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

Ryanair: 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 Ryanair and SWISS fly from?

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

Are Ryanair and SWISS partners?

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

FR vs LX · 2026 comparison

Ryanair vs SWISS

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

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

Ryanair wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; SWISS wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Ryanair

Wins 2 categories

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

SWISS

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares · SWISS: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Ryanair: $20–$56 · SWISS: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Ryanair	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Costs extra on basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$20–$56	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	None	Miles & More
Main hubs	DUB, STN	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

Ryanair 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.

Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

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

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

A first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe, and SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland.

Basic economy

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

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

Loyalty programs: none (Ryanair) and Miles & More (SWISS).

Ryanair's main hubs are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Ryanair if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB, STN

Choose SWISS if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
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.

Ryanair vs SWISS FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Ryanair wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; SWISS wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags. 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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