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

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Are British Airways and United partners?

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

BA vs UA · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs United

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

British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on and a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and 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 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · United: $45

Side by side

	British Airways	United
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	23 kg (50.7 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	MileagePlus
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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 United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so British Airways's is roomier.

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

British Airways caps carry-ons at 23 kg (50.7 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on British Airways, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

Basic economy

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

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and MileagePlus (United).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

Choose United if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.