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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Finnair: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Finnair allows the larger bag.

Are American and Finnair partners?

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

AA vs AY · 2026 comparison

American vs Finnair

Q: Do American and Finnair include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Finnair: Superlight, Finnair's cheapest fare on European routes, includes only a small under-seat bag. Light and higher fares, and every long-haul fare, include an 8 kg carry-on. Finnair Plus tier members get a carry-on on Superlight too.

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

Finnair

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; Finnair 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 · Finnair: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Finnair: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	American	Finnair
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	55 × 40 × 23 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	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	oneworld	oneworld
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Finnair Plus
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	HEL

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 Finnair up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Finnair's is roomier.

American includes it on every fare, while Finnair's Superlight can be personal-item only.

Finnair 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 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Finnair.

Basic economy

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

Finnair (Superlight): Superlight, Finnair's cheapest fare on European routes, includes only a small under-seat bag. Light and higher fares, and every long-haul fare, include an 8 kg carry-on. Finnair Plus tier members get a carry-on on Superlight too.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Finnair Plus (Finnair).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Finnair's are HEL. 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 Finnair if you want…

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

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.