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

Air NZ: 118 cm total (46.5 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb).

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

Air NZ: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Korean Air: Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Where do Air NZ and Korean Air fly from?

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Korean Air's are Seoul (ICN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air NZ and Korean Air partners?

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

NZ vs KE · 2026 comparison

Air NZ vs Korean Air

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and 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

Korean Air

Wins 2 categories

A more generous carry-on weight limit
Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

Air NZ doesn't clearly win any category; Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Air NZ: 118 cm total · Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air NZ: Included on every fare · Korean Air: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air NZ: 1 free bag · Korean Air: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Air NZ	Korean Air
Bags
Carry-on size	118 cm total	55 × 40 × 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)	10 kg (22 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Airpoints	SKYPASS
Main hubs	AKL	ICN

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 Korean Air up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Air NZ, 10 kg (22 lb) on Korean Air.

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

Air NZ includes one bag with Seat+Bag on flights between the U.S. and New Zealand, and Korean Air includes two bags with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Korea.

Basic economy

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

Korean Air (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air NZ is in Star Alliance and Korean Air is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Airpoints (Air NZ) and SKYPASS (Korean Air).

Air NZ's main hubs are Auckland (AKL). Korean Air's are Seoul (ICN). 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 Korean Air if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ICN

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.