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

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). KLM: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), up to 12 kg (26.5 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

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

British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag. KLM: The Basic fare on short-haul routes includes only a small under-seat bag. Light fares include a cabin bag but no checked bag.

Where do British Airways and KLM fly from?

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

Are British Airways and KLM partners?

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

BA vs KL · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs KLM

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; KLM 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 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

KLM

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; KLM doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · KLM: 55 × 35 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · KLM: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · KLM: 1 free bag

Side by side

	British Airways	KLM
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	55 × 35 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	23 kg (50.7 lb)	12 kg (26.5 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	Flying Blue
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	AMS

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 KLM up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), so British Airways's is roomier.

British Airways includes it on every fare, while KLM's Basic / Light can be personal-item only.

Carry-on weight limits: 23 kg (50.7 lb) on British Airways, 12 kg (26.5 lb) on KLM.

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 KLM.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and KLM includes one bag with Standard on flights between North America and Europe.

Basic economy

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

KLM (Basic / Light): The Basic fare on short-haul routes includes only a small under-seat bag. Light fares include a cabin bag but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

British Airways is in oneworld and KLM is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and Flying Blue (KLM).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). KLM's are Amsterdam (AMS). 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 carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

Choose KLM if you want…

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from AMS

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.