If you’ve ever stood in a boarding line watching fellow travelers shove their suitcases into those unforgiving metal bag sizers, you know the ritual well. But as of October 6, American Airlines has begun retiring those bag sizers from airport gates—a move the airline says will “simplify the boarding experience.”
The decision is part of the carrier’s ongoing effort to speed up the boarding process and cut down on congestion. Instead of forcing every borderline bag through a metal frame, American is now leaving it up to gate agents (and passengers) to use their best judgment.
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That doesn’t mean the rules are gone. Carry-ons still have to fit within 22x14x9 inches, wheels and handles included. Gate agents will still enforce the size limits and check any oversized bags, especially when overhead bins start filling up.
Travelers will find bag sizers in the airport lobby before security, so you can check your bag’s dimensions before heading to the gate. But once you’re there, it’s all about trust and a little self-awareness.
The change builds on American’s earlier efforts to make boarding smoother. In 2024, the airline began cracking down on so-called “gate lice,” the passengers who crowd the gate long before their boarding group is called. The message was clear: less chaos, more efficiency.
Of course, many travelers’ bags end up gate-checked anyway, often because of limited overhead space rather than size violations. Smaller regional planes and full flights make it tough to find room for everyone’s bag, no matter how perfectly it fits the specs.
American isn’t the first to ditch the gate sizers. United Airlines quietly removed theirs in 2020, saying it created “a more seamless travel experience.” American is following suit, betting that a little less metal and a little more common sense will make getting on the plane faster, calmer and maybe even a touch friendlier.
So remember to check your dimensions before getting to the gate and hope the gate agent has a good eye.