Around the Airport-Only Payment Requirement

Because the media rate cannot be prepaid online, budget accordingly and plan extra time at check-in. Ensure the team member handling check-in has both forms of required ID — company ID and government photo ID. If any PNR documentation is required via a travel agent, confirm the MBAG keyword was added before arriving at the airport.

Contact AA for Large Shipments in Advance

For productions with more than 10 bags of media equipment, or for any shipment with unusual dimensions, battery quantities, or international routing complexities, contact American via American.Support@aa.com before departure. Doing so helps avoid holds at check-in, speeds processing, and documents the shipment in the booking record.

It is important to note that American Airlines recommends contacting their service media.bags@aa.com ahead of time to ensure you are a media entity (you use a corporate account, or gouging to visit production movement or media event). Such a request will help you avoid possible delays in the check-in. Besides, you can use this email address to find out more information or ask any questions you may have.

Always verify current rates at aa.com or by contacting American.Support@aa.com before travelling, as policies are subject to change.

Fly With Media's advantages

With a valid media ID, you can get a discounted rate on checked luggage that is significantly lower than American Airlines' standard price (or any other airline). Fly With Media ID offers you such an opportunity and a discounted rate for transporting media bags (cameras, film, videotape, lighting, sound, or any other equipment). Contact us to learn more.