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

Air India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Qatar: 50 × 37 × 25 cm (19.7 × 14.6 × 9.8 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Qatar allows the larger bag.

Do Air India and Qatar 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. Qatar: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Where do Air India and Qatar fly from?

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

Are Air India and Qatar partners?

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

AI vs QR · 2026 comparison

Air India vs Qatar

Air India doesn't clearly win any category; Qatar wins on a bigger carry-on. 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

No clear category wins

Qatar

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Air India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Qatar: 50 × 37 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air India: Included on every fare · Qatar: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Air India	Qatar
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	50 × 37 × 25 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	oneworld
Loyalty program	Maharaja Club	Privilege Club
Main hubs	DEL, BOM	DOH

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 Qatar up to 50 × 37 × 25 cm (19.7 × 14.6 × 9.8 in), so Qatar'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 Qatar.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

Air India is in Star Alliance and Qatar is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Maharaja Club (Air India) and Privilege Club (Qatar).

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

Which should you book?

Choose Air India if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from DEL, BOM

Choose Qatar if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DOH

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.