Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Emirates or flydubai?

Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). flydubai: 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Do Emirates and flydubai include a carry-on on basic economy?

Emirates: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. flydubai: Lite includes the 7 kg cabin bag and a personal item but no checked bag.

Where do Emirates and flydubai fly from?

Emirates's main hubs are Dubai (DXB). flydubai's are Dubai (DXB). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Emirates and flydubai partners?

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

EK vs FZ · 2026 comparison

Emirates vs flydubai

Emirates and flydubai 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

Emirates

No clear category wins

flydubai

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Emirates and flydubai are closely matched on the things we compare. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm · flydubai: 55 × 38 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Emirates: Included on every fare · flydubai: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Emirates	flydubai
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 38 × 20 cm	55 × 38 × 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)	7 kg (15.4 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	33 × 25 × 20 cm
Network
Alliance	None	None
Loyalty program	Emirates Skywards	Emirates Skywards
Main hubs	DXB	DXB

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 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Emirates, 7 kg (15.4 lb) on flydubai.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Emirates, and 33 × 25 × 20 cm (13 × 9.8 × 7.9 in) on flydubai.

Basic economy

Emirates (Economy Special): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.

flydubai (Lite): Lite includes the 7 kg cabin bag and a personal item but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Emirates is not in an alliance and flydubai is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Emirates Skywards (Emirates) and Emirates Skywards (flydubai).

Emirates's main hubs are Dubai (DXB). flydubai's are Dubai (DXB). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Emirates if you want…

nonstops from DXB

Choose flydubai if you want…

nonstops from DXB

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.