Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Cathay or China Airlines?

Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). China Airlines: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Do Cathay and China Airlines include a carry-on on basic economy?

Cathay: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. China Airlines: Every Economy fare includes one 7 kg carry-on plus a personal item.

Where do Cathay and China Airlines fly from?

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). China Airlines's are Taipei (TPE). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Cathay and China Airlines partners?

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

CX vs CI · 2026 comparison

Cathay vs China Airlines

Cathay and China Airlines are closely matched on the things we compare. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Cathay

No clear category wins

China Airlines

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Cathay and China Airlines are closely matched on the things we compare. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · China Airlines: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Cathay: Included on every fare · China Airlines: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Cathay	China Airlines
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 36 × 23 cm	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	Must fit under the seat
Network
Alliance	oneworld	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Cathay (Asia Miles)	Dynasty Flyer
Main hubs	HKG	TPE

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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Cathay, 7 kg (15.4 lb) on China Airlines.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Cathay, and anything that fits under the seat on China Airlines.

Loyalty and where they fly

Cathay is in oneworld and China Airlines is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Cathay (Asia Miles) (Cathay) and Dynasty Flyer (China Airlines).

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). China Airlines's are Taipei (TPE). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Cathay if you want…

to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HKG

Choose China Airlines if you want…

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from TPE

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.