Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air India or Emirates?

Air India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Air India allows the larger bag.

Do Air India and Emirates include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air India: Economy includes one 7 kg carry-on (115 cm in total) plus a personal item of up to 3 kg. Emirates: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Where do Air India and Emirates fly from?

Air India's main hubs are DEL, BOM. Emirates's are Dubai (DXB). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air India and Emirates partners?

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

AI vs EK · 2026 comparison

Air India vs Emirates

Air India wins on a bigger carry-on; Emirates doesn't clearly win any category. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Air India

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Emirates

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Air India wins on a bigger carry-on; Emirates doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Air India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air India: Included on every fare · Emirates: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Air India	Emirates
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	55 × 38 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	Must fit under the seat
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Maharaja Club	Emirates Skywards
Main hubs	DEL, BOM	DXB

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 India allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), and Emirates up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), so Air India's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Air India, 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Emirates.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Air India, and anything that fits under the seat on Emirates.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air India is in Star Alliance and Emirates is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Maharaja Club (Air India) and Emirates Skywards (Emirates).

Air India's main hubs are DEL, BOM. Emirates's are Dubai (DXB). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air India if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from DEL, BOM

Choose Emirates if you want…

nonstops from DXB

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.