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

Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Virgin Atlantic allows the larger bag.

Where do Icelandair and Virgin Atlantic fly from?

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Icelandair and Virgin Atlantic partners?

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

FI vs VS · 2026 comparison

Icelandair vs Virgin Atlantic

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

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

Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category; Virgin Atlantic 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

No clear category wins

Virgin Atlantic

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

Icelandair doesn't clearly win any category; Virgin Atlantic wins on a bigger carry-on. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Icelandair: Included on every fare · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Icelandair: 1 free bag · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Icelandair	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	10 kg (22 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Saga Club	Flying Club
Main hubs	KEF	LHR

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 Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), so Virgin Atlantic's is roomier.

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

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

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 Virgin Atlantic.

Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland, and Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

Basic economy

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

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

Loyalty and where they fly

Icelandair is not in an alliance and Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Saga Club (Icelandair) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Icelandair if you want…

nonstops from KEF

Choose Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from LHR

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.