Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, SunExpress or Turkish?

SunExpress: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Turkish: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb).

Where do SunExpress and Turkish fly from?

SunExpress's main hubs are AYT, IZM. Turkish's are Istanbul (IST). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are SunExpress and Turkish partners?

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

XQ vs TK · 2026 comparison

SunExpress vs Turkish

Q: Do SunExpress and Turkish include a carry-on on basic economy?

SunExpress: SunLight includes only a 4 kg under-seat bag; the 8 kg cabin bag comes with SunValue and higher fares, or as an add-on. Turkish: EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

SunExpress wins on a bigger personal item; Turkish wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

SunExpress

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Turkish

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

Quick verdict

SunExpress wins on a bigger personal item; Turkish wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: SunExpress: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Turkish: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: SunExpress: Costs extra on basic fares · Turkish: Included on every fare

Side by side

	SunExpress	Turkish
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Costs extra on basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	None	Miles&Smiles
Main hubs	AYT, IZM	IST

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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in).

SunExpress charges for it on its cheapest fare, while Turkish includes it on every fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 8 kg (17.6 lb) on SunExpress, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Turkish.

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

Basic economy

SunExpress (SunLight): SunLight includes only a 4 kg under-seat bag; the 8 kg cabin bag comes with SunValue and higher fares, or as an add-on.

Turkish (EcoFly): EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

Loyalty and where they fly

SunExpress is not in an alliance and Turkish is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: none (SunExpress) and Miles&Smiles (Turkish).

SunExpress's main hubs are AYT, IZM. Turkish's are Istanbul (IST). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose SunExpress if you want…

a bigger personal item
nonstops from AYT, IZM

Choose Turkish if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from IST

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.