Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, British Airways or Icelandair?

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Where do British Airways and Icelandair fly from?

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are British Airways and Icelandair partners?

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

BA vs FI · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs Icelandair

Q: Do British Airways and Icelandair include a carry-on on basic economy?

British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag. Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Icelandair 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

British Airways

Wins 2 categories

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

Icelandair

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · Icelandair: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · Icelandair: 1 free bag

Side by side

	British Airways	Icelandair
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	23 kg (50.7 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	Saga Club
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	KEF

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

British Airways allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), and Icelandair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so British Airways's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 23 kg (50.7 lb) on British Airways, 10 kg (22 lb) on Icelandair.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on British Airways, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Icelandair.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland.

Basic economy

British Airways (Basic (hand baggage only)): Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag.

Icelandair (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

British Airways is in oneworld and Icelandair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and Saga Club (Icelandair).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose British Airways if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

Choose Icelandair if you want…

nonstops from KEF

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.