Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, American or El Al?

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). El Al: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). El Al allows the larger bag.

Do American and El Al include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. El Al: Lite fares to and from the U.S. include the 8 kg carry-on but no checked bag. On European and UAE routes, Lite passengers have to check their carry-on.

Are American and El Al partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; El Al: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs LY · 2026 comparison

American vs El Al

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; El Al 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

American

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

El Al

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; El Al wins on a bigger carry-on. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · El Al: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · El Al: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	American	El Al
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	38 × 30 × 18 cm
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Matmid
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	TLV

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

American allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and El Al up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), so El Al's is roomier.

American includes it on every fare, while El Al's Lite can be personal-item only.

El Al caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 38 × 30 × 18 cm (15 × 11.8 × 7.1 in) on El Al.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

El Al (Lite): Lite fares to and from the U.S. include the 8 kg carry-on but no checked bag. On European and UAE routes, Lite passengers have to check their carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and El Al is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Matmid (El Al).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). El Al's are TLV. The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose El Al if you want…

a bigger carry-on
nonstops from TLV

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.

American vs El Al FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; El Al wins on a bigger carry-on. 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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