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

Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). United allows the larger bag.

Are Icelandair and United partners?

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

FI vs UA · 2026 comparison

Icelandair vs United

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

Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Icelandair wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and 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 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

United

Wins 3 categories

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

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Icelandair: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Icelandair: 1 free bag · United: $45

Side by side

	Icelandair	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Saga Club	MileagePlus
Main hubs	KEF	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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 United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so United's is roomier.

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

Icelandair caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Icelandair, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

Basic economy

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

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: Saga Club (Icelandair) and MileagePlus (United).

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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
nonstops from KEF

Choose United if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.