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

Norse: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Norse allows the larger bag.

Are Norse and United partners?

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

N0 vs UA · 2026 comparison

Norse vs United

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

Norse: Economy Light includes a personal item and, when you book directly with Norse, a 10 kg carry-on. Checked bags cost extra; Economy Classic includes one. 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.

Norse wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins 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

Norse

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

Norse wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins 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: Norse: 56 × 45 × 25 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Norse: Not on some basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Norse	United
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 45 × 25 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	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
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	None	MileagePlus
Main hubs	OSL, LGW	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

Norse allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Norse's is roomier.

Norse's Economy Light can be personal-item only, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

Norse 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 Norse, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Basic economy

Norse (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a personal item and, when you book directly with Norse, a 10 kg carry-on. Checked bags cost extra; Economy Classic includes one.

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

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

Loyalty programs: none (Norse) and MileagePlus (United).

Norse's main hubs are OSL, London Gatwick (LGW). 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 Norse if you want…

a bigger carry-on
nonstops from OSL, LGW

Choose United if you want…

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.

Norse vs United FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Norse wins on a bigger carry-on; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. 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.

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