Southwest Airlines vs American Airlines: hand luggage and carry-on compared
Two airlines, two sets of rules. Here they are side by side.
Southwest Airlines vs American Airlines
Southwest Airlines is the more generous of the two: 61 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm against 55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm on American Airlines. A bag that fits American Airlines will fit Southwest Airlines.
| Southwest Airlines | American Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin bag size | 61 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm | 55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm |
| Cabin bag weight | no weight limit published | no weight limit published |
| Cabin bag included? | Yes | Yes |
| Small bag size | not published | 45.7 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm |
| Small bag included? | Yes | Yes |
Check your own bag against both
Both sets of figures come from the airlines' own websites and were checked on 20 September 2026. See the full rules for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.