American Airlines Raises Short Haul International Checked Bag Fees To $40 Starting Monday, Internal Memo Says

American Airlines is quietly increasing first checked bag fees on short haul international flights to $40 each way starting Monday, according to an internal memo reviewed by View From The Wing.

Currently first checked bag fees are $5 cheaper to and from Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana. This change will align these flights with U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands checked bag costs.

The internal communication from American about this change says,

Please note that tickets issued prior to 01DEC26 will continue to follow the previous bag fee structure.

I am pretty sure that they meant the new $40 first bag fee applies to tickets starting December 1, 2025 (and not to any before that) and that the 2026 date here is erroneous.