Say Goodbye to Gate-Side Bag Sizers: How American Airlines Is Changing Boarding in 2025

American Airlines is planning to remove those familiar metal bag sizers from boarding gates by late 2025, aiming to make boarding smoother and less stressful. Here’s how the change could affect your next trip, what you need to watch out for, and why this might become a wider airline trend.

Travelers, Take Note: American Airlines Scraps Gate Bag Sizers!

Ever nervously shoved your bag into one of those metal frames at the boarding gate, hoping it squeezes in? Starting October 2025, you might be able to skip that small-stress moment—at least if you’re flying American Airlines.

Why the Change?

American Airlines announced it’s removing all bag sizers from gates across its network. The airline says this move is meant to unclog boarding lanes, speed up the process, and make things easier on travelers. Carry-on size rules are still the same (22 x 14 x 9 inches), but now, the responsibility for checking bag sizes will be moved to the check-in counter, not the gate.

What’s Good About This?

Boarding May Be Quicker: With no one pausing to check bag sizes right at the jet bridge, lines should move faster—meaning less waiting around and more on-time departures.
Less Pre-Flight Anxiety: No more last-minute surprises or squeezing your bag into a sizer as staff (and other passengers) look on.

But There Are Catch-ups…

More on You: It’s now your job to make sure your carry-on fits the rules—if it doesn’t, you might be asked to check it (possibly at the gate, if it slips through).
Subjective Judgement Risks: Without the sizer, airline staff might have to “eyeball” it, which could sometimes mean inconsistent decisions about what gets through.

What Could This Mean for Other Airlines?

If this turns out to make American’s boarding process smoother, don’t be surprised if other airlines follow suit. A more streamlined, less stressful boarding experience could become the new norm—but it all depends on how well this works out in practice.

What Should Travelers Do?

Double-check your carry-on’s measurements before heading to the airport. While you might not have to stuff it in a sizer at the gate, the rules haven’t changed—and enforcement could get a bit subjective. Better safe than gate-checked!

This analysis is based on third-party reporting and is a forecast of expected impacts when the policy takes effect in October 2025.