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

Air Europa: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Air Europa allows the larger bag.

Are Air Europa and United partners?

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

UX vs UA · 2026 comparison

Air Europa vs United

Q: Do Air Europa and United include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air Europa: Lite includes the carry-on and a personal item but no checked bag; Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag. 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 Europa wins on a bigger carry-on and a carry-on on its cheapest fare; 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

Air Europa

Wins 2 categories

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

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

Air Europa wins on a bigger carry-on and a carry-on on its cheapest fare; 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: Air Europa: 55 × 35 × 25 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Europa: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Air Europa	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 35 × 25 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	SUMA	MileagePlus
Main hubs	MAD	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 Europa allows a carry-on up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Air Europa's is roomier.

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

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Air Europa, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Basic economy

Air Europa (Lite): Lite includes the carry-on and a personal item but no checked bag; Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag.

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

Air Europa is in SkyTeam and United is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: SUMA (Air Europa) and MileagePlus (United).

Air Europa's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). 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 Europa if you want…

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

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.