MEDIA BAGS

Eligibility

Charges

Embargoes

Identification

Lithium-ion Batteries

PNR Documentation

Guidelines for Acceptance of Media Bags

American Airlines offers special rates and a generous baggage allowance for eligible media customers who travel with equipment required for professional assignments.

Media bags are accepted when associated with the production or coverage of:

·         Movie

·         Television show

·         Photo shoot

·         Film festival

·         Print and/or news

·         Fashion or entertainment event

A media bag is checked baggage containing equipment or materials required for these professional activities.

Eligibility

Media rates apply to up to 25 checked bags per flight for an eligible organization or company, subject to operational limitations. This total includes the traveler's personal baggage allowance.

Media rates may be applied to:

·         Audio equipment

·         Camera equipment

·         Lighting equipment

·         Photography equipment

·         Wardrobes/trunks

·         Musical Instruments

The media bag program and rates do not apply to:

·         Personal checked baggage that is not related to the production or event

·         Sports equipment, even when intended for use in a production or event

Embargoes

Seasonal and year-round baggage embargoes apply to eligible media bags when traveling to applicable destinations. See aa.com - Checked bag policy page for current embargo information.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Customers with media baggage can have lithium-ion batteries in their carry-on baggage as long as they meet the below requirements:

·         Lithium-ion batteries removed from all equipment in their checked baggage and put into their carry-on bag

·         All batteries must be in good condition without any visible signs of damage

·         Batteries must have electrical tape over the contacts and placed in individual plastic bags

·         All batteries must be separated (i.e. no batteries may be attached to another battery)

·         Up to 8 batteries of 100-watt hours (Wh) each may be accepted without prior approval authorization in their carry-on bag

·         up to 2 batteries of 100-160wh each may be accepted without prior approval authorization

o    Amounts above these quantities must have prior approval authorization for travel. Contact Reservations or write to American.Support@aa.com for assistance

o    We encourage customers to send their request 7 days prior to departure. 

o    Approval will be received within 24hr approximately. 

o    This service is provided on Weekdays, Monday - Friday, only.  

Identification

Media rates apply to representatives of companies traveling with musical instruments, camera, film, video, lighting, or sound equipment such as: 

·         Network and/or commercial film-making companies

·         Fashion companies

·         Department of Defense

·         Federal Government

·         Professional photographers

·         American Society of Media Photographers

Customers must present:

·         Company issued identification (ID), or company named business card to receive media rate and,

·         Government issued picture ID for travel

Charges

Media rates are effective for up to a maximum of 25 checked pieces/bags total per flight for an organization/company.

Rates apply for the entire one-way journey, connecting flight(s) must be operated by American Airlines. Charges will be collected each time the traveler checks in their baggage at an airport.

·         Payment should be made at the Airport check-in counter.

·         Online payment and pre-payment are not available.

·         Travelers should always retain their receipt.

Overweight and oversize charges do not apply (excluding musical instruments) for up to:

·         70 lbs/32 kg and 115 linear inches/292 cm for:

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

·         100 lbs/45 kg and 115 linear inches/292 cm for:

o    All other destinations

·         Overweight fees will apply to musical instruments over 50 lbs / 23 kgs and 80 in / 203 cm 

The media bag rate is applicable after the customer’s personal baggage allowance is charged. For example:

·         Customer has a 1-piece (01P) baggage allowance and is checking 2 personal bags and 15 bags with media equipment

o    Customer will pay the applicable bag charges for the 2 personal bags and the media rate for the 15 media bags

For rates, contact Reservations, write to American.Support@aa.com or visit aa.com - Audio or visual equipment

PNR Documentation

 PNR must be documented with Keyword (MBAG) as a free text Other Service Information (OSI)

Media Bag OSI format information

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

·         Keyword (MBAG) MUST be followed by a dot (.)

·         00 = approximate number of qualifying media bags and/or musical instruments

·         Use MUSIC BAGS for all qualifying musical instruments being checked under the Media Bag rate

·         Add the approximate weight of bags 

Below are example formats to add the keyword per GDS (Global Distribution System). Formats can be shared at the travel agents request.

The keyword must be re-entered by the travel agent any time there is an itinerary/flight change.   

Sabre and Travelport agents must remember to remove and re-enter the OSI element each time they amend the itinerary.

Note: Each customer requesting the Media Bags rate will be required to show media credentials to the airport agent even if the PNR/confirmation code has been documented with the MBAG keyword.

Contact Reservations or write to American.Support@aa.com for any additional information.

For rates, visit aa.com - Audio or visual equipment

Updated: July 2026