Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Aer Lingus or American?

Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Aer Lingus allows the larger bag.

Are Aer Lingus and American partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Aer Lingus: none; American: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

EI vs AA · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs American

Q: Do Aer Lingus and American include a carry-on on basic economy?

Aer Lingus: Saver fares on European routes include only a small bag; transatlantic fares include a 10 kg carry-on. American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on; American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Aer Lingus

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

American

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on; American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm · American: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · American: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · American: $45

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	American
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	None	oneworld
Loyalty program	AerClub	AAdvantage
Main hubs	DUB	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Aer Lingus allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), and American up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Aer Lingus's is roomier.

Aer Lingus's Saver can be personal-item only, while American includes it on every fare.

Aer Lingus caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Aer Lingus, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and a first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

Aer Lingus (Saver): Saver fares on European routes include only a small bag; transatlantic fares include a 10 kg carry-on.

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Loyalty and where they fly

Aer Lingus is not in an alliance and American is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and AAdvantage (American).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). American's are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Aer Lingus if you want…

a bigger carry-on
nonstops from DUB

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.