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

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). ITA: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Do British Airways and ITA include a carry-on on basic economy?

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

Where do British Airways and ITA fly from?

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

Are British Airways and ITA partners?

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

BA vs AZ · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs ITA

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

ITA

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · ITA: 55 × 35 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · ITA: Included on every fare

Side by side

	British Airways	ITA
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	55 × 35 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	23 kg (50.7 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	FCO

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 ITA up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 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, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on ITA.

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 ITA.

Basic economy

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

ITA (Economy Light): Economy Light includes the carry-on and a personal item but no checked bag, and boards last.

Loyalty and where they fly

British Airways is in oneworld and ITA is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and Miles & More (ITA).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). ITA's are FCO. 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 ITA if you want…

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

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.