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

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

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

British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Are British Airways and Ryanair partners?

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

BA vs FR · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs Ryanair

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on a bigger personal item. 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 4 categories

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

Ryanair

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

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

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 Ryanair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so British Airways's is roomier.

British Airways includes it on every fare, while Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on British Airways, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Ryanair.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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

Ryanair (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and none (Ryanair).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). 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
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

Choose Ryanair if you want…

a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB, STN

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.