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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Korean Air: 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 Korean Air partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; Korean Air: SkyTeam), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs KE · 2026 comparison

American vs Korean Air

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Korean Air: Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

American wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Korean Air 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

Korean Air

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; Korean Air doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Korean Air: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Korean Air: 2 free bags

Side by side

	American	Korean Air
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	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	oneworld	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	SKYPASS
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	ICN

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 Korean Air 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.

Korean Air 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 Korean Air.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and Korean Air includes two bags with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Korea.

Basic economy

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

Korean Air (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and Korean Air is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and SKYPASS (Korean Air).

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

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ICN

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.