Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Austrian or SWISS?

Austrian: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb).

Do Austrian and SWISS include a carry-on on basic economy?

Austrian: Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul flights includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm). You can buy a carry-on online, but not at the airport; Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on. SWISS: Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Where do Austrian and SWISS fly from?

Austrian's main hubs are VIE. SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Austrian and SWISS partners?

Yes. Both belong to Star Alliance, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

OS vs LX · 2026 comparison

Austrian vs SWISS

Austrian and SWISS are closely matched on the things we compare. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Austrian

No clear category wins

SWISS

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Austrian and SWISS are closely matched on the things we compare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Austrian: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Austrian: Not on some basic fares · SWISS: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Austrian	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Miles & More
Main hubs	VIE	ZRH

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 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in).

Austrian's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

Carry-on weight limits: 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Austrian, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on SWISS.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Austrian, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on SWISS.

Basic economy

Austrian (Economy Basic): Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul flights includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm). You can buy a carry-on online, but not at the airport; Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on.

SWISS (Economy Basic): Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are Star Alliance members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: Miles & More (Austrian) and Miles & More (SWISS).

Austrian's main hubs are VIE. SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Austrian if you want…

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

Choose SWISS if you want…

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

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.