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

Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), up to 7 kg (15.4 lb). Turkish: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Turkish allows the larger bag.

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

Emirates: Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on. Turkish: EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

Where do Emirates and Turkish fly from?

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

Are Emirates and Turkish partners?

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

EK vs TK · 2026 comparison

Emirates vs Turkish

Emirates doesn't clearly win any category; Turkish wins on a bigger carry-on and 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

Emirates

No clear category wins

Turkish

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Emirates: 55 × 38 × 20 cm · Turkish: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Emirates: Included on every fare · Turkish: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Emirates: 2 free bags · Turkish: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Emirates	Turkish
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 38 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	7 kg (15.4 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	2 free bags	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Emirates Skywards	Miles&Smiles
Main hubs	DXB	IST

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

Emirates allows a carry-on up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in), and Turkish up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Turkish's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Carry-on weight limits: 7 kg (15.4 lb) on Emirates, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Turkish.

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

Emirates includes two bags with Economy Saver on flights between the U.S. and Dubai, and Turkish includes two bags with ExtraFly on flights between the U.S. and Türkiye.

Basic economy

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

Turkish (EcoFly): EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

Loyalty and where they fly

Emirates is not in an alliance and Turkish is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Emirates Skywards (Emirates) and Miles&Smiles (Turkish).

Emirates's main hubs are Dubai (DXB). Turkish's are Istanbul (IST). 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 Turkish if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from IST

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.