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

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

Where do Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air fly from?

Virgin Atlantic's main hubs are London (LHR). Wizz Air's are Budapest (BUD). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Virgin Atlantic: SkyTeam; Wizz Air: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

VS vs W6 · 2026 comparison

Virgin Atlantic vs Wizz Air

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

Virgin Atlantic: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag. Wizz Air: The Basic fare includes only the under-seat bag.

Virgin Atlantic wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Wizz Air wins on a bigger carry-on 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

Virgin Atlantic

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Wizz Air

Wins 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Virgin Atlantic wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Wizz Air wins on a bigger carry-on and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · Wizz Air: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare · Wizz Air: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag · Wizz Air: $23–$68

Side by side

	Virgin Atlantic	Wizz Air
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 36 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$23–$68
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	None
Loyalty program	Flying Club	None
Main hubs	LHR	BUD

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

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

Virgin Atlantic includes it on every fare, while Wizz Air charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 10 kg (22 lb) on Virgin Atlantic, 10 kg (22 lb) on Wizz Air.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Virgin Atlantic, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Wizz Air.

Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK, and a first checked bag on Wizz Air costs $23–$68 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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

Wizz Air (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam and Wizz Air is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic) and none (Wizz Air).

Virgin Atlantic's main hubs are London (LHR). Wizz Air's are Budapest (BUD). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from LHR

Choose Wizz Air if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a bigger personal item
nonstops from BUD

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.