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

United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb).

Are United and Virgin Atlantic partners?

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

UA vs VS · 2026 comparison

United vs Virgin Atlantic

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

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

United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Virgin Atlantic 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

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Virgin Atlantic

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: United: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: United: Not on some basic fares · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): United: $45 · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	United	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	17 × 10 × 9 in	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	MileagePlus	Flying Club
Main hubs	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO	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

United allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in).

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

Virgin Atlantic caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Virgin Atlantic.

A first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights, and Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

Basic economy

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.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: MileagePlus (United) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

United's main hubs are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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 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

Choose Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
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.