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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb).

Are American and Virgin Atlantic partners?

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

AA vs VS · 2026 comparison

American vs Virgin Atlantic

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

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

American wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Virgin Atlantic 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

Virgin Atlantic

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	American	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	56 × 36 × 23 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Flying Club
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	LHR

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 Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Virgin Atlantic 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 Virgin Atlantic.

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

Basic economy

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

Virgin Atlantic (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 Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). 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 Virgin Atlantic if you want…

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from LHR

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.