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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm). Southwest allows the larger bag.

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Southwest: Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Which is more reliable, American or Southwest?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and Southwest 77.8% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, American or Southwest?

Standard economy legroom is about 30 in on American and about 31 in on Southwest. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which has better Wi-Fi, American or Southwest?

American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. Southwest: Free for Rapid Rewards members since October 2025.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or Southwest?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and Southwest 0.8%, so Southwest had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and Southwest partners?

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

AA vs WN · 2026 comparison

American vs Southwest

American wins on a bigger personal item; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-on, more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. 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

Southwest

Wins 4 categories

A bigger carry-on
More legroom
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

American wins on a bigger personal item; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-on, more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Southwest: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Southwest: $45
Standard economy legroom: American: About 30 in · Southwest: About 31 in
Wi-Fi: American: Free for members · Southwest: Free for members
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · Southwest: 77.8%

Side by side

	American	Southwest
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	24 × 16 × 10 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	16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 30 in	About 31 in
Wi-Fi	Free for members	Free for members
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	77.8%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Rapid Rewards
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	DEN, LAS, MDW, BWI, DAL

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 Southwest up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), so Southwest's is roomier.

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 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm) on Southwest.

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 Southwest costs $45 on flights within the U.S. mainland.

Basic economy

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

Southwest (Basic): Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Seats and Wi-Fi

American gives about 30 in of legroom in standard economy and Southwest about 31 in, an edge for Southwest. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra. Southwest: 31 in standard since assigned seating began; Extra Legroom rows 34–36 in.

Wi-Fi on American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. On Southwest: Free for Rapid Rewards members since October 2025.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; Southwest landed 77.8% on time and cancelled 0.8%. That makes Southwest the more punctual of the two. 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 Southwest is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Rapid Rewards (Southwest).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Southwest's are Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago (MDW), Baltimore (BWI), Dallas (DAL). 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 Southwest if you want…

a bigger carry-on
more legroom
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
nonstops from DEN, LAS, MDW

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.