Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Iberia or Ryanair?

Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Iberia allows the larger bag.

Do Iberia and Ryanair include a carry-on on basic economy?

Iberia: Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Where do Iberia and Ryanair fly from?

Iberia's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Iberia and Ryanair partners?

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

IB vs FR · 2026 comparison

Iberia vs Ryanair

Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on 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

Iberia

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Ryanair

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Iberia: Not on some basic fares · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Iberia: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

	Iberia	Ryanair
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 40 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$20–$56
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	Iberia Club	None
Main hubs	MAD	DUB, STN

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

Iberia allows a carry-on up to 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), and Ryanair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Iberia's is roomier.

Iberia's Basic can be personal-item only, while Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 10 kg (22 lb) on Iberia, 10 kg (22 lb) on Ryanair.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Iberia, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Ryanair.

Iberia includes one bag with Optima on flights between the U.S. and Spain, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

Iberia (Basic): Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare.

Ryanair (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Iberia is in oneworld and Ryanair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Iberia Club (Iberia) and none (Ryanair).

Iberia's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Iberia if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from MAD

Choose Ryanair if you want…

a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB, STN

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.