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

Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Aer Lingus allows the larger bag.

Where do Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic fly from?

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic partners?

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

EI vs VS · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs Virgin Atlantic

Q: Do Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic 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. Virgin Atlantic: 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; Virgin Atlantic 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

Virgin Atlantic

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; Virgin Atlantic 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 · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	56 × 36 × 23 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	AerClub	Flying Club
Main hubs	DUB	LHR

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 Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), so Aer Lingus's is roomier.

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

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

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 Virgin Atlantic.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

Basic economy

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

Virgin Atlantic (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 Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). 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 Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from LHR

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.