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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). JetBlue: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. JetBlue: Main Base (Blue Basic until July 27, 2026) includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra, and changes cost a fee.

Which is more reliable, American or JetBlue?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and JetBlue 72.3% (1.7% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, American or JetBlue?

Standard economy legroom is about 30 in on American and about 32 in on JetBlue. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which has better Wi-Fi, American or JetBlue?

American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. JetBlue: Free Fly-Fi for everyone, no login needed.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or JetBlue?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and JetBlue 1.7%, close to a tie (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and JetBlue partners?

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

AA vs B6 · 2026 comparison

American vs JetBlue

American wins on a bigger personal item; JetBlue wins on cheaper checked bags, more legroom and better Wi-Fi access. 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 1 category

A bigger personal item

JetBlue

Wins 3 categories

Cheaper checked bags
More legroom
Better Wi-Fi access

Quick verdict

American wins on a bigger personal item; JetBlue wins on cheaper checked bags, more legroom and better Wi-Fi access. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · JetBlue: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · JetBlue: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · JetBlue: $39–$49
Standard economy legroom: American: About 30 in · JetBlue: About 32 in
Wi-Fi: American: Free for members · JetBlue: Free for everyone
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · JetBlue: 72.3%

Side by side

	American	JetBlue
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	17 × 13 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$39–$49
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 30 in	About 32 in
Wi-Fi	Free for members	Free for everyone
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	72.3%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	1.7%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	TrueBlue
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	JFK, BOS, FLL, MCO, SJU

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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 17 × 13 × 8 in (43 × 33 × 20 cm) on JetBlue.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on JetBlue costs $39–$49 on U.S., Caribbean, Latin America and Canada flights.

Basic economy

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

JetBlue (Main Base): Main Base (Blue Basic until July 27, 2026) includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra, and changes cost a fee.

Seats and Wi-Fi

American gives about 30 in of legroom in standard economy and JetBlue about 32 in, an edge for JetBlue. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra. JetBlue: About 32 in in Core, the most of the big U.S. airlines.

Wi-Fi on American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. On JetBlue: Free Fly-Fi for everyone, no login needed.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; JetBlue landed 72.3% on time and cancelled 1.7%. That's close to a tie. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and TrueBlue (JetBlue).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). JetBlue's are New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), San Juan (SJU). 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 personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose JetBlue if you want…

cheaper checked bags
more legroom
better Wi-Fi access
nonstops from JFK, BOS, FLL

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.