---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/4fxtbpbiu6/ula-equipment-ultra-cicada/zaj208cenq/thule-aion-40l/"
title: "ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs Thule Aion 40L"
description: "ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs Thule Aion 40L: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/4fxtbpbiu6/ula-equipment-ultra-cicada/zaj208cenq/thule-aion-40l/"
---
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3.  ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Thule Aion 40L

# ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Thule Aion 40L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada](https://onebag.travel/carryon/4fxtbpbiu6/ula-equipment-ultra-cicada/)

by [ULA Equipment](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=ULA Equipment)

![Front facing view of the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990723/carryons/ula-equipment-ultra-cicada-4fxtbpbiu6.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>22 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>0.8 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>46×28×13 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>95%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$350</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada | Feature | Thule Aion 40L |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside |
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side, internal | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>ULTRA 400TX</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

## [Thule Aion 40L](https://onebag.travel/carryon/zaj208cenq/thule-aion-40l/)

by [Thule](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Thule)

![Front facing view of the Thule Aion 40L](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990324/carryons/thule-aion-40l-zaj208cenq.avif)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>40 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.5 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>52×33×23 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>70%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$200</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada and Thule Aion 40L

-   **Sternum strap:** Removable on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; Yes on the Thule Aion 40L.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 15in on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 16in on the Thule Aion 40L.
-   **Water bottle pockets:** 2, side, internal on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 1, side on the Thule Aion 40L.

Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, hip belt, built-in organizer, water resistant.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 132 accept both. 47 accept only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada, and 0 accept only the Thule Aion 40L.

### Only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.

## ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Thule Aion 40L: which should you pack?

The **Thule Aion 40L** carries 18L more than the **ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada** (22L vs. 40L), while the **ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada** is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada** fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Aion 40L; if you want to travel lighter, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the better call.