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

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

Are Aer Lingus and United partners?

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

EI vs UA · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs United

Q: Do Aer Lingus and United 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. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins on 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

United

Wins 2 categories

A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins on 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 · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · United: $45

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	AerClub	MileagePlus
Main hubs	DUB	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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 United 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 United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Aer Lingus, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

Basic economy

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

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Loyalty and where they fly

Aer Lingus is not in an alliance and United is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and MileagePlus (United).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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 United if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.