Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air NZ or Cathay?

Air NZ: 118 cm total (46.5 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Do Air NZ and Cathay include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air NZ: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Cathay: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Where do Air NZ and Cathay fly from?

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Cathay's are Hong Kong (HKG). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air NZ and Cathay partners?

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

NZ vs CX · 2026 comparison

Air NZ vs Cathay

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Cathay wins on cheaper checked bags. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Air NZ

No clear category wins

Cathay

Wins 1 category

Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Cathay wins on cheaper checked bags. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Air NZ: 118 cm total · Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air NZ: Included on every fare · Cathay: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air NZ: 1 free bag · Cathay: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Air NZ	Cathay
Bags
Carry-on size	118 cm total	56 × 36 × 23 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	Must fit under the seat	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	oneworld
Loyalty program	Airpoints	Cathay (Asia Miles)
Main hubs	AKL	HKG

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 NZ allows a carry-on up to 118 cm total (46.5 in), and Cathay up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Air NZ, 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Cathay.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Air NZ, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Cathay.

Air NZ includes one bag with Seat+Bag on flights between the U.S. and New Zealand, and Cathay includes two bags with Economy Essential on flights between the U.S. and Hong Kong.

Basic economy

Air NZ (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Cathay (Economy Light): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air NZ is in Star Alliance and Cathay is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Airpoints (Air NZ) and Cathay (Asia Miles) (Cathay).

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Cathay's are Hong Kong (HKG). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air NZ if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from AKL

Choose Cathay if you want…

cheaper checked bags
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HKG

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.

Air NZ vs Cathay FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Cathay wins on cheaper checked bags. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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