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

Finnair: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Finnair allows the larger bag.

Where do Finnair and Icelandair fly from?

Finnair's main hubs are HEL. Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Finnair and Icelandair partners?

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

AY vs FI · 2026 comparison

Finnair vs Icelandair

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

Finnair: Superlight, Finnair's cheapest fare on European routes, includes only a small under-seat bag. Light and higher fares, and every long-haul fare, include an 8 kg carry-on. Finnair Plus tier members get a carry-on on Superlight too. Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Finnair wins on a bigger carry-on; Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare 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

Finnair

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Icelandair

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Finnair wins on a bigger carry-on; Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Finnair: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Finnair: Not on some basic fares · Icelandair: Included on every fare

Side by side

	Finnair	Icelandair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	Finnair Plus	Saga Club
Main hubs	HEL	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

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

Finnair's Superlight can be personal-item only, while Icelandair includes it on every fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Finnair, 10 kg (22 lb) on Icelandair.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Finnair, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Icelandair.

Basic economy

Finnair (Superlight): Superlight, Finnair's cheapest fare on European routes, includes only a small under-seat bag. Light and higher fares, and every long-haul fare, include an 8 kg carry-on. Finnair Plus tier members get a carry-on on Superlight too.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

Finnair is in oneworld and Icelandair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Finnair Plus (Finnair) and Saga Club (Icelandair).

Finnair's main hubs are HEL. Icelandair's are Reykjavík (KEF). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Finnair if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HEL

Choose Icelandair if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
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.