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

Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Aer Lingus allows the larger bag.

Where do Aer Lingus and Icelandair fly from?

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Aer Lingus and Icelandair partners?

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

EI vs FI · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs Icelandair

Q: Do Aer Lingus and Icelandair 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. Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on and a bigger personal item; Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. 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 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
A bigger personal item

Icelandair

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

Quick verdict

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on and a bigger personal item; Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm · Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · Icelandair: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · Icelandair: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	Icelandair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	None	None
Loyalty program	AerClub	Saga Club
Main hubs	DUB	KEF

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 Icelandair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Aer Lingus's is roomier.

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

Carry-on weight limits: 10 kg (22 lb) on Aer Lingus, 10 kg (22 lb) on Icelandair.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Aer Lingus, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Icelandair.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland.

Basic economy

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

Icelandair (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Aer Lingus is not in an alliance and Icelandair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and Saga Club (Icelandair).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). 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
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB

Choose Icelandair if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
nonstops from KEF

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.