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

Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Singapore: 115 cm total (45.3 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Do Cathay and Singapore include a carry-on on basic economy?

Cathay: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Singapore: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Where do Cathay and Singapore fly from?

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). Singapore's are Singapore (SIN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Cathay and Singapore partners?

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

CX vs SQ · 2026 comparison

Cathay vs Singapore

Cathay wins on a bigger personal item; Singapore 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

Cathay

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Singapore

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Cathay wins on a bigger personal item; Singapore doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · Singapore: 115 cm total
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Cathay: Included on every fare · Singapore: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Cathay: 2 free bags · Singapore: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Cathay	Singapore
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 36 × 23 cm	115 cm total
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	40 × 30 × 10 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	2 free bags	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Cathay (Asia Miles)	KrisFlyer
Main hubs	HKG	SIN

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 Singapore up to 115 cm total (45.3 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 Singapore.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Cathay, and 40 × 30 × 10 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 3.9 in) on Singapore.

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

Basic economy

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

Singapore (Economy Lite): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Cathay is in oneworld and Singapore is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Cathay (Asia Miles) (Cathay) and KrisFlyer (Singapore).

Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). Singapore's are Singapore (SIN). 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 personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HKG

Choose Singapore if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from SIN

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.