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

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

Are Air Canada and United partners?

Yes. Both belong to Star Alliance, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

AC vs UA · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs United

Q: Do Air Canada and United 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. 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.

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins on 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

United

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

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

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

Side by side

	Air Canada	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 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	None published	None published
Personal item	43 × 33 × 16 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	MileagePlus
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	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

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and United 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 United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Air Canada, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

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 United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean 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.

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

Both are Star Alliance members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and MileagePlus (United).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). 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 Air Canada if you want…

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

Choose United if you want…

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.