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

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

Do Aer Lingus and Delta 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. Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Are Aer Lingus and Delta partners?

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

EI vs DL · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs Delta

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on; Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. 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

Delta

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

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

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

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	Delta
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	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	None	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	AerClub	SkyMiles
Main hubs	DUB	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK

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 Delta 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 Delta includes it on every fare.

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Aer Lingus, and anything that fits under the seat on Delta.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and a first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. 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.

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Loyalty and where they fly

Aer Lingus is not in an alliance and Delta is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and SkyMiles (Delta).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Delta's are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). 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 Delta if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

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.