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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Singapore: 115 cm total (45.3 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Are American and Singapore partners?

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

AA vs SQ · 2026 comparison

American vs Singapore

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Singapore: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

American wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Singapore 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 2 categories

A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Singapore

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Singapore: 115 cm total
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Singapore: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Singapore: 2 free bags

Side by side

	American	Singapore
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	115 cm total
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	40 × 30 × 10 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	KrisFlyer
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	SIN

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 Singapore up to 115 cm total (45.3 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Singapore caps carry-ons at 7 kg (15.4 lb); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 40 × 30 × 10 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 3.9 in) on Singapore.

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

Basic economy

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

Singapore (Economy Lite): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and Singapore is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and KrisFlyer (Singapore).

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

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

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 Singapore if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from SIN

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.