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

British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). Wizz Air: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

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

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

Where do British Airways and Wizz Air fly from?

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

Are British Airways and Wizz Air partners?

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

BA vs W6 · 2026 comparison

British Airways vs Wizz Air

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; Wizz Air 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

Wizz Air

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; Wizz Air 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 · Wizz Air: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: British Airways: Included on every fare · Wizz Air: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): British Airways: 1 free bag · Wizz Air: $23–$68

Side by side

	British Airways	Wizz Air
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 23 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	$23–$68
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	British Airways Club	None
Main hubs	LHR, LGW	BUD

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 Wizz Air 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 Wizz Air charges for it on its cheapest fare.

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

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 Wizz Air.

British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and a first checked bag on Wizz Air costs $23–$68 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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

Wizz Air (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

British Airways is in oneworld and Wizz Air is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: British Airways Club (British Airways) and none (Wizz Air).

British Airways's main hubs are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). Wizz Air's are Budapest (BUD). 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 Wizz Air if you want…

a bigger personal item
nonstops from BUD

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.