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

Air India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). United allows the larger bag.

Do Air India and United 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. 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.

Are Air India and United partners?

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

AI vs UA · 2026 comparison

Air India vs United

Air India wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-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 India

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

United

Wins 3 categories

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

Quick verdict

Air India wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-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 India: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air India: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Air India	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Maharaja Club	MileagePlus
Main hubs	DEL, BOM	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 India allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so United's is roomier.

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

Air India caps carry-ons at 7 kg (15.4 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Air India, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: Maharaja Club (Air India) and MileagePlus (United).

Air India's main hubs are DEL, BOM. 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 India if you want…

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

Choose United if you want…

a bigger carry-on
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.