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

Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 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).

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

Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Where do Icelandair and Ryanair fly from?

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

Are Icelandair and Ryanair partners?

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

FI vs FR · 2026 comparison

Icelandair vs Ryanair

Icelandair wins 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

Icelandair

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Ryanair

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Icelandair wins 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: Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Icelandair: Included on every fare · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Icelandair: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

	Icelandair	Ryanair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	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	None	None
Loyalty program	Saga Club	None
Main hubs	KEF	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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in).

Icelandair includes it on every fare, while Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

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

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

Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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

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

Loyalty and where they fly

Icelandair is not in an alliance and Ryanair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Saga Club (Icelandair) and none (Ryanair).

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). 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 Icelandair if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
nonstops from KEF

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.