United Airlines Baggage Policy: Your Guide to Carry-On and Checked Baggage
Regular economy basic fares for United Airlines baggage policy include:
- 1 personal item free of cost.
- 1 carry-on item free of cost.
- Carry-on baggage.
- Fees will be applicable on checked baggage / hold luggage if the number of per bags increased
- Charges will be imposed on overweight and oversize bags depending on the weight and size categories.
- Passengers have to pay the fees on certain sports types of equipment.
United Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy
1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) and 1 carry-on bag is permitted without paying any fees.
Following size and weight restrictions on carry-on bags:
- 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23cm) including wheels and handles.
- Put in the available space under the seat in front of you or overhead bin.
Following size and weight restrictions on Personal items:
- 36 linear inches (16 x 11 x 8in) or 89 centimeters (41 x 28 x 20cm)
- Put in the available space under the seat in front of you or overhead bin.
- Carry-on does not count items such as; a jacket, umbrella, diaper bags, duty-free items, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraint seats, etc) except Diaper bags.
NOTE: There is no under-seat storage on Bulkhead seats, therefore, during take-off, all carry-on baggage must be stowed in the overhead bin.
United Airlines Checked Baggage/Hold Baggage Policy
- 2 Bags Standard (fees will be applicable on economy fare class)
- 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height) is the maximum dimensions.
- 50 pounds or 23 kilograms is the maximum weight.
United Airlines Baggage Fee
Fees are applicable depending on the type of fare you purchased, and your destination if you have a United Airlines sponsored credit/charge card, if you are an active US military personnel and/or dependent, if you have a status with United Airlines’ frequent program, status, with an affiliated carrier.
Fee Allowance for standard checked baggage/hold luggage:
- USD 35 for the First Bag.
- USD 45 for the Second Bag.
- On each additional bag or third USD 150 will be charged.
NOTE: You have to prepay (more than 24 before departure) if you add up to 2 checked bags and on each of the first 2 checked bags you will receive USD 5.
International flights
If you are flying to/from US international flights with standard checked baggage/hold luggage there is no fee on the first bag but USD 100 on the second. USD 60 will be charged for the first bag on international basic economy checked baggage/hold baggage and USD 100 for the second bag. Two bags checked in are allowed on some routes and you can calculate the fees per route via United Airlines Baggage Calculator.
United Airlines’ excess baggage fee
USD 150 will be charged by United Airlines for the third bag and additional bags based on the route. For more exact fees visit the official website and
NOTE: the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and South America have permanent and time-period baggage embargoes to and from specific destinations.
United Airlines Overweight Baggage Fee
Fees will be applicable on bags heavier than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms.
- USD 100 to USD 200 will be charged per extra bag if it is 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 32 kilograms.
- USD 400 will be charged extra per bag it is 71 to 100 pounds and 33 to 46 kilograms.
- Checked Baggage/ Hold Luggage bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted.
- USD 200 to USD 400 will be charged on flights to/from the US range and visit the official website for the exact fee.
United Airlines Oversize Baggage Fee
USD 200 will be charged for extra bags by United Airlines if they are from 63 to 115 linear inches or from 160 to 292 centimeters. Checked baggage/ Hold luggage will not be accepted if the bags are greater than 115 linear inches or 292 centimeters.
United Airlines Sports Equipment Fee
United Airlines will accept sports equipment such as; skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, and hockey, and lacrosse equipment are considered one item. USD 30 will be charged as a starting fee and the larger equipment cost will start from USD 150. Visit the official website, check the sports equipment section of the baggage information
CPAP Devices
You are allowed to board the flight with a portable electronic personal ventilator, respirators, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines but these all have to be verified by a manufactures’ label or otherwise that units meet applicable FAA requirements. To use a ventilator, respirator, or CPAP machine on board you have to notify the accessibility desk in advance.