American Removes Gate Carry-On Sizers Oct. 6

American Airlines will remove metal carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates across the U.S. starting Monday, Oct. 6, while sizers will remain in airport lobbies and check-in areas. The airline said its 45 linear-inch carry-on limit remains in place and oversized items must still be checked. Gate agents were instructed to use judgment and to “err on the side of the customer” for borderline bags; passengers may still bring one overhead carry-on plus one personal item. Gate-checked bags will be tagged and returned at the jet bridge free of charge. The change builds on earlier boarding enhancements (expanded family preboarding, five extra minutes for boarding and new gate technology) and follows a similar move by United in 2020. Observers warned removing an objective sizer could make enforcement more subjective.