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

Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 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). SWISS allows the larger bag.

Where do Icelandair and SWISS fly from?

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

Are Icelandair and SWISS partners?

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

FI vs LX · 2026 comparison

Icelandair vs SWISS

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

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

Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; SWISS wins on a bigger carry-on. 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
A more generous carry-on weight limit

SWISS

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Icelandair: Included on every fare · SWISS: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Icelandair: 1 free bag · SWISS: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Icelandair	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	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	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Saga Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	KEF	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

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

Icelandair includes it on every fare, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

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

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

Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland, and SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland.

Basic economy

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

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

Icelandair is not in an alliance and SWISS is in Star Alliance.

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

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). 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
a more generous carry-on weight limit
nonstops from KEF

Choose SWISS if you want…

a bigger carry-on
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.