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

Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Iberia allows the larger bag.

Where do Iberia and SWISS fly from?

Iberia's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Iberia and SWISS partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Iberia: oneworld; SWISS: Star Alliance), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

IB vs LX · 2026 comparison

Iberia vs SWISS

Q: Do Iberia and SWISS include a carry-on on basic economy?

Iberia: Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare. SWISS: Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; SWISS 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

Iberia

Wins 2 categories

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

SWISS

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; SWISS doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm · SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Iberia: Not on some basic fares · SWISS: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Iberia: 1 free bag · SWISS: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Iberia	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 40 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Iberia Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	MAD	ZRH

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 SWISS up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Iberia's is roomier.

Iberia's Basic can be personal-item only, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

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

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

Iberia includes one bag with Optima on flights between the U.S. and Spain, and SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland.

Basic economy

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

SWISS (Economy Basic): Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Loyalty and where they fly

Iberia is in oneworld and SWISS is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Iberia Club (Iberia) and Miles & More (SWISS).

Iberia's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). 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 more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from MAD

Choose SWISS if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ZRH

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.

Iberia vs SWISS FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; SWISS doesn't clearly win any category. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

Deals on Iberia, SWISS and more

Whichever airline you prefer, we'll email you when fares from your home airports drop well below normal.

Get flight deals free See Premium+ plans

Free plan available · 14-day free Premium+ trial · Cancel anytime