Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air Canada or American?

Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Air Canada allows the larger bag.

Are Air Canada and American partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air Canada: Star Alliance; American: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AC vs AA · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs American

Q: Do Air Canada and American include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air Canada: Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean includes only a personal item; on other international routes it includes a carry-on. American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on; American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare 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

Air Canada

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

American

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · American: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Canada: Not on some basic fares · American: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air Canada: $45 · American: $45

Side by side

	Air Canada	American
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	43 × 33 × 16 cm	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	oneworld
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	AAdvantage
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL

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

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and American up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Air Canada's is roomier.

Air Canada's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while American includes it on every fare.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Air Canada, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American.

A first checked bag on Air Canada costs $45 on flights within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and a first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

Air Canada (Economy Basic): Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean includes only a personal item; on other international routes it includes a carry-on.

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air Canada is in Star Alliance and American is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and AAdvantage (American).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). American's are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air Canada if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from YYZ, YVR, YUL

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

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.