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

Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm). Southwest allows the larger bag.

Are Air Canada and Southwest partners?

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

AC vs WN · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs Southwest

Q: Do Air Canada and Southwest 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. Southwest: Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Air Canada doesn't clearly win any category; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-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

No clear category wins

Southwest

Wins 3 categories

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

Quick verdict

Air Canada doesn't clearly win any category; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-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 · Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Canada: Not on some basic fares · Southwest: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air Canada: $45 · Southwest: $45

Side by side

	Air Canada	Southwest
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	24 × 16 × 10 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	16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	Rapid Rewards
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	DEN, LAS, MDW, BWI, DAL

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 Southwest up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), so Southwest's is roomier.

Air Canada's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while Southwest 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 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm) on Southwest.

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 Southwest costs $45 on flights within the U.S. mainland.

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.

Southwest (Basic): Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air Canada is in Star Alliance and Southwest is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and Rapid Rewards (Southwest).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). Southwest's are Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago (MDW), Baltimore (BWI), Dallas (DAL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air Canada if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from YYZ, YVR, YUL

Choose Southwest if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DEN, LAS, MDW

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.