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

SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). SWISS allows the larger bag.

Where do SWISS and Virgin Atlantic fly from?

SWISS's main hubs are Zurich (ZRH). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are SWISS and Virgin Atlantic partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (SWISS: Star Alliance; Virgin Atlantic: SkyTeam), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

LX vs VS · 2026 comparison

SWISS vs Virgin Atlantic

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

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

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

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

SWISS

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Virgin Atlantic

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

SWISS wins on a bigger carry-on; Virgin Atlantic wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: SWISS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: SWISS: Not on some basic fares · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): SWISS: 1 free bag · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	SWISS	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 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	Star Alliance	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Flying Club
Main hubs	ZRH	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

SWISS allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), so SWISS's is roomier.

SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while Virgin Atlantic includes it on every fare.

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on SWISS, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Virgin Atlantic.

SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland, and Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

Basic economy

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.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

SWISS is in Star Alliance and Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Miles & More (SWISS) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

SWISS's main hubs are Zurich (ZRH). 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 SWISS if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ZRH

Choose Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
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.