Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Cathay or Korean Air?

Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Cathay allows the larger bag.

Do Cathay and Korean Air include a carry-on on basic economy?

Cathay: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Korean Air: Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Where do Cathay and Korean Air fly from?

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). Korean Air's are Seoul (ICN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Cathay and Korean Air partners?

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

CX vs KE · 2026 comparison

Cathay vs Korean Air

Cathay wins on a bigger carry-on; Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Cathay

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Korean Air

Wins 1 category

A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Cathay wins on a bigger carry-on; Korean Air wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · Korean Air: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Cathay: Included on every fare · Korean Air: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Cathay: 2 free bags · Korean Air: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Cathay	Korean Air
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 36 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	2 free bags	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	oneworld	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Cathay (Asia Miles)	SKYPASS
Main hubs	HKG	ICN

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

Cathay allows a carry-on up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), and Korean Air up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Cathay's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Cathay, 10 kg (22 lb) on Korean Air.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Cathay, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Korean Air.

Cathay includes two bags with Economy Essential on flights between the U.S. and Hong Kong, and Korean Air includes two bags with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Korea.

Basic economy

Cathay (Economy Light): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Korean Air (Economy): Every Economy fare includes the 10 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Cathay is in oneworld and Korean Air is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Cathay (Asia Miles) (Cathay) and SKYPASS (Korean Air).

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). Korean Air's are Seoul (ICN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Cathay if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HKG

Choose Korean Air if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ICN

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.