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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). American allows the larger bag.

Are American and Icelandair partners?

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

AA vs FI · 2026 comparison

American vs Icelandair

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

American wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category. 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 bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Icelandair

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

American wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Icelandair: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Icelandair: 1 free bag

Side by side

	American	Icelandair
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
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	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Saga Club
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	KEF

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 Icelandair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so American's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Icelandair 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 Icelandair.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland.

Basic economy

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

Icelandair (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and Icelandair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Saga Club (Icelandair).

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

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a bigger carry-on
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 Icelandair if you want…

nonstops from KEF

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.