Are you packing your bag to catch a United flight? Stop and pack right! The United Airlines baggage policy has guidelines on weight, size, restricted and special items. If you fail to meet any aspect of the luggage policy, the airline can deny the bag on the flight. And personal items and carry-on and checked bags are all covered by the rules, and the allowances vary according to fare class, route, and loyalty status. It’s important to understand the nuances of weight, size, and allowances before one reaches the airport. This will help the passenger to avoid the unexpected long line-up, charges, and hassle at the airport. This is an ultimate guide for carry-on bag rules, checked baggage policy, and restricted items.
What should be the size of carry-on baggage on United Airlines?
The United Airlines baggage policy carry on allows each passenger to bring one free personal item and carry-on bag. However, the airline does not have any specified weight limit on carry-on bags as long as it easily fits the bin.
- The maximum United Airlines carry on bag size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm).
- The personal item allowance is reduced to 17 x 10 x 9 inches and must fit completely under the seat in front of you. Common personal items are laptop bags, purses, briefcases, and small backpacks.
- The total carry on bag size for United Airlines must include wheels, handles, and any external pockets.
- Your bag needs to be easy to fit in the overhead and must not cause any disruption in closing the bin.
- The gate agents carry a metal sizer near the boarding gate. So, if your United Airlines carry on bag looks big, the agent might ask to pass the bag through the metal sizer.
United Carry-On Baggage Weight & Placement
Unlike many international airlines, United does not have any official carry on bag United Airlines weight limit. The passenger carrying the luggage must easily lift the luggage and put it inside the overhead bin without assistance. Even if there is no specific weight to adhere to, an overly heavy or overstuffed bag can be flagged and gate-checked for safety reasons if a flight attendant deems it too large. Your carry-on bag will go in the overhead bin, and your personal item will go under the seat in front of you once on board.
Additionally, there are some more additional items that are not included in either allowance. The list includes a coat, an umbrella, a small camera, reading material, and a diaper bag (when traveling with kids). Liquids must conform to the 3-1-1 rule issued by TSA. The containers must be 3.4 oz. or less, and all liquids should be contained in a single quart-size container.
Does United Airlines Charge for Carry On Bags?
The United Airlines baggage policy does not impose charges on most fare types. Economy, Economy Plus, Business, and First Class fares allow one personal item and one carry-on bag for free. However, the passengers traveling on a basic economy ticket are allowed only to bring one personal item for free. If they decide to bring a carry-on bag, they must pay a gate handling fee of $45. Additionally, the airline can also charge a fee of $75 for all fare types if the personal item does not fit under the seat.
What is the United Checked Baggage Weigth Limit?
The checked baggage allowance on United Airlines allows the passenger to bring luggage of a certain weight. In any case the weight exceeds the limit, the airline will charge an overweight fee for the luggage. The weight allowance differs based on the fare type. The table below shows you the weight allowance based on the fare type.
| Cabin | Weight Allowance |
| United Economy | 50 pounds (23 kg)/per bag |
| Premium Economy | 50 pounds (23 kg)/per bag |
| United Business | 70 pounds (32 kg)/per bag |
| United First | 70 pounds (32 kg)/per bag |
| United Polaris business class | 70 pounds (32 kg)/per bag |
Additional Information:
- For the passengers holding the MileagePlus status (Premier Silver, Gold, or 1K), the maximum United Airlines baggage policy weight allowance is 32 kg per person.
- The Premier Gold members with an economy ticket can bring two complimentary bags weighing 32 kg each.
- Premier Gold members can get up to three complimentary bags weighing 32 kg each to most international routes.
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How much does United Airlines charge for luggage?
The checked baggage is not included on the United fare. Thus, the passengers will have to make a payment to add their luggage on the flight. However, the charges differ based on various factors. Here is a breakdown of the check in baggage fee for United Airlines in the table below:
| Bag / Charge | Pre-purchase online | Airport Purchase | Note |
| First checked bag | $45 | $50 | Charges apply within the U.S. |
| Second checked bag | $55 | $60 | Charges apply within the U.S. |
| Third checked bag | $200 | $200 | Most domestic routes |
| Overweight: 51-70 lbs | +$100 | +$100 | Payable above the baggage fee |
| Overweight: 71-100 lbs | +$200 | +$200 | The charges above the baggage fee |
| Oversized: 63-115 linear inches | +$200 | +$200 | Flat fee, added to bag fee |
What is the United Airlines Baggage Policy for Checked Baggage?
Whether you have a booking in Economy or First Class, the checked baggage rules United Airlines allow each passenger to bring a maximum of two pieces of luggage. No matter what cabin you have booked, you cannot bring more than two pieces of luggage on the flight. However, there can be differences in the weight and size of the luggage. And if you exceed the limit with the number, size, or dimension of the luggage, you will have to pay a penalty to the airline. Know the exact baggage allowance and pack accordingly to avoid any charges later at the airport. To pack your bags effectively, make sure to review the points below:
- If the weight for checked baggage United Airlines is above 100 lbs, the airline will not accept the baggage.
- There are certain items that are restricted by the airline to bring on the flight. If a passenger brings a restricted item, it must be left at the airport.
- The United Airlines baggage policy accepts only two bags per person. However, if you have a third bag, you can still bring it to the aircraft after paying the penalty.
- Special items and sports items can exempted from the size restriction, but the weight restriction still applies.
- The baggage must not exceed the specified dimension. The accepted United Airlines checked baggage dimensions are 62 linear inches (158 cm), including the length, width, and height.
Special Items and Sports Equipment
The passengers can fly with the sports equipment. According to the United Airlines baggage policy, the sports equipment will be counted as checked luggage. The passengers can bring the smaller sports equipment, such as rackets and tennis balls, and place it in the overhead bin. However, the larger items should be checked in as cargo in the hold.
The rules related to placing and handling the common sports equipment:
- Golf clubs: United Airlines allows the passengers to carry one set of clubs, balls, and a pair of shoes in the bag. There are no charges on oversized bags, but a fee will occur if the bag exceeds the 50 lbs (23 kg) weight limit.
- Bicycles: The bicycle must be packed inside a cardboard box, a hard-sided bicycle case, or padded bike bags. The pedals are required to be removed or turn inward. Oversized bicycles are acceptable, but a fee will be charged for overweight bikes.
- Skis / Surfboards: It is treated as standard checked baggage. The oversize fee is waived, but overweight charges may apply.
- Musical instruments: Small instruments that can fit in with the standard carry-on size will be allowed in the cabin. Larger instruments will need to be checked, and oversized cases can be a separate item. The accepted weight is about 165 pounds.
- Mobility devices: A wheelchair, cane, crutches, and other mobility devices will be transported compliantly and will not be included in your regular bag allowance.
Restricted and Prohibited Items in Your Luggage
There’s nothing more frustrating than packing a bag only to discover what is prohibited in checked or carry-on bags. Some of these restrictions are not specified under the United Airlines baggage policy but rather under TSA and federal aviation regulations. Here is a list of restricted items on a United flight:
- No flammable or hazardous materials will be allowed in any luggage such as lighter fluid, fireworks, or most aerosols.
- Lithium batteries and power banks can only be carried in a carry-on bag because of fire risk, do not put in checked bags.
- Sharp items like knives, box cutters, and any tool over seven inches long are not permitted in carry-on bags.
- Firearms and ammunition must be carried as a checked bag, unloaded, in a locked hard-sided case. Also, the owner must declare at the time of check-in.
- Liquids more than 3.4 ounces will not be permitted in carry-on bags but will typically be allowed in checked luggage if proper precautions are taken.
- Some foods that can spoil, fresh produce, and plant or animal products can also be limited for international trips.
If you aren’t sure about a particular item, it’s best to consult the TSA website or United’s own guidelines before packing it.
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Conclusion
Packing a bag for a United flight is not straightforward. There are certain rules and restrictions imposed by the airline in order to maintain space for every passenger and safety. For instance, the carry-on baggage size and weight remain the same for all fare types of United. But the United Airlines baggage policy for checked baggage differs for various types of fares. The information above will take you through the details of the United baggage policy. So the next time you fly with United, you can pack your bag confidently.
FAQs
Each passenger with United Airlines can bring up to two bags for free (one carry-on bag and one personal item). However, United Airlines does not offer free checked baggage on domestic routes.
There can be two checked bags weighing up to 23 kg each with a maximum of 62 linear inches in economy class. If you have a booking in business and first class, the baggage can weigh up to 32 kg each.
Yes, the passenger can bring both a carry-on bag and a backpack, but they must meet the size requirements.
Yes, but only for basic economy tickets. United Airlines allows only one personal item for free on basic economy fares; if they bring a carry-on bag, a checked baggage fee plus a gate handling fee of $25 might occur.
The passengers who have a basic economy booking apart from South America, across the Atlantic, or across the Pacific will not be allowed to bring complimentary large carry-on bags.
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