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

Condor: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Condor allows the larger bag.

Are Condor and United partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Condor: none; United: Star Alliance), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

DE vs UA · 2026 comparison

Condor vs United

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

Condor: Economy Light includes only the personal item on most routes; the cabin bag can be added for a fee. Higher fares include it. 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.

Condor wins on a bigger carry-on; 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

Condor

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

Condor wins on a bigger carry-on; 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: Condor: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Condor: Not on some basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Condor	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	None	MileagePlus
Main hubs	FRA	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

Condor allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Condor's is roomier.

Condor's Economy Light can be personal-item only, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

Condor caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); United publishes no limit.

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

Basic economy

Condor (Economy Light): Economy Light includes only the personal item on most routes; the cabin bag can be added for a fee. Higher fares include it.

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

Condor is not in an alliance and United is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: none (Condor) and MileagePlus (United).

Condor's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA). 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 Condor if you want…

a bigger carry-on
nonstops from FRA

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.

Condor vs United FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Condor wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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