Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Delta or Icelandair?

Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Delta allows the larger bag.

Are Delta and Icelandair partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Delta: SkyTeam; Icelandair: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

DL vs FI · 2026 comparison

Delta vs Icelandair

Q: Do Delta and Icelandair include a carry-on on basic economy?

Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra. Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Delta wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Icelandair 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

Delta

Wins 2 categories

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

Icelandair

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Delta wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Delta: Included on every fare · Icelandair: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Delta: $45 · Icelandair: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Delta	Icelandair
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	None
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	Saga Club
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	KEF

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

Delta allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and Icelandair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Delta's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Icelandair caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); Delta publishes no limit.

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

A first checked bag on Delta costs $45 on U.S. and short-haul international flights, and Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland.

Basic economy

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. Checked bags cost extra.

Icelandair (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Delta is in SkyTeam and Icelandair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and Saga Club (Icelandair).

Delta's main hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Delta if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

Choose Icelandair if you want…

nonstops from KEF

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.