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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Iberia allows the larger bag.

Do American and Iberia include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Iberia: Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare.

Are American and Iberia partners?

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

AA vs IB · 2026 comparison

American vs Iberia

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

Iberia

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; Iberia 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 · Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Iberia: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Iberia: 1 free bag

Side by side

	American	Iberia
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	56 × 40 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	oneworld	oneworld
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Iberia Club
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	MAD

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 Iberia up to 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), so Iberia's is roomier.

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

Iberia caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 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 Iberia.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and Iberia includes one bag with Optima on flights between the U.S. and Spain.

Basic economy

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

Iberia (Basic): Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Iberia Club (Iberia).

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

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

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.