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

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Where do British Airways and SWISS fly from?

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

Are British Airways and SWISS partners?

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

BA vs LX · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs SWISS

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

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

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

SWISS

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; SWISS 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 · SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · SWISS: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · SWISS: 1 free bag

Side by side

	British Airways	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 23 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)	8 kg (17.6 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	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	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

British Airways allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), and SWISS up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so British Airways's is roomier.

British Airways includes it on every fare, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

Carry-on weight limits: 23 kg (50.7 lb) on British Airways, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on SWISS.

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 SWISS.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland.

Basic economy

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

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

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

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

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). 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 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.