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

Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Ryanair: 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 Ryanair fly from?

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Aer Lingus and Ryanair partners?

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

EI vs FR · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs Ryanair

Q: Do Aer Lingus and Ryanair 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. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair doesn't clearly win any category. 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 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Ryanair

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	Ryanair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	40 × 30 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$20–$56
Network
Alliance	None	None
Loyalty program	AerClub	None
Main hubs	DUB	DUB, STN

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 Ryanair 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 Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

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

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

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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

Ryanair (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and none (Ryanair).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). 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 carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
nonstops from DUB

Choose Ryanair if you want…

nonstops from DUB, STN

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.